Why We Collaborated with WHAM
Why Carmien Collaborated with WHAM
The organisers of WHAM saw the need within the Cape outdoor community for women to create a space for women to feel comfortable and capable in their outdoor activities. When women gather without the allies, something beautiful happens. Subtle competitiveness falls away, lightness floats around, a quiet power is awakened, acknowledging the inner child and being unapologetically women. I have witnessed this within my community in the North, so for me to be able to help make something like this come to life in the South is an honour.
Why Anj Collaborated with WHAM
WHAM invited a space for community, new experiences and time outside with new and interesting people. It felt like the right community to step into and be a part of because of the love and psych it was built on. We were lucky enough to be invited to set up the 55m highline and share our knowledge about slacklining. We were confident that with our experience, we could allow other women to explore this form of exposure, fear, balance and experience something extraordinary.
Initial Thoughts and Expectations
Anj:
In the beginning, I thought that this event, because it was the first one and seemed to be catered for more beginner climbers, was going to be a casual, low-key get together with too many activities… OH, was I wrong! I fully underestimated the experience and thoughtful nature of the organisers.
The Highline Rig
Carmien and Anj:
Highlining and slacklining were not part of the original vision for WHAM, but wow, it was a beautiful addition.
This particular line was bolted in 2020 by Southern highliners Cary and Andy. While they bolted it, they did not rig it, and no one else had rigged it before Anj and me.
A huge thank you to the highlining community of the South for allowing Anj and me to come down from the North to rig this highline. Massive respect to the bolters; it is a beautiful line. We are extremely grateful to have been welcomed by you all! Thank you.
The line gave us small challenges here and there. We had to walk the line across, which led to some interesting times, climbing up and down some big boulders and the “death slab”, renamed the “fun slab” a few times. The line getting stuck on chicken heads every 5 seconds definitely tested patience, but most notable were the weather conditions. Strong winds started up as we were preparing to tension the line; in the end, we had to leave it untensioned for another day.
Despite the little challenges, we got it rigged in good time, and we could facilitate our workshop with the best weather conditions we could have hoped for, and so much psych from those in attendance.
Start of the Event
Anj:
Women started arriving, new faces, lots of new names. Everyone filtering into and out of the kitchen, slowly exchanging nods and a few words. The second facilitated experience was a beautiful sound journey, 40 women lying under the red stretch tent listening to Julie play these calming sounds from flutes, string instruments, and wind chimes along with her voice. It was a lovely start to the night and to WHAM as a whole. As the sun started to set, the fires started to glow, and naturally, everyone gathered around, and that’s where it all started. The conversations that broke the ice, the stories shared and the laughs which turned strangers into friends. Naadirah, one of the organisers, wrote out some questions assigned to specific people; everyone had their name tags on and got handed a piece of paper with 3 questions and 3 names, which allowed for new connections to form very quickly. As the night flowed on, everyone felt so friendly and open that it was hard to go to bed.
Strangers to Friends
Carmien:
Coming from varied levels of outdoor activities, different lifestyles and age groups. But none of that was ever something that defined any of us.
The energy that each woman carried with them was radiant and transferable. No matter how you felt before you introduced yourself, when you walked up to someone, you instantly got engulfed by their energy. Even if you saw someone from far away, there was this magnetic field that pulled women towards each other. It was magical.
Most of the women had never met before or even seen each other around, yet everyone felt so familiar. Their spirit felt as if you had known each other for years. Friendships and connections formed in a matter of seconds and kept on building throughout the weekend, and now we will have those for years to come.
It was one of the reasons it was so sad and hard to say goodbye. You meet these strangers, you spend a whole weekend together frolicking in the mountains and connect so deeply, and now you have to say goodbye.
But how beautiful will that “hello” be next time we see each other!
Bouldering in Rocklands
Anj:
Wehhehha bouldering is scary and hard! For many, it was their first time ever trying bouldering, so Mish and Becks showed them the way. Warming up well, learning how to spot friends and then they started climbing some boulders in the backyard of Basecamp. The psych was through the roof as one after another these women topped out on their first ever rock using their body in a way it’s never been used before, unlocking strength and new skills.
The women who had bouldered before joined the other facilitators to learn about how to project. It’s something you think about, but I never really imagined projecting something for more than a month, and now it seems like a possibility and a good challenge. It was super cool climbing with really strong women, we took turns trying boulders and figuring out beta that worked for us till either our skin or muscles failed.
Workshops & Womxn
Carmien:
The workshops perfectly reflect what the Cederberg has to offer, and the facilitators were beautifully chosen. Strong women bringing gees for each of their workshops, from yoga and meditation, to climbing, trail running and highlining, to Lino cutting and medicinal plant walks.
So many options were available to accommodate your energy levels at the time and do something amongst women whilst playing in nature. The workshops allowed time and space to tap into the different aspects we all carry. To be confident, strong, creative, to try hard, to soften, to let go and make room, moving our bodies how they needed to in the moment, to heal, to teach and be taught, to be resilient and courageous, to be brave. All while surrounded by the feminine.
Everyone had their hearts and minds open to all that was going on around them. Seeing and hearing, learning and observing as we moved through the weekend.
Women inspired those around them and taught each other things that will be carried for years to come. Small moments turned into gifts, witnessing the power in each other and igniting a fire within themselves and others.
The Power of Community and the Fem
Anj:
At the end of the weekend, we all sat under the red stretch tent, where it all came together. We spoke openly, sharing our favourite moments, expressing gratitude to those who taught us something new, feelings of frustration and fear, enjoying the freedom of watching and not feeling forced to do anything, lessons learnt, growth experienced and memories created.
It’s really hard to paint a picture of how everyone was feeling and all the experiences created in such a short space of time, especially when you’re sitting in this circle of women crying at the beauty and power that a space and its people can hold.
I think the root of WHAM and similar spaces digs into the natural need for more community, freedom of movement, open conversations and this longing for more time spent together in spaces that don’t feel like we need to rush, where life seems simpler. Agh, there is so much to be said. I cried so many happy tears when I got back home. So maybe the takeaway should be that if you ever get the opportunity to do something similar in any way, take it and go to it with an open heart.
Integration Begins
Carmien:
Some women were already well integrated with the climbing and outdoor community, some were getting back into it, and some were witnessing it for the first time. What an amazing blend of humans.
We have to realise we are a different group of women, sometimes seen as weird or unusual, but that is also what makes us so special. Being able to gather in our differences and connect because of those differences is stunning.
Leaving this weekend, numbers were exchanged for a climbing session at City Rock CPT or Block 11, an early morning surf or trail run, a weekend hike, a yoga session and a coffee afterwards. From one weekend to a lifetime of adventure and friends.
Carmen Theron
Written in collaboration with Anj
Anj Jones
Written in collaboration with Carmien