What’s It Like Being a Girl in Rope Access?

I look back on my life and, hey, I’ve tried a few ways to put food on the table. I’m a rock climber and a writer; have been for as long as I can remember and will be for as long as I live. I’ve worked in marketing because it made sense for a writer. Those days are long gone, though; now I’m a girl in rope access because it makes more sense for a rock climber and a dirtbag.

While it’s true that girls in rope access have started to gain recognition worldwide, the process is slow. In fact, women working at heights are a rare occurrence. Yes, there are a few female rope access technicians around the world and, if I’m lucky, I get to work with one for a while or spot one somewhere in the distance. But for the most part, I’m all alone in a male-dominated industry and that’s why people are still surprised to see me around.

Perhaps you’re considering getting into rope access, regardless if you’re a woman or a man, and want to get a better feel of what to expect. This article treats the life of a female rope access technician with a certain amount of humor, but that’s not to say it’s not the complete and unabridged truth. Or maybe you’re a fellow badass woman in rope access; if that’s the case, let’s see how much you’ll resonate with what’s written below.

So here it is, a list of real-life situations that I’m often faced with when working as a girl in rope access:

1. It’s a man’s world

Yup, rope access is still a male-dominated industry.

There’s no arguing that it’s freaking hard. It’s physical labor, it’s taxing, exhausting at times. It requires skill and laser focus. There’s no room for silly mistakes. You have to endure and pull through. You need to assess risks and know yourself – how tired you feel, whether you can keep going, whether you’re sharp enough to stay safe.

In a society that loves labels, this kind of work is often labeled as “men-only”.

We all know by now that women are pretty much capable of delivering the same standard when it comes to these types of jobs. Just think about it, just as there are women who can work side by side with men, there are men who could never do this job for various reasons (fear of heights, they get tired too fast, lack the physical strength, can’t handle the environment, medical conditions, etc.). So why put labels on it?

Yet the misconceptions linger and it can be off-putting. There’s worry about being left out, that our male counterparts will be preferred for certain projects. There’s fear that some employers may have lower expectations of women. Indeed, at certain rope access gigs, when I present myself as a co-worker in a team of men, sometimes people give me the stink eye, or at the very least look at me with skepticism. They come around quickly.

Some even go as far as asking why in the world would I choose to do this “hard work” instead of being “comfortable” in an office. My answer is “that’s just not my idea of being comfortable.”

So far, I’ve been lucky enough to work with men who’ve treated at me as their equal. Okay, up to some extent; some offer to help when it comes to carrying or lifting heavy stuff, and I appreciate that.

2. People mistake you for a man

A short sequel to the previous point…

I am so proud of my job and I do everything I can to show that I’m a girl in rope access. I have a pink helmet, I wear colorful tops (when I can), I show a bit of my long hair (just enough so it doesn’t get tangled in the descender), and I try to move like a girl (i.e. with some amount of grace). A woman in an office once suggested wearing lipstick so that everyone can plainly see I’m a woman. Didn’t do that, but it was a sweet suggestion.

I’d say it’s plain to see my gender, even from afar. However, it looks as though preconceptions blur people’s vision. I’ve heard people addressing me as a man, screaming “Hey, mister! Clean that, too, while you’re there!”. What was I supposed to do? I looked at them, answered with my girly voice, and continued to do my job. To this point, I’m still not sure they realized I’m not a man.

3. You break gender stereotypes

Yes, there are more women in the ropes these days, but they remain a rare sight. Many male-counterparts are still surprised to see me, albeit in a good way, as in “never ever have I worked with a girl before, can we take a picture?”.

On turbines, the work is usually remote, not a lot of spectators there. At concert stages, you get lost among all the people and the usual fuss around the event. On office buildings, where there are loads of people inside as well as bystanders, that’s where the sight of a woman really stands out. Not to mention at industrial rope access projects, where there are dozens of men from different companies doing different jobs and you’re the only woman in a vast sea of men.

People are not used to seeing a girl hanging on the ropes outside their office. Some are just bewildered, others don’t quite understand what it is I’m doing there. Not to mention the tough industrial jobs that were supposed to be “men-only”, what on earth am I doing there? All that said, the reactions that I’ve gotten so far have been mostly positive, because those who do bother to watch me at work appreciate my efforts. Hey, they even stare with admiration.

Okay, let’s be clear here; not everyone stops and stares. Some don’t even care that you show up hanging at their window. Out of all the people who see me, there are a few who acknowledge that it’s not easy, that it takes balls, passion, and just the right amount of crazy. Therefore, they begin to look in awe and that’s when change starts to happen.

Read more >> 20 Telltale Signs You Might Be a Dirtbag

4. You break other stereotypes, too

The way we present ourselves, regardless of our occupation, is key.

Unfortunately, in some parts of the world rope access has gotten a bad rep; including where I live. This is the case mostly in window cleaning and other building maintenance jobs. Cheap labor dominates, encouraged by both the beneficiaries and the rope access companies. In consequence, many rope access technicians don’t look the part; at all.

It’s clear to see how some beneficiaries have already put labels on this line of work. They expect to see some loud male workers who’ll most likely disturb the people in the offices and perhaps won’t do a very good job either. There’s already a stereotype there.

It’s also plain to see how they change their minds once they meet the girl on the team, who smiles, talks nicely, is passionate, and does a good job on top of all that as well. They look at the whole rope access team with different eyes. So I guess it’s up to us girls to correct other misconceptions as well.

5. You get freakishly strong

Walking around in that bulky harness weighing way too many kilos will alone make your legs stronger. Carrying and lifting freakin’ heavy toolbags filled with tools or bolts or whatever materials you’re using makes for one serious workout. Do I have to mention all the ascending on the ropes or climbing on structures while wearing that heavy harness, heavy boots, heavy overall, and usually some tools dangling as well? Then there’s pulling up the ropes, coiling them, carrying them around. And, of course, there’s the work itself, which usually involves moving your whole body for an extended period of time. That beats any gym, I swear!

The result? You get strong. There’s no other way around it. Being a climber, I can see how rope access has made me a lot stronger, both physically and mentally. Even though I sometimes I feel to tired to go for a training session after work, I could see that just working in rope access has helped me climb better.

Read more >> Juggling Rock Climbing and Rope Access

6. People wave at you

It’s always nice to see people banging on the window to get your attention so that they can wave at you or give you a thumb’s up. Some may even go the extra mile and write “thank you” on a piece of paper and show it to you.

Sure, this doesn’t happen all the time. But, even if it only happens once at each project, it’s enough to reassure me that I’m in the right place and it gives me energy to keep going.

7. You get asked “Aren’t you afraid?” too many times

When people see you and want to start a conversation, they usually open with “Aren’t you afraid?”. To that, I reply “Sure I am. But I do it anyway.” Then they usually say “I could never do that.”

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d do this either. Full disclosure here, I’m not very comfortable with heights. Alanis Morissette’s lyrics come to mind right now, “I’m brave, but I’m chicken shit.”  

Even though I’ve been climbing outdoors for most of my life, urban heights still scare me. But I try to keep that fear under control. Plus, we’re creatures of habit. You do a thing long enough and you might just become comfortable with it.

8. People take pics of you

From inside the offices where you’re cleaning the windows. From the ground, by all sorts of people who walk by. Some even stop their cars and peek out the window to have a better look and take a pic of you. Makes you feel like a star; or like you’re part of a freak show. Depends on how you look at it.

But if people are amazed by what they see, why not let them do it? That’s the only way they can see how badass this job really is. And, most importantly, that it CAN be done by a girl.

9. Your office has a 360-degree view

Just another day at the office… But look at that office! You get a bird’s eye view of your surroundings every day.

When working in window cleaning, you spend a lot of time on the roofs of buildings. If you’re anything like me, that’s where you have your coffee and lunch, too. Maybe you have a cool industrial project outdoors, next to the sea even. You can’t beat that.

10. You change in the car or next to all the guys

When you’re the only woman working at a particular rope access project, the management doesn’t really consider the little details. If it’s a big project, there’s probably one large locker room shared by a lot of guys from several different companies working several different jobs. At small projects, you might have the honor to get access to some storage room and make it your “locker.” Or you just change near the car, by the side of the road. So what if all the passers-by see you?

At first, taking off my clothes and sitting in my undies around other guys felt…very awkward. There were projects where dozens of men would go about in their underwear, sometimes even prancing around butt-naked on their way to and from the showers. I blushed, looked away shyly, and in time learned to sort of ignore them. They didn’t seem too bothered by my presence either.

The first few days at a new project are a little strange as I try to find some far-away corner to change or, if that doesn’t work, desperately try to fit my ass inside a tiny locker. It doesn’t last long. I eventually get over it and change like a normal person among all the men. So what if they see me in my undies? I see them in theirs, so I guess that makes us even. 

Oh, and of course there’s no dedicated toiled for women. But that would be asking too much.

11. You have a year-long tan that leads to envy

Most often, you carry out your job outside, exposed to the elements. When it’s sunny hot even, as much you try to work in the shade, you’re still going to get some sun. When it’s sunny and cooler, you get to work on your tan when most people wouldn’t. Then, as you casually walk around site, people ask me what’s the trick for that nice tan.

12. Sometimes, it’s freaking tiring

You’re out there exposed to the elements – cold, hot, windy, rainy… And you gotta get the job done. Sure, you don’t do anything rash and you don’t work during extreme weather, but there may be times when you wash windows at 2 degrees Celsius (35 F). Let’s be clear, that means getting your hands (sometimes even more of you) wet in winter, when it’s windy and no sun. It ain’t pretty.

On the other hand, when it’s 38 degrees Celsius (100 F) outside and you have to work on a rooftop or do some grinding right in the sun, you feel all your power melting away. It’s easy to get dehydrated and even a bit confused. Physical labor at high temperatures is simply exhausting.

Sometimes, we push the limits of our bodies, our “delicate, fragile, girly bodies.” Yet we manage to survive and we do a damn good job while at it.

13. Your hands are rougher than the average man’s

Oftentimes, your hands reveal the kind of job you do. Mine are rough, with big calluses and sometimes dirty fingernails. If you were to shake my hand while blindfolded, you’d probably think I was a very small man who’s just come back from working the field.

Sure, climbing has a similar result on my hands – they get rough and dry. But rope access plays a big role, too. The dirt, the ropes, the water, the sun, it all adds up.

14. You get dirty

Depending on the job, you get sweaty and that’s it; that rarely happens.

Window cleaning is a dirty job. “You get dirty while cleaning?”, you might ask. The windows do get cleaned, but you often come out of the whole deal looking a mess.

Most large cities are polluted and that can be seen on the windows. Even if they are washed frequently, the water still gets murky. Now imagine those buildings that only get washed once a year or less? The water coming off the windows is pitch black! Well, all that filthy water gets on you – on your hands (hence the black cuticles and fingernails), on your knees, on your shins, on your forearms, sometimes on your face! Yeah, it’s kinda gross.

Then you have projects in confined spaces, with tons of dust everywhere. Now imagine also grinding in a confined space. It’s a freakin’ war zone!

15. There’s never a dull moment

Each project is different – different work to be done, different rigging and access, heights, techniques, weather conditions, surroundings, and so on.

You interact with all sorts of people and you never stay in one place for too long. It’s always off to the next project, with its own peculiarities, new challenges, different setup, other persons to meet. It’s almost impossible to get stuck in a rut.

16. You’re free

When you’re out there in the ropes, you’re on your own. You may have a boss, but when you’re hanging there, you’re your own boss. You call the shots.

In window cleaning, you swing in a harness and seat outside offices. You’re out there with the elements. You get to see the sky, look around the city, observe the people walking by below you, watch the traffic, peek inside the offices… You can listen to music, you can talk about whatever you wish, keep quiet, laugh, cry…

It’s quite freeing knowing you’re on the other side, no one breathing down your neck. I feel so lucky to be working on projects where I don’t feel external pressure, only the internal pressure to do a good job and go back home safely after a day’s work.

Confidence also plays a part in feeling free, and working in rope access has given me a lot of it. I am more confident dealing with people and challenging situations. I’ve become more resourceful, I can make decisions quicker, I can handle myself in situations where no one else can help. It’s played a role in my climbing as well, since I’m a lot more relaxed when it comes to heights and new challenges. It’s also hard to get out of shape. If anything, I only see improvements, although it takes a couple of weeks of rest for them to kick in.

Final words

As women in rope access, we have the power to change the way the world with (very) tiny steps. If we can show only one person at each project that women are just as capable of doing badass jobs and handling complicated situations in unwelcoming environments, that’s a win. Take it!

So come on, girls, let’s believe in ourselves and show our true colors!