This isn’t your average Friday Flick Pick …

In this video, you’ll meet China’s “Spiderwoman,”—Luo Dengping—and other members of the Miao minority who free solo the cliffs found in the Guizhou province.

This practice began as a burial ritual many centuries ago, where climbers would ascend the steep walls with coffins to protect the deceased from scavenging animals. This also served and continues to be used a means for collecting herbs for medicinal use. Today, however, as the popularity of Western medicine has grown in China, the need to perpetuate this tradition is in less demand.

Nevertheless, climbers, including the rare female, Luo, have found a way to generate income in the form of tourism for their brave feats.

They said this was only for boys. But I think men and women are equal so I came to learn.


Want more? Get our awesome climbing newsletter, delivered weekly.


Explore More

Related articles you'll love

Our 40+ most popular articles ever
Today’s Best Rock Climbing Gear Deals
200+ rock climbing videos
An Interview with Aniu: A Perspective on Climbing in China
Video: The Last Honey Hunter: Behind the Scenes with Renan Ozturk & Mark Synnott in Nepal
Climbing Destination Guide: Yangshuo, China
Mayan Smith-Gobat and Ben Rueck Climb in China’s Quingfeng Valley
Essay: Why I Don’t Free Solo
Video: Alex Honnold and Felipe Camargo in Getu, China
Get daily updates by Liking us on Facebook
Free rock climbing PDFs on technique, training, knots, and more