In no way do the thoughts or ideas expressed in this article reflect the opinions of Moja Gear. We do, however, support a platform for freedom of expression and open discussion within the climbing community.
There are a lot of reasons to write and illustrate a rock climbing-inspired book of sex positions. With terms like nuts, jugs, rubber, and cracks, the dirty puns are obvious and endless. Plus, technique on the wall has a lot in common with technique in bed: both can involve smearing, finger-jamming, leg-spreading, plenty of friction, and (sometimes) tying-in. Then there is the age-old truism that
rock climbers make better lovers.
We are, after all, bold, fit, graceful, and good with our hands.
Climb-a-Sutra
With all these factors in play, I was little shocked to discover that a climbing-inspired sex book didn’t already exist. I am not a professional writer or illustrator, but I like a good challenge so I took it upon myself to create The Climb-a-Sutra: a hot and humorous book of sex positions, inspired by rock climbing.
I love climbing. I love sex. But because I love these activities, I have to hold their respective industries accountable: both are dominated by the voices, experiences, and preferences of straight men. I know I am not the only one who has finished a bouldering problem only to have overheard a dude whisper to his friend,
if a girl can do it, you can do it.
And I am certainly not the only one who can’t identify with the sort of sex that is portrayed in porn and in the media.
Related: Sexism and Rock Climbing: A Conversation That’s Still Worth Having
I couldn’t wait around for someone else to make a climbing-inspired sex book for me to put on my coffee table. If I did, there is a good chance it would be full of heterosexual positions, dominant men, and tiny women with oversized breasts. (I’m not saying you can’t can’t be into those things- you totally can! I’m just saying that not everyone is into those things.)
Climb-a-Sutra is different. The images in the book are inclusive, displaying a diversity of bodies and sexualities, and the captions are thoughtful, avoiding both gendered language and assumptions of sexual preferences as much as possible.
Sit In Your Harness
The Bossy Belay
The Friction Slab
Related: Being Strong and Fragile: A Discussion on Sexism, Racism, Exclusivity, and Privilege in Climbing
The book is not meant to be a radical critique of sex and/or climbing. It is simply meant to be a fun and funny creative piece that everyone can enjoy.
The Overhang Bang
The Sultry Stem
The Tenacious Top Out
The Tight Crack
