Welcome to Texas Lady Crushers!

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to cultivate an inclusive, educational and supportive space for women and non-gender conforming individuals who share a passion for climbing. Whether you have been “crushing” (climber-slang for “climbing hard”) since day one or you want to try a new activity, you are welcome at any of our meet-ups.

Photo by: Eliza Earle

Photo by: Eliza Earle

Meet the Team

Emilie Hernandez (she/her)

Founder

Emilie Hernandez founded Texas Lady Crushers in January 2017. She is a certified Single Pitch Instructor with the American Mountain Guides Association, is Wilderness First Aid Certified, a Personal Chef by trade, bilingual in Spanish and English, and a classically trained violinist. She grew up San Antonio, Texas and currently lives with her husband, son, and two dogs in the Austin hill country.

Photo by: Savannah Cummins

Becca Swaim (she/her)

Executive Leader

Becca Swaim has enthusiastically stepped into the role of Executive Leader of Texas Lady Crushers as of May 2024. Based out of Austin TX, Becca is an avid boulderer with a decade of climbing experience and a passion for exploring top climbing destinations. Since joining Texas Lady Crushers in 2023, she has found immense value in the community's support and camaraderie. Dedicated to fostering inclusivity, Becca aims to ensure Texas Lady Crushers remains a welcoming space for all women and non-gender conforming individuals to climb and grow together.

Darline de la Vega (she/her)

Co Leader

Darline is based out of the North Texas area and leads the DFW region for TxLC. Darline is an avid sport climber, beginner trad mama, and recent outdoor enthusiast. She loves to educate herself on the endless amounts of climbing knowledge so that she can eventually become an AMGA certified guide. As a transplant from the Bay Area, Darline is grateful for the community and friendships she has found in her new home through climbing. Outside of climbing, Darline can be found playing Pickleball with her husband or at home with her new cat.

TxLC Leaders: What got you interested in climbing?

  • Alayna Hillard (she/her)

    I always thought that climbing would be the ideal physical, mental, and even social challenge!

  • Elle (she/her)

    I wanted to learn a new skill that would complement my backpacking and hiking hobbies

  • Laura Chiu (she/her)

    Both physically and mentally challenging, climbing is a great way to get in the present moment. The community is so supportive and welcoming to all.

  • Jessica Gunzinger (she/her)

    I got hooked on climbing because I love being outdoors + catching a sweet view at the chains, and the flow of moving through a route makes my soul happy!

  • Vanessa Brooks (she/her)

    I got into climbing pretty recently, because my family and myself were opening a bouldering gym in Fort Worth. I have fallen in love with bouldering and love that I still have so much growth and knowledge to make in my journey. I love the people I have been able to meet through climbing and can't wait to see our gym continue to grow.

  • Kaitie Babiarz (she/her)

    I worked at a climbing gym in high school and became good friends with my coworkers and the regulars. My trad dad, Phil, took me outside for the first time and I was hooked on outdoor climbing after that!

  • Mauria Atzil (she/her)

    My older brother got me interested in climbing over a decade ago. He took me climbing, I got hooked, then we roped (pun intended) our younger sister into climbing and it remains a family activity to this day.

  • Sarah Knapp (she/her)

    My friend took me climbing one weekend and I thought it was such a fun way to stay active physically and mentally