image – Amari Pavati

Dear Climber, Thank you! 

Being a tiny human on a wall, 10 feet, 100 feet, or 1000 feet above the ground, feels so solitary. My thoughts above moves and foot placements, my dreams and aspirations, my fears and anxieties, are mine alone. While climbing, my tears, and shouts of joy and pain (often rolled together in one exclamation) so often come from my singular experience. But I did not create a any one of these experiences on my own.

Each skill I possess, from feeding appropriate amounts of slack while belaying to rappelling efficiently, from resting between redpoint burns to the belief that this lifestyle can be fulfilling and responsible in the long-term, has been possible because of other individuals in the community. In telling the story of how I started climbing, my own interest and excitement about the activity is the theme, but it’s not the star character. My peers and mentors, the acquaintances I’ve observed, my loved ones and family, have all helped create the opportunity for me to be where I am today. The community is the hero of every climbing story.

Each day, I’m overjoyed to exist out here in the woods, between gorgeous cliffs and building-free landscapes. To my friends near and far, to the authors and heroes who’ve inspired so many, to my mentor and peers, I want to say thank you!

Thank you for encouraging me to switch my feet on the tiniest of footholds. With your patient constructive criticism, I’ve trained myself to keep my shoulders down away from my ears. Thank you for keeping my body safe as I learn how to move it upwards, sideways, and back down. Thank you for making fun of the way I spot and showing me that even I can save a head from hitting something hard. Thank you for talking about shapes and momentum, it helped me as I was grunting my way up that odd sized crack.

Thank you for putting that cam in the pocket and giving me the chance to fall on it. It was my first fall ever and ever since I’ve trusted gear so easily. Thank you for showing me how to hold the grigri, to never let go of the breakhand on the ATC, thank you for encouraging me to belay the biggest and smallest of climbers. Thank you for letting me pee on that multipitch. Thank you for showing me twice how to coil ropes and rack cams. Thank you for offering your two cents on how to clip draws more quickly when you saw me struggle. Thank you for teaching me about so many adjacent activities so I could find out for myself what inspires me the most.

Thank you for bolting. Thank you for the anchors. Thank you for spending your time and money and sweat and blood to put up these routes that I so enjoy. Thank you for drawing topos and writing descriptions. Thank you for your hard work, I appreciate what you’ve done for my generation.

Thank you for sharing your stories. When I hear tales of your friends and days past, I feel less alone in this daunting task of carving myself a life wherein climbing is a top priority. Thank you for sitting next to us at the fire and reminiscing. When I hear of what you have accomplished, I feel empowered. Thank you for believing in my abilities. With your confidence, I feel more certain that I can accomplish my dreams if I try. Thank you for living your life fully. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you.

To the mentors who’ve shared with me their knowledge about climbing technique, gear, and safety skills, thank you. Because of you, I’ve built the necessary foundation to explore myself. Because of your friendship and comradery, I’ve felt empowered to ask questions and learn by doing.

To the mentors with years of experience, thank you for passing on knowledge. To my peer-mentors, thank you for sharing with me. To those with less years climbing than I, your different experiences have taught me so much.

To the community that raised me as a climber, you’ve fostered in me a sense of wellbeing, independence, and strength that fuels my every step through life. To the community that respects and values spending time outside, thank you for your part in creating this opportunity. I am so grateful to be here. I’m ready to give to you too — whenever and however you want.

With love,
A Climber

photo – Anton Mikulcic

5 ways to give back to the climbing community

1) Say thank you
Route setting, route development and writing guidebooks all take a lot of work. Climbers who put time, money, and energy into these endeavors sacrifice their personal climbing time to make the crag a better place for all of us. Show your appreciation by saying thank you to these kind, crazy souls.

2) Donate to your local bolt fund
The more traffic a climb gets, the sooner it’ll need maintenance. Especially if you’re enjoying lowering from fixed anchors, consider donating to a local bolt fund.

3) Support your local access association
Volunteer to do trail work, pick up trash, or donate to the Access Fund or a local organization responsible for trails and crag health in your area.

4) Pass along your knowledge
You’re never too green to give good advice. Support your peers as you grow and learn as climbers and humans (monkeys?). If someone was helpful to you, pass it on!

5) Be joyful
Climbers all have one thing in common: we love climbing. Find the aspects of climbing that make you the happiest and share your joy with others.

photo – Elif Tosun