FESTIVAL RECAP

Our hearts are warm and glowing after a truly magical three days at the first Rock and Rise climbing festival!

Bronwyn, Pim, Amanda & Elaiza

Check out the recap video of the 2024 festival

Video filmed by Laura Szanto edited by Pim

FEELING GRATEFUL

Thank you to everyone who played a role in mentoring both before

and during the event — we are so grateful for the many opportunities

to learn and grow from you! Thank you to our volunteers who came

out to set up and pack down the site. And thank you to all who came along for the festival. It takes a whole community to create an open

and inclusive space, and the result was beautiful.

A huge thank-you to our title sponsors Arct’teryx BC and Ground Up Climbing Center! For a complete list of our 2024 sponsors, scroll to the bottom. We could not have done this without your generous support.

IN SHORT

THE 2024 FESTIVAL

Over 130 participants for a three-day weekend.
15 clinics, with a maximum of 6:1 student to mentor ratio
A beautiful opening ceremony with Tsawaysia (Alice) Gus of Squamish Nation, followed by Intentions Setting with former professional climber and life coach Tiffany Melius
An inspiring and captivating panel discussion led by Shabana Ali, co-facilitator of Belay All and co-founder of South Asian Climbers Coalition
A diverse roster of 8 certified guides and instructors, who enthusiastically attended our pre-festival inclusivity training with Ren and CJ, and did a wonderful job running all our specialised clinics
Delicious meals from a variety of local, mostly female-owned businesses
A variety of crafts from local female and genderqueer artists at our Saturday market
7 participants in the Indigenous Women Outdoors x Rock and Rise Scholarship Program
6 participants in the Squamish Newcomers’ Services and Women’s Center Scholarship Program
10 general scholarship participants and 4 work-trade positions filled
Prizes, games, treats, and more from our incredible 2024 festival sponsors
Groovy tunes by local DJs Nez and Ilva, that had many of us up and dancing late Saturday evening under the stars
A mid afternoon Zumba Class with Taeko, arranged through Squamish Newcomers' Services
Morning warm-up with local climbing physio Nina and yoga with Cami from Chile
A crag clean-up initiative provided by Squamish Access Society
On-site emotional support team
Countless people who stepped in to help in many wonderful ways
Smiles, tears, laughter and all the deep feels of belonging and gratitude