From Community To Technique

This panel conversation will encompass how to engage diverse individuals within the greater climbing community. Focusing on deaf, adaptive, veteran and LGBTQ+ individuals, panelists will speak to topics of bias, trust, stigma, representation and inclusion. This conversation will be guided by these questions: How do we move this conversation from theory to action? How do we encourage individual members of the climbing community to push their personal boundaries and assumptions? How will this broaden the definition of who we will climb with? How can we show respect while seeking to understand how we can climb together?

Goal: Prepare and ignite attendees to intentionally engage their own climbing communities on how to develop inclusiveness and curiosity in safe spaces that foster empathy and communication.

This event is followed by a multi-media, active climbing event on March 2nd 2019. The event will include instruction from Nikki Smith and ETCC staff as well as a photography workshop, cross-training, and indoor/outdoor skills development.

Intended Panelists:

Nikki Smith (female) – Sponsored Climber, Professional Photographer, Guidebook Author and US Army Veteran

Elise Roy (female) – Amateur Deaf Climber and Inclusive Design Specialist

Jared Lenahan (male) – USA Climbing Paraclimbing Team Athlete, Active Duty Navy Corpsman and Professional Combat Cameraman

Intended Moderators:

Grace Thompson (female) – LGBTQ+ multi-sport athlete and co-owner of Embody Pure Fitness

Jeremy Kinney (male) – Earth Treks Assistant Manager and Earth Treks Photographer