Climbing outdoors can often feel overwhelming, especially when navigating access needs, unfamiliar crags, and long approaches. As an adaptive climber, finding spaces in the outdoor industry that intentionally foster inclusion can feel like a rare breath of fresh air. When I applied for the Adaptive Climber Scholarship for the 2026 Flash Foxy Mini Fest in the Gunks, I was excited, but I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the weekend. From the moment I arrived at the AAC Gunks Campground, many of my worries began to melt away in the warmth and energy of the Flash Foxy community.
Photo by @chalk.eaterz
Before the festival, the Flash Foxy team went out of their way to connect with me and talk through accessibility considerations, from approach conditions and venue facilities to coordinating options like park ranger transport to help me reach the crag. While navigating access needs in outdoor spaces can be challenging, having a team willing to communicate, problem-solve, and explore options with me before I even arrived in New Paltz made a meaningful difference in how prepared and comfortable I felt going into the weekend. Throughout the weekend, the sense of community was transformative. Whether we were out on the rock sharing beta and cheering each other on or gathering at the campground and event venues in the evenings, I found a sense of ease and belonging that made the experience special. As an adaptive climber, navigating outdoor spaces often comes with an added layer of planning and advocacy. At Flash Foxy, I was able to spend more of my energy connecting with other climbers, sharing experiences, and celebrating our time on the rock together. I found a community eager to uplift one another, share knowledge, and celebrate each person’s climbing journey.
Photo by @cam_maam
Receiving this scholarship gave me more than the opportunity to experience the iconic climbing of the Gunks for the first time. It gave me the chance to connect with the women and gender-diverse climbing community that Flash Foxy brings together and to experience the power of being part of a space where people are encouraged to show up as themselves. I’m leaving the weekend feeling incredibly grateful for the connections, laughter, and community I found at the festival. The experience reminded me how much thoughtful communication, a willingness to problem-solve, and the simple act of making room for one another can matter. I hope to carry those connections and that sense of belonging with me into future climbing experiences.
