Francisca Rudolph (she/her)

Attending the Flash Foxy Festival as a scholarship recipient felt a lot like stepping into a kind of summer camp.

One of the things I appreciated most was how much intention there was behind not just being in the outdoors, but understanding how to care for it. There was a clear emphasis on learning about the land, not just climbing friendly granite and volcanic tuff, but thinking about how to move through these spaces responsibly, how to respect them as visitors, and how to be more aware of our impact. Those lessons stayed with me in a way I didn’t expect.

Overall, the experience was incredibly joyful. I met and climbed with people from all over the country, each bringing their own stories, skill levels, and reasons for being there. What could have felt intimidating instead felt genuinely welcoming. People were invested in supporting each other and sharing the experience.

Some of my favorite moments weren’t the big, structured parts of the festival, but the in-between ones: laughing between climbs, exchanging stories, and realizing how quickly a group of strangers could start to feel familiar.

If we did not get a chance to meet, I hope we cross paths at a future Flash Foxy event. I’m Fran. You might recognize me by the hat I picked up on my first day in Bishop at Eastside Sports and ended up wearing every single day.

I left the festival with a deeper appreciation for what it looks like to build community with intention, and for the responsibility that comes with spending time in these landscapes.

I’m really grateful to Flash Foxy for making this possible.