Yessi Aguilar (she/her/ella)
When I applied for the Flash Foxy Trad Scholarship, I had just decided to return to climbing again after a decade-long hiatus. As an inexperienced climber struggling to find my place in the Bay Area climbing community, I was excited and uncertain. Still, I was eager to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and rediscover that deep sense of belonging I’d found in other outdoor adventures.
Without a full-time job and with minimal savings, attending a climbing festival in Mammoth seemed out of reach. When I saw that Flash Foxy offered not only a festival pass but also travel and lodging support, I jumped at the opportunity.
When I found out I was a recipient, I was elated. I immediately began to make plans to carpool to Mammoth and booked a stay at Davidson Guest House. I was determined to connect with as many people as possible on this trip— a 6 hour car ride as well as a hostel with mountain views, a shared kitchen, and a cozy fireplace seemed like a great opportunity to build community.
In the days leading up to the festival, the Garnet Fires brought smoke and poor air quality—threatening to derail the festival. Even as the organizers e-mailed us with contingency plans, my hopes of climbing outdoors sank. But as we drove across Yosemite, the wind shifted, skies cleared, and we were gifted a weekend of (mostly) beautiful weather.
From Day 1, the experience was everything I had hoped for. Morning yoga and coffee under the sun, climbing at Spring Wall with the incredible folks from Queer Crush, and—most of all—a truly inclusive and supportive community.
Our group included climbers with decades of experience and others, like me, still finding our footing. But regardless of skill level, the support was unwavering. Even when I fell or struggled on the wall, I was never made to feel like a burden. People asked, “How do you like to be supported?” or “Do you want another go, or are you done for now?” It was a space built on consent, encouragement, and trust. No assumptions, no judgment.
I’ve never climbed in such an inclusive, compassionate environment. In so many outdoor spaces, attention often drifts to the loudest voices or most experienced climbers. Here, everyone was seen and valued. That day reminded me what real community looks like, and how rare and powerful it is to feel fully supported just as you are.
The rest of the weekend brought even more connection, learning, and surprises—like learning gear repair at Patagonia’s “Fix It and It’s Yours” tent and running into fellow NOLS instructors. The outdoor world really is small— in the best possible way.
I’ve been home for a few weeks now, but the relationships I built at Trad Fest continue to grow. We’re already planning our next trip and dreaming of getting back to Bishop and Flash Foxy in March.
I came looking for connection and found exactly that. Thank you, Flash Foxy, for making it all possible.
-Yessi
(she/her/ella)
