PATAGONIA • CLIMBING CLINIC INSTRUCTOR

Lor fell in love with climbing at a gym in Detroit, Michigan when they were twelve years old. As a young climber, they split their time between competitive climbing and exploring sandstone crags in the southeast. Lor has a diverse background in the climbing industry as a guide, route setter, and coach. They now work as a mental training coach and therapist, exploring the relationship between mental health, mental performance, and community resilience in adventure sports. Lor loves all types of climbing, but they are especially drawn to steep splitter cracks and desert towers.

PATAGONIA • TEA TALK FACILITATOR

Based in California, Katie is exposed to some of the best bouldering in the country and is driven by the possibility of climbing the long list of lines that inspire her. Katie works as a professional climber and also as a data scientist making energy data clean and accessible to clean energy advocates. Outside of work, Katie has been sewing since she was a child and likes making clothes for herself that optimize for durability and style.

ARC’TERYX • CLIMBING CLINIC INSTRUCTOR + PANELIST

My name is Amity Warme. I am a sports dietitian and chronically over-stoked rock climber, perpetually pursuing the next adventure. I find climbing compelling because it provides the opportunity for me to push my limits, physically and mentally, while exploring incredible landscapes and connecting with others in the climbing community. I live in a van and spend most of the year traveling to various climbing destinations, seeking out adventures big and small. My secret climbing superpower is trying REALLY hard - I don’t give up! I love digging deep to accomplish a goal and enjoy empowering others to do the same. I enjoy most all disciplines of climbing but feel especially drawn to big wall climbing because it requires a full repertoire of skills in order to pull off a successful ascent!  I am passionate about both pursuing my potential as an athlete and helping others use nutrition to maximize both performance and long-term health. Feel free to say hi if you ever see me around!!

FLASH FOXY EDUCATION • CLIMBING CLINIC INSTRUCTOR + DJ

Marian May Perez has spent their career in the outdoor industry finding purpose in community and advocacy. Spending 15 years primarily working in the retail and education space, they are now the co-founder and Executive Director of Rise Outside, a non profit guide service outside of New Paltz, NY working towards normalizing diversity in the outdoors. They are an Arc’teryx New York ambassador and Flash Foxy alumni, holding space for other foxy folks to get stoked on climbing and community.

May loves traditional climbing and spending time in different climbing areas, working on breaking norms taking up space at the crag. Catch them throwing down on the dance floor, climbing topless on your favorite moderates, and having deep conversations about life and mental health.

FLASH FOXY EDUCATION • CLIMBING CLINIC INSTRUCTOR

Gerry was born and raised in the Philippines and migrated to the US during his teens. He has been climbing for over 12 years, primarily focusing on trad multi-pitch adventures. As he navigated the challenges of assimilation, he developed a strong appreciation for representation and diversity in the outdoors. Nowadays, Gerry’s main focus is to pay forward the skills and knowledge he has gained as an AMGA rock guide assistant, actively supporting and mentoring groups and individuals from BIPOC and queer communities in their own climbing journeys. For the past six years, Gerry has embraced the dirtbag lifestyle, living in his van and frequently changing climbing destinations, from Squamish, to The Voo, to Red Rock, to Ouray, but mostly in The Creek and Eastern Sierra. His most prized possession in the van is a rice cooker, which he uses almost daily to eat with his ulam.

LA SPORTIVA • CLIMBING CLINIC INSTRUCTOR + PANELIST

Allie comes from midwestern roots and wasn’t exposed to the climbing life until college when she moved out west to Arizona. While in nursing school at ASU, her identity shifted from eclectic hobbyist to climber. Allie dabbled in women’s rugby, volunteering locally and abroad, sorority life, giving campus tours, etc. (variety was the spice!) so it wasn’t surprising when she brought home a harness and shoes after her first time rock climbing. But, as it turns out, the climbing life is spicy in and of itself! Since moving to Cody, WY, ice and mixed terrain have become a major focus of Allie's climbing pursuits. This has opened up her arena to mountains she never thought she’d be able to roam. Allie feels that alpine climbing grounds her and helps her grow in ways she hasn’t yet found through anything else. The pristine beauty of the places she finds herself, feelings of both humility and accomplishment when pushing past perceived limitations, and the deep connections built through partnerships keep her coming back (not to mention the exponentially gratifying feeling of warm, dry, socks)! 

PANELIST

SJ used to be a Wildlife Biologist working for the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park where they ran the Big Wall Bat and Terrestrial Wildlife Data Programs. However, SJ was fired from the for hanging a trans flag on El Capitan in their off-duty time. SJ is also a guidebook author and has published Yosemite Bouldering and Golden State Bouldering -- they are currently working on a comprehensive free climbing guidebook to Yosemite Valley and bouldering guidebook to Tuolumne Meadows.

PANELIST

As a kid, Sam had a natural affinity for climbing trees and exploring the woods and streams in the world around them. Through the support of family and community, they were able to hone this into a lifelong passion for climbing as they began to rock climb outside at the age of 13. Drawn to the technical skills, Sam found an affinity for trad climbing during college. As a dyslexic and neurodivergent individual, Sam found struggle and reward within education. Motivated by impactful educators in their life, they found a passion for working in outdoor education. For the past 14 years, Sam has worked as an outdoor education instructor, teacher, and climbing guide, sharing experiences with others to help them grow and find their own passion. This passion has more recently been focused on creating affinity spaces primarily through their guiding and work as a co-organizer of the Adirondack Queer Ice Fest.

DIY GEAR & GARMENT REPAIR STATION

Colton grew up in the Sierra and fell in love with climbing in early adulthood. They have continuously returned to these granite peaks to climb, hike, and bask in their splendor. Following their heart, Colton relocated to the Eastern Sierra and now spends every free moment exploring and day dreaming about the next flower to smell and the next lake to swim in. 

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Jean “Tucky” has been a dedicated yoga practitioner, rock climber, and alpinist for over 20 years. She teaches an engaging class that blends traditional yoga with vinyasa flow while bringing in the natural history of the Sierra Nevada. Students move through invigorating sequences while learning about the geology, wildlife, and trees that surround them. Originally from Kentucky and shaped by the mountains of California and Colorado, Jean’s passion for crack climbing led her to Yosemite, where she worked with Yosemite Search and Rescue, the Yosemite Mountaineering School, and as a Tuolumne Meadows Interpretive Park Ranger. She has climbed 12 different routes on El Capitan and thrives in the world of multi-pitch trad climbing. Now based in Bishop for the past 16 years, Jean works as a yoga instructor and Friends of the Inyo Trail Ambassador. Find her community yoga classes on Instagram @bishop_yoga.

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Matt Moy is a Chicago-based climber, guide, youth instructor, yoga & acroyoga teacher and movement-loving activist dedicated to building joyful, inclusive outdoor spaces. They connected with climbing in 2008 while living in Uganda and have been moving, organizing, and advocating ever since. As an Arc'teryx Chicago ambassador, Matt supports community, access, and education efforts through their work leading Queers on the Rocks, Asian Climbing Collective Chicago, and their local AAC chapter while teaching with Chicago Climbs. Whether they’re working with youth, guiding outside, or acro-ing in the park, Matt brings care, connection, some corny jokes, and a fierce commitment to equity into every space - plus top-tier hugs and constant hydration/self-care hype.

TEA TALK FACILITATOR

Jess is an AMGA SPI certified climbing instructor at WSU and co-created the course Risk, Resilience, and Rock Climbing, a gender studies and climbing course that investigates power and privilege in the climbing world and how to expand the field to be more inclusive, intersectional, and accessible to people from a variety of backgrounds.

Jess also works as an advocate where she supports survivors of interpersonal violence and sexual assault. She guides in Northern Utah through Aspect Adventure and has created trauma-informed climbing spaces where survivors can feel empowered and brave in their bodies. Jess serves as the Ambassador for the Ogden branch of the Ladies Climbing Coalition, an affinity space for women and gender-marginalized climbers.

TEA TALK FACILITATOR

Masha never expected to be a plant nerd. As she moved through a variety of jobs, ranging from ballerina to trailworker, Masha became more and more aware of the need for healing, both in herself and those around her. Herbalism combined Masha’s love for working outdoors with her belief in holistic healthcare, and she became obsessed. She dove into the study of plant medicine, starting at the California School of Herbal Studies, and continuing under the instruction of herbalist and midwife Becca Kern. Her journey into the world of holistic healing has been one of empowerment, and she strives to share this experience with others through her herbalism workshops. Masha lives in Bishop, CA where she gardens, makes plant medicine, and plays in the mountains.

FRIENDS OF THE INYO • STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR

Izzy is a Bishop-based pebble wrestler, dog lover, and book nerd. Originally working in healthcare, she took a hard left turn into conservation and land management and moved to Bishop partially in pursuit of that dream. She absolutely loves her job and feels lucky every day to be able to help steward the public lands and trails of the Eastern Sierra. She especially loves working with Flash Foxy because they make sure the stewardship project is a priority and the festival attendees are always the coolest folks.    

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

George Brown is a proud member of the Paiute Tribe. He is currently a member of the Bishop Tribal Youth Council and an officer at the Bishop Union High Drama Club. He enjoys doing robotics, playing banjo, and coding.

LINE DANCING INSTRUCTOR

I am a black woman, lover of the outdoors, and passionate about getting people outside. I was introduced to line dancing 5 years ago on a horse packing trip right here in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. I was physically exhausted and my whole body hurt, but when we started dancing in the middle or the forest our whole group came alive! We laughed and danced for hours together. Line dancing is energizing, creates community, and puts a smile on my face no matter the circumstances. I absolutely love sharing my love for line dancing with people, and can’t wait to share space with you all on the dance floor! 

THREE CREEKS COLLECTIVE • PRESENTER

Santeena aka Teena Pugliese is a youth mentor, facilitator and digital artist turned activist. She is a member of the governance team and stewardship council for Youth Passageways, a mentor & facilitator for the indigenous youth council at Earth Guardians. She has been co- stewarding Three Creeks for the last 2 1⁄2 years with Gigi Coyle, Win Phelps, Scott Davidson & many others. She has created content and worked with Digital Smoke Signals, Divest-Invest-Protect, WECAN, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe & Youth Council, Indigenized Youth, International Indigenous Youth Council, Defend the Sacred Alliance & Indigenous Environmental Network.

Teena is focused on land stewardship, holding healing spaces and building community and belonging with people, place, and planet. She has a BA in Theatre and has a passion for exploring storytelling, the arts, and performance as pathways toward healing & connection. She is committed to and grateful for collaborations with all beings who work towards restoring our relations with each other and the natural world. Teena will continue to work as a steward at Three Creeks while educating through media arts programs and community projects.

AMGA CERTIFIED ROCK GUIDE + WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER

AMGA APPRENTICE ROCK GUIDE + WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER

AMGA CERTIFIED ROCK GUIDE + WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER

@katiesugarman

@bennjerphotography

@irinatakesapicture

Managing Director

Volunter Coordinaor

Head Photographer