Cindy Su (she/her)
Scholarship Recipient | 2022 Flash Foxy Climbing Festival - Bishop
Photo by Cat Runner (@itscatrunner)
It’s been almost three years since we’ve been able to gather with one another. It’s been almost three years and we have lost people, have had opportunities to say goodbye never knowing that it was the last time we’ll ever see each other. It’s been almost three years since we’ve been able to gather with folks and build new communities and beautiful relationships. I am so grateful that the first time that I’ve been able to gather at a climbing festival is in the beautiful location Payahuunadu also known as Bishop California. I am so grateful for Flash Foxy Festival to be able to let us gather and be with one another while also keeping all of us as safe as possible.
Driving into Payahuunadu from Southern Paiute or Las Vegas and I could not believe how beautiful the landscape was; enormous mountains and peaks capped with snow with a seemingly quiet town nestled right in between. I was nervous because I’ve never been to this area and I was not sure how well received three Chinese American women would be to this area with the real threat of Asian hate and attacks. Once we arrived into town, I felt more comfortable knowing that the festival participants were all over and that I would run into folks who were there with a common goal of community and sends. The first unofficial meet up with affinity spaces on Friday was the most rejuvenating and memorable part of my weekend with Flash Foxy. It was the first time I got to climb outdoors with BIPOC climbers in a LONG time. I didn’t have to prove myself, I didn’t have to explain myself, and I could just be present and also support others who were trying hard too! It was SO refreshing to see a climbing area where there was a majority of BIPOC climbers cheering, sending, and just thriving in the outdoors.
Photo by Irene Yee (@ladylockoff)
Throughout the festival I just felt at ease wherever I went knowing that there were folks who were part of the Flash Foxy community that aligned with my values as a human and as a climber. I unfortunately was unable to participate in a clinic, but it was so beautiful to be able to walk around the boulder areas and see instructors who were not cis-gender white men, teaching to our community and fostering a sense of mentorship and community that you would not see to the same degree at any climbing area.
The scholarship was originally given to me for the 2020 festival and at that time, I felt like this was going to be a good opportunity to network with folks and to build friendships across the country. I was excited and hopeful the same way that I feel when I get to travel and hang out. When we were able to finally come together, the feelings and visceral need to connect and be with folks in this safe community felt urgent and felt much more significant. The pandemic is still here and has changed the way that folks approached the world. I’ve changed in being more intentional in my desire to build relationships with people who align with my values and who challenge myself in radical ways and I felt like I was able to find those connections at the Flash Foxy Climbing Festival.
