Ellen Oliver
My experience at Flash Foxy was incredible. This was my first Flash Foxy event, and I feel inspired and motivated to continue attending more workshops. I am impressed by the commitment, joy, and care that were part of each aspect of the festival events. At first, I was nervous to attend because I did not know anyone at the festival, but I quickly found community and friendship. The festival organizers created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and I was impressed with how much effort and attention went into creating this remarkable event. There were vendors, arts and crafts, food, glitter, panels, raffles, goodie bags, slideshows, and film screenings! I connected with so many climbers both at the community events and in the clinics. I met climbers from across the US and Canada, and I now have new climbing partners with whom to continue learning new trad skills. I feel so inspired by everyone I met and spoke to at the festival, and it reminded me of the power of community. It meant a lot to be surrounded and supported by hundreds of inspiring women and genderqueer climbers. Attending this festival has inspired me to continue building my local climbing community and creating inclusive spaces for climbers. Climbing in Flash Foxy's event was uplifting and full of adventure. I felt supported and comfortable being myself.
On Saturday and Sunday of the festival, I attended the Intro to Trad clinic led by the amazing Cindy Su and Sam Haines. During the clinic, I immersed myself in two full days of gear placements and learned basic knots and anchors. I was blown away by how much I learned from the clinic. It was a safe and fun learning environment. Attending this workshop helped me grow and feel confident practicing new climbing methods. I could climb at my own pace and receive one-on-one instructor and peer feedback. I was particularly thrilled to have so much first-hand experience placing gear and learning about safety.
The location of the festival was excellent. Beautiful mountains and New England fall foliage surrounded us. My clinic was located along the Kancamagus Highway, offering many breathtaking views. The festival was near used gear shops and local shops, and I had so much fun exploring North Conway.
I particularly enjoyed the panel titled “Navigating Risk On and Off the Rock”, featuring Ady Wright, Brittany Goris, Lou Bank, and Andrea Hassler, with moderator Lu Gondim de Alencastro. I appreciated the wide lens of the notion of risk and how risk can be experienced in so many ways in rock climbing. I appreciated hearing the various perspectives and complexities of this topic and how risk can be experienced differently by everyone.
This festival was a blast, and I was sad to leave on the last day! You all introduced me to trad climbing and helped connect me with an incredible network of climbers. I will recommend it to my local climbing community and look forward to attending more Flash Foxy events. Thank you, Flash Foxy, for making space for women and genderqueer climbers!
