Natalie Gott (she/they)

Scholarship Recipient | 2024 Flash Foxy Climbing Festival - Bishop

My love language is words of affirmation, so I naturally felt so full of love at Flash Foxy. Looking back, there is one moment that perfectly encapsulates the love of the entire weekend. Climbing out in the Buttermilks with Queer Crush, there was one particular warm-up climb that was far more difficult to climb down than up. I climbed up the slab first, then soaked in the views as I secretly worked up the courage to climb down. Looking down, there was seemingly nothing to hold onto and nowhere to put your feet. Classic slab! It took what felt like twenty minutes of breathing, stemming my hands and feet in every direction, and taking everything one bit at a time. Every step of the way, I was met with supporting shouts of, “Come on!” “You got this!” “We’re right here with you!” When I finally reached the bottom, there were at least ten folx waiting for me, arms in the air, cheering, and assuring me I had done great. When my feet hit the pads and I could finally breathe, I knew coming down would have been an entirely different experience without the support of all of these smiling faces. Then I stepped into the crowd to cheer on the next person, putting my hands in the air, and assuring them that we were there to support them. It’s impossible not to beam with stoke when you watch folx push their fears and grow in a space so full of love and support.