Victoria Buitron (she/her)

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Scholarship Recipient | 2022 Flash Foxy Fall Fest - North Conway

I have had not-so-great experiences in the past where I’ve met strangers for outdoor events or classes, which means that today I have a personal policy to attend climbing events with someone I trust. That was the intent for the Flash Foxy Festival, but a close friend had to back out in the weeks leading up to it. I was heading into a three-day weekend event, and therefore I had to prepare myself mentally before heading up north to meet a group of strangers. It felt like a risk, and now looking back on the weekend, I’m glad I let my fears go. The festival was one of the most welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental environments I’ve ever been in.

I arrived Thursday evening and on Friday morning I had to do something I’ve never done before. A) meet strangers, B) define each of our climbing backgrounds and goals, and C) head climbing outdoors to a previously unknown location. Doing new things in general can be tough, but doing new things with others that you don’t know is definitely tougher. Regardless, I pushed myself out of my shell, and also met many people who decided to attend without knowing any of the other attendees. A lot of us were in the same boat, and once that was acknowledged, I was able to make connections and enjoy the outdoors. In the informal climbing meetings, we were frank about our levels, respected each other’s boundaries, and rooted for everyone as they climbed.

Clinic participants walking to the crag with Abby Dione

The highlight of the entire festival for me was the Sunday clinic regarding movement while on top rope with Abby Dione. The techniques that I learned from Abby and from everyone that was in the clinic will guide me in the long-run to help me obtain my goals. There were no wrong questions, and I learned the names and movements for new techniques. The event left me so pumped that after a five-hour car ride back home, I went straight to the gym. That Sunday went by very fast, and I kept on wishing that it would have been a two-day clinic. I got so much out of it, and I’m very grateful to the organizers and to Abby for making it happen.

Photo by Jessica Clifford

Yes, I drove to the festival a bit daunted and scared. But I left proud of myself and with plans to meet up again with other climbers who had attended the festival. The attendees really made me feel welcome, and I don’t know if I will ever find such a supportive environment in the climbing area in the future.