Sharing your story is part of our mission.
STORIES
Visual story-telling is intentionally created from our programming to broaden the narratives represented in mountain culture.
Alpine Climbing
Camp 2022
In July 2022, we launched our first Alpine Climbing Camp. Our group of 6 participants, Alpine Guides and Dirtbabe Collective Facilitators spent 4 days in Bugaboo Provincial Park, combining instruction and mentorship from Alpine guides with therapeutic climbing facilitation. Our aim with this program was to offer an opportunity with previous climbing experience to enter the alpine environment. This program addressed financial and experiential barriers to alpine climbing and also facilitated conversational opportunities to address the mental and emotional barriers that might exist for participants.
In the alpine environment, guide to participant ratios must remain small to ensure safety and quality of experience. Through photography and film, we can share these impactful experiences beyond only those who were present, to expand the narrative we see and hear coming from the mountains.
Each participant of this program entered with an intention that they shared so everyone involved could contribute to a truly supportive environment. The impact of the intention of this camp was profound and we hope you appreciate this glimpse into the experience.
We acknowledge that this camp takes place on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwepemc Nation and Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney Nakoda - Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation & Goodstoney First Nations). We are forever grateful to be visitors on this land and to those who have lived in close relationship with this land for time immemorial.
Cultural Climbing Camp
Made possible by the Arc'teryx Alberta community grant program, our Cultural Climbing Camp was designed to remove barriers for Indigenous women to access the sport of rock climbing. For three days, we engaged in learning technical rock climbing skills interwoven with Indigenous Elder teachings for an experience to connect more deeply with ourselves, each other, and the land.
We acknowledge that this camp took place on Treaty 7 territory, traditionally tended by Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney Nakoda - Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation & Goodstoney First Nations), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot Confederacy - Siksika, Piikani & Kainai) and Tsuut’ina First Nation. We are grateful to have been taught and guided by Blackfoot Elder Alvine Wolfleg throughout the camp.
Pivotal Moments
This short film from embodies how moving through pivotal moments can feel when you turn fear into curiosity and find clarity within yourself with support of community. Join our community, join our conversation.
We acknowledge that the experience captured in this film took place on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwepemc Nation and Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney Nakoda - Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation & Goodstoney First Nations). We are forever grateful to be visitors on this land and to those who have lived in close relationship with this land for time immemorial.
Merrie-Beth, ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
“The mountains deserve to be absorbed in a way that makes you really hear them. They have a story to tell. It’s hard to do that if we just keep ramping up the adrenaline aspect of what you can do in the mountains.”
Sarah, Cultural Climbing Camp Participant
“Seeing other women climb something makes you want to do that too, not in a competition sort of way, it’s like ‘I want to be beside that woman, doing those things too.’ ”
Elise, Alpine Climbing Camp Participant