The North Face Celebrates Global Climbing Day
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On Saturday, August 24, The North Face will partner with 281 climbing gyms across the world to promote climbing and lower barriers to entry. Day passes will be offered at lowered rates or for free. Localized programs will support community initiatives, including clinics, workshops, presentations and opportunities to connect with professional climbers, such as Alex Honnold, Ashima Shiraishi, Daniel Woods and Margo Hayes, to name a few.
The Global Climbing Day initiative is part of The North Face’s “Walls are Meant For Climbing” campaign. The campaign aims to challenge perceptions and show how obstacles can be opportunities.
ABC Kids Climbing gym in Boulder, Colorado, will host Autism Climbs, a nonprofit that introduces kids with autism to climbing. Crux Climbing Center in Austin will have family activities such as face painting, yoga for kids and raffles. Pro athlete Nina Williams will be giving a presentation at Brooklyn Boulders gym in Somerville, Massachusetts about her own experiences overcoming walls.
“I think it’s important to have these types of discussions because they allow face to face communication and encourage people to not feel so isolated in their experiences,” said Williams in an interview with Gym Climber. The hope is that presentations like Williams’ and others across the world will open doors and encourage participants to get out of their comfort zones.
The North Face has also partnered with The Trust for Public Lands to build public climbing walls, primarily in urban areas that would otherwise make climbing inaccessible. By 2021, there will be walls in Denver, Atlanta, Chicago and New York. On Global Climbing Day, climbers may fill out surveys and suggest future locations for The North Face’s ongoing initiative.
Check thenorthface.com to find a participating gym near you.
Feature Image by C. Bezamat