I Tried Out Climbing QTs’ Introduction to Outdoor Climbing Course

ClimbingQTs has teamed with Blue Mountains Climbing School to make rock climbing more accessible for LGBTQIA+ people. Kate took on one of the courses and she thinks you should give it a go too.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which this adventure takes place who have occupied and cared for this land and water for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

If you know me, you know I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist. I personally think there are people that walk this earth that are generally cooler, insanely strong, and unable to feel the weight of mortal anxieties. They manifest in rock climbers.

To put it simply, if anyone is able to hang several metres up in the air by their feet alone, they’re simply demigods in my eyes.

However, in the spirit of trying new things I’ve recently spent the past couple of years trying to learn how to be like one of these insanely strong beings.

Enter ClimbingQTs.

ClimbingQTs meets Blue Mountains Climbing school

Last month I had the absolute pleasure of trying one of ClimbingQTs’ subsidised programs with the Blue Mountains Climbing School. With ClimbingQTs members only needing to pay 10% of the course value, these programs help encourage LGBTQIA+ people of all backgrounds to get outside and be active.

These programs are for all queer folk – from beginner boulderers to expert climbers looking to up their skill level. There’s a tiered progression for QTs who want to try outdoor climbing for the first time, all the way to a four-day expedition in the Warrumbungles. Along the way, you push your own climbing technique and learn new skills like lead climbing and multi-pitching.

Being a newbie myself, I chose to do the ClimbingQTs Introduction to Outdoor Climbing.

So what’s the course like?

We had an amazing instructor, Mika, who looked after us throughout the day. Following an acknowledgement of Country, she walked us through cliff safety, knot tying, and belaying, before we finally tackled the climbing portion.

Mika had us try several different climbs of varying difficulty, each time pushing us harder to try a trickier move or practice a different skill. She made sure everyone felt supported and included hot tea breaks when the drizzly Autumn rain made an appearance.

(Altitude Deli also needs a mention for the most amazing packed sandwiches I’ve ever eaten.)

Between the expert coaching and the cheering on, everyone was able to push themselves a bit further than they expected. Whether it was reaching the top of a climb they didn’t think they’d manage, or smashing a level or two higher than they were used to, we all kicked goals.

Finding a Community in the Cliffs

There’s something incredibly special about finding yourself in the middle of the Blue Mountains with just fellow LGBTQIA+ folk and nature.

I think a lot of queer individuals, consciously or otherwise, often water themselves down. Especially in public spaces, it can be hard to tell what reactions may be if you act in a way that is ‘too obviously queer’.

While rock climbing is a phenomenal sporting community for supporting queer folk, ClimbingQTs’ program takes it a step further. There’s a sense of easiness that follows not having to police your actions, and finding a comfortable support system amongst it all.

Should I give it a go?

If you want to make fast friends, then clinging to the side of a cliff while they cheer you on will definitely do it. I’m not sure if its the adrenaline, fear, or chalk inhalation but there’s a huge sense of camaraderie on the cliffside.

Either way, these courses are an awesome blend of pushing your climbing technique and finding a community that actually celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities. If you’re queer and interested in climbing, I can’t recommend these courses enough. I might just meet you at the next one!