What is this meetup for?
This event is a collaboration between BIPOC Beta and OutClimb to create a space for folx who hold both queer/trans and BIPOC identities. It is free with your membership or day pass, and we have secured funds for QTBIPOC climbers to attend this event for free, please tell the front desk if it is your first time attending either OutClimb or BIPOC Beta at Bouldering Project.
BIPOC Beta, is a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) led initiative that aims to promote diversity, inclusion and representation by and for BIPOC climbers and provide opportunities for community, mentorship, and continuing education. All BIPOC climbers of all levels of experience are welcome! Many who join are first-time climbers while others have more experience under their harness. Their main objective is to increase the representation of BIPOC climbers and leaders in the local community. Regardless of your skill level, if you’re looking for a BIPOC community to climb with, this is the place for you!
OutClimb is a a Minnesota-based organization dedicated to making climbing accessible to as many trans and queer people as possible. This includes creating a welcoming space for queer, non-binary, and trans people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Climbing is historically white, cisgender, heterosexual, and male dominated; OutClimb looks to change that by providing a queer organized and led space where folks can hangout, climb, and learn with each other.
Attending one of our events…
We want to make our events welcoming to all, and with that comes an expectation on how we interact with one another and people outside our group. We didn't want to burden individuals with a lengthy list of do's and don'ts and a code of conduct outlining this social contract. Instead, we have constructed a fairly straightforward statement that we expect people to abide by while at our events. If, for any reason, this statement isn't upheld by someone at one of our events, please let us know.
We exist within a queer community with diverse intersecting identities, please be mindful with your interactions between one another, especially with gendered terms, to keep this space welcoming for everyone.
Discounts
This event is free with your day pass or membership. If it's your first time attending OutClimb tell the front desk and receive a free day pass with shoe rentals! BIPOC Beta and OutClimb have secured funds to cover the cost ($12 +tax) so that QTBIPOC climbers can attend this event for free.
What is Bouldering?
Indoor bouldering is a type of rock climbing that involves climbing shorter artificial rock walls over large pads without ropes or harnesses. This type of climbing has fewer barriers because it does not require the technical skills used for ropes and the only special equipment needed is climbing shoes.
First time at Minneapolis Bouldering Project?
Fill out a waiver in advance, and show up 15 minutes early to complete the tour and orientation before the event!
To join OutClimb at Bouldering Project you will need a day pass or a membership. Remember to check out the discounts section above for an even better deal than punch cards!
When possible, we will offer a short lesson on climbing technique and movement for new or beginning climbers. This is to help you get on the wall, climb for longer, and try more technically challenging climbs during the meetup.
What do I wear and where can I change?
Minneapolis Bouldering Project has a no questions asked policy for using the gendered locker rooms and bathrooms you identify with.
If you aren’t keen on locker rooms, there are single stall locking bathrooms with benches inside and lockers outside for you to use
Normal clothes for the gym or yoga are great options to wear. The walls and climbing holds can be abrasive so consider wearing clothes that cover your knees and legs. Overall you do not want to restrict your movement, while protecting your skin, and keeping cool while exercising.
Climbing shoe rentals are included with the discounted day passes for OutClimb. They should fit tightly, but your feet (and toes) should sit flat inside the shoes.
Some OutClimb attendees use hearing protection that matches their sensory needs; and some use masks for heath reasons, to reduce the spread of infectious disease, or the chalk dust in the air. Please consider your own needs and the health of other climbers when you make these choices.
Is there parking at Bouldering Project?
Although Bouldering Project has a free parking lot, it can fill up due to events and patrons from near by businesses. This is usually worst during the months of cold months of November - March and when there are events along the river in June - August. Be sure to park only in designated spaces and check that those are not reserved for neighboring businesses at that time. There is also a pay lot on the other side of Plymouth Ave. If you park on the street watch for fire hydrants. We suggest biking, carpooling, or the use of public transit to get to and from the gym whenever possible.