Hi, my name’s Mike and I’m based in Devon and I’m one of the founders of ClimbOut. I support ClimbOut’s volunteers alongside being the Chair of Lets Go Belay and Boulder Together CC while working on my PhD through the University of Brighton.
I Have been Climbing for around 25 years, starting in Scouts and then working in the outdoor industry. I love the combination of exploration, adventure and community that climbing encourages and particularly love trad and seacliff climbing.
Climbing has long been an intimidating space for the queer community and ClimbOut is a fantastic way of breaking down those barriers and allowing more people access to outdoor climbing in a friendly and supportive community. Seeing the amount of joy at last year’s festival and the confidence and progress made by people who attended gives me so much pride and joy.