We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s line up of ClimbOut speakers. Across all disciplines of climbing, from bouldering, to Scottish winter climbing, competition climbing, and alpine climbing!
We understand the power of representation and the positive impact it has on our community. That’s why we parter with renowned LGBTQ+ climbers who have not only reached impressive heights in their climbing careers but have also been trailblazers in championing inclusivity and visibility within the climbing world.
Talks are taking place on the Main Stage on Saturday 8-10pm
Dastan Kasmamytov
(he/him)
@dastanik
The Power of Being Seen:
How queer visibility outdoors makes an impact in Kyrgyzstan
Dastan Kasmamytov is an LGBTIQ+ activist and mountaineer who currently lives in Germany. He is originally from Kyrgyzstan and has strong connections to his home country and its LGBTIQ+ movement. Dastan has a long history of queer activism both within Kyrgyzstan and internationally. Dastan also founded the Pink Summits campaign (pinksummits.org) that aims at queer visibility through outdoor sports.
In this talk Dastan unpacks what it means to exist—and resist—as a queer person in a society built to erase you. But this isn’t just about struggle. It’s about carving out freedom. Dastan explores how the outdoors— raw, open, and unpoliced—becomes a radical space for queer community building, safety, healing, self-expression and even rebellion.
Ian Cooper
(they/them)
@ian.cooper101
First Ascents, Second Thoughts
Ian has been climbing obsessively since 2005. They have done big wall first ascents and repeats around the world from the Karavshin region of Kyrgyzstan, Sella dos Orgaos in Brazil, and Cochamo in Patagonia. In Cochamo they equipped the La Junta Project with Robbie Phillips – at 27 pitches up to 9a, this is potentially one of the hardest big walls in the world. They’re now training hard to hopefully be able to free it one day! One of their most memorable climbing experiences was the second free ascent of the giant 1500m Mirror Route in Kyrgyzstan, which was first freed by Lynn Hill in 1995 at 5.12+ (E6 6b in UK grades). This involved 10 days on the wall (three of which were spent battling intense food poisoning), one midnight portaledge collapse and 10 hours of abseiling through a snowstorm to get back down!
Other highlights include the first ascent of Midnight Special, a 5.13+ trad line in Desolation Wilderness, team free ascents of Quarryman (E8 6c) and Space Cadets (E8 7a, first ascent) with Robbie Phillips, E8 first ascents, and sport climbs up to 8c.
This is a talk about first ascents, queerness, trauma, and changing motivations. From chasing worthiness to finding connection—and questioning the macho “epic” mindset along the way. Includes a screening of the First Ascent section of the latest Brit Rock film Trad Stars.