Post by Arc'teryx Equipment

For two years, Justin LaFerriere opted out of the nomination.  Queer Ascent is an annual climbing event in Truckee, California, hosted by Arc’teryx in partnership with OUT In The Wild, Truckee Pride, and Global Climb Athletes including Jordan Cannon, Shelma Jun, Madaleine Sorkin, and Em Pellerin. Arc’teryx employees are nominated through our Queer SV Employee Belonging Council (EBC). Justin, Program & Change Manager, is a new climber, and the event had always sounded above his skill level.  “There’s a thing that is very common for queer people. Not wanting to stand out. So often that meant not doing things where you couldn’t be good at it right off the bat. There’s a unique edge to that in the queer community; the self-defense of staying below the radar.”  This year, he said yes. It was his first time climbing outdoors.  “I saw myself progress faster than I expected. From the first day, my goal was just to get comfortable in a harness. By the second day, I was looking at routes thinking — actually, I’m pretty sure I can do that.”  Benjamin T., Guest Services Representative and co-lead of the Queer SV Employee Belonging Council, came to Queer Ascent expecting great climbing.  “You always have these thoughts when you join a new group of climbers. Am I good enough. Will I fit in.” “At Truckee, there was no pressure to prove anything. No feeling of being judged. That gave me the confidence to push myself further than I expected, and to be my full self.”  By Sunday, what had started as a weekend with strangers felt like something closer to a community.  “I never felt this proud to work for Arc’teryx.”  The 2026 Queer Ascent ran across three days in June, kicking off pride month celebrations with community climbing clinics, and celebratory events in partnership with Truckee Tahoe Pride Foundation. 📸: Justin LaFerriere, Taylor Shaffer #QueerAscent