JEDI Training - Equality Begins at the First Bolt

Rock climbing’s popularity is soaring. New climbing areas and routes are needed to make way for the next generation of climbers. But who will be creating these new areas?
 99% of the climbing routes in Texas have been established by cis white males. But now, a new generation of route developers are opening up new areas to make climbing more Just, Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive (J.E.D.I).
This film follows Bree Jameson, an avid outdoors-woman, twin mom, and a fierce advocate for social justice and gender equity. Bree finds the courage to embrace the discomfort of this new challenge as she becomes the first Black woman in Texas history to develop a rock climbing route.

J.E.D.I. (justice, equality, diversity, inclusion) is a new buzz word amongst climbing communities. I've been invited to no fewer than a dozen conversations, zoom calls, and events focused on the topic. While the issues of diversity in the outdoors isn't a new and progress has been made over the decades, as a storyteller, I long for living examples and real people who show us a way forward. This film is that story.

In Texas, public climbing areas are limited, and the majority of climbs have been developed by white men. Thanks to the work of the Access Fund, new areas are being opened for development. The question is, who will set these new routes? Who will mentor these new developers? Who will venture into the discomfort of this unknown future?

This film tries to to answer these questions as it follows Bree Jameson and her attempt to become the first Black woman in Texas history to establish a new outdoor climbing route, or as climbers like to say, 'bag First Ascent." We have discovered so much in the process of filming this story. We are excited to share this film with you and hope that it impacts you a fraction as much as it has impacted us personally.