The Adirondack Queer Ice Fest 🌈 is a no-cost ice climbing festival solely dedicated to the LGBTQ+ outdoor community.
🧊 About the episode
Today, we’re chatting with Melissa Orzechowski of The Adirondack Queer Ice Fest 🌈, a no-cost ice climbing festival solely dedicated to the LGBTQ+ outdoor community.
When the idea first came about, the organizers, Melissa, Robbi, and Nol, thought they might be the only attendees — something for just the three of them. They didn’t know how big the community was in the Adirondacks, or beyond. When 40 people showed up in the middle of a blizzard — many of whom hadn’t ice climbed before — they knew there was a need.
Now in their third year, they keep being surprised: Registration filled up within 45 minutes.
In this episode, we talk about why identity-based affinity spaces are important, the power of starting (however small), and being the change you want to see.
"Affinity spaces create a place where people can feel safe enough to be vulnerable and to try something that otherwise might not be something that would feel safe to try.
When somebody finds ice climbing or a different activity through an affinity space and gets comfortable in that affinity space, they then can join the wider community and then make the wider community a much more diverse place.
Ultimately affinity spaces provide this place where people will feel safe and learn the skills that they need to then take into the larger community."
🧊 Resources and links
While registration is full, you can support the festival by donating on gofundme.
And if you’d like to follow along with this year’s event, and stay up to date for future happenings, their Instagram is @adirondack_queer_ice_fest.
You can connect with Melissa:
📸 @adirondack_queer_ice_fest | 📸 @melissaormo | 🔗 scottishdrytoolingclub
🧊 Credits
Episode cover photo provided by the Adirondack Queer Ice Fest
Intro music by Hannah Noelle Enomoto (thanks, sis!).
🧊 Sponsors:
Big thanks to Blue Ice for supporting this show!
Blue Ice: Blue Ice is the best kind of ice, and also my choice when it comes to fast and light ice climbing gear. Their Aero Lites go in like a hot knife through butter and their climbing packs hit the sweet spot between function and lightweight. Designed to get to the point in the alpine, their gear is tested by mountain professionals between the Alps and the Wasatch. If you’re looking to get to the point too — and with a little less weight on your kit, check out Blue Ice’s gear at blueice.com or your favorite local retailer.
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