Affinity Groups at Touchstone
Climb. Connect. Belong.
We’re not just gyms. We’re a community.
At Touchstone Climbing, we strive to cultivate inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive as we all come together to do what we love.
We host over 50 affinity groups across our 18+ locations, so everyone can find their crew to crush with.
Women’s Groups
If you’re looking for other like-minded ladies to work your next project with, check out the women’s groups at our gyms. Groups are inclusive of all women (trans, cis), nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming climbers of all levels. We partner with organizations like LADY CRVSH CREW and others to host these groups. Visit the gym links below for location-specific women’s groups.
POC Groups
Climbers of color, unite! We have some truly phenomenal leaders in our community who want everyone to thrive and find their fam in climbing.
Black Rock Collective
Celebrating Black joy and Black crushers. Join up with Black Rock Collective (BRC) at many of our Bay Area gyms. BRC is a monthly climbing group dedicated to the Black, African American, and African communities of the Bay Area. All levels are welcome, from the experienced climber to those who have never climbed before (we’ll show you the ropes). Black Rock will serve as a community event to foster Black joy in climbing, offer a safe learning space, and empower Black folks to get out there and crush in an encouraging environment. We’re ready to hype you up, whether you’re getting on ropes or bouldering. Visit the location-specific links below for more information.
Black Rocks LA
BLACK ROCKS LA is a climbing meetup dedicated to the Black community. The purpose of this meetup is to embrace and celebrate diversity within the broader climbing community. We are committed to cultivating a safe space where Black climbers can send their projects, gather, make friends, spread joy, and build community with others! Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a newbie looking for a challenge, this event is perfect for all skill levels. This is a judgement-free, fun, and supportive group. Find us on Instagram or see location-specific links below for more information.
The People’s Climbing Crew
We are a climbing crew created for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) by BIPOC climbers. We currently meet at different climbing gyms and crags near Los Angeles. Our Objective is to help close the gap in the outdoors for BIPOC. We want to create new paths and increase accessibility of outdoor recreation, outdoor-related education, and spaces for BIPOC adults and youths.
Visit the PCC website for more information, and find our location-specific links below.
FilipinUp
Join our Filipinx climbing family! Our mission is to uplift Pilipino culture in climbing, transcend barriers to the outdoors and reconnect to the land. We gather to build community, grow together as climbers, share food and culture, and work together to make the outdoors feel like home for all people. If you enjoy lumpia, we welcome you! We meet at gyms and crags, have joint affinity gatherings and partner in stewardship projects with local organizations.
Learn more on our website or Instagram.
Discover upcoming events on our calendar or at each gym’s calendar via the links below.
Escalemos and Latino Outdoors
Empowering the Latinx community through climbing, community, and culture. Guests will learn about the organizations Latino Outdoors and Escalemos while connecting with others in the community, and climb through a welcoming and familiar space that reminds them of their culture. Visit the location-specific links below for more information.
Black Summit Collective
Join the Black Summit Collective, a space dedicated to Black and Pan-African communities. The purpose of this group is to embrace and celebrate diversity within the broader climbing community. We are committed to cultivating a safe space where Black climbers can send their projects and make friends.
Queer Crush
At Touchstone, Pride is all year round! Join Queer Crush and meet incredible LGBTQ+ folx in the Touchstone community. We are committed to creating a safe space in which queer, trans, genderfluid, and nonbinary climbers can crush climbs and make friends.
Find QC on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord. And join our monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on all QC happenings. Keep track of QC events using our NorCal and SoCal calendars, or find events using the location-specific links below.
ParaCliffHanger
Climbing is for EVERYONE! ParaCliffHangers host events each month for people with physical disabilities. We work with participants to find the right style of climbing for them—whether that be on a rope, on the wall, or a combination of the two—so that they can learn new styles of climbing and safely push their limits.
Touchstone is working hard to expand adapative climbing offerings to all of our rope gyms. New volunteers and participants are encouraged to join us. Find our adaptive climbing events at the location-specific links below.
Simcha Sandbags
A Yoked Yehudim Production
Are rock walls your Shul? We are a group of ~Yoked Yehudim~ dedicated to encouraging the Jewish community to explore the world of climbing. Our goal is to create a welcoming space for Jewish individuals and allies to celebrate the Jewish culture and connect through the joy of belays, boulders, and just being yourself.
ASL Climb Day at Pacific Pipe
All are welcome: deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing. All who love meeting other signers, practicing ASL, and having fun! We encourage you to bring your friends to this awesome gathering.
Join us at Pacific Pipe on the 1st Sunday of every month. See the link below for more information.
And More!
We have new Affinity Groups happening across our gyms all the time. Keep an eye on your local gym’s weekly schedule for the latest—and check out some other groups we’re thrilled to host below:
Pebble Pushers
LA Climb Hunnies
Rock Top
Start your ascent!
Climb higher, boulder harder, and crush your fitness goals, all in one place.
Join a community that’s as strong as the walls we climb.