Ukrainian Climbers Build New Outdoor Culture at Stoned Climbers Festival

At a steep granite cliff overlooking a river near Denyshi in the Zhytomyr region, about two hours west of Kyiv, 500 people camped, climbed, swam, and listened to live music during the Stoned Climbers festival. The event featured a 25-meter (82-foot) climbing wall, stand-up paddling, swimming, and evening performances by bands and DJs. All proceeds supported Ukraine’s Azov Brigade, and no Russian drones or missiles were reported overhead.

As war grinds on, Ukrainian climbers build a new outdoor culture inspired by Yosemite

The festival began in 2023 when about 15 friends, after a year of climbing together, drew inspiration from Yosemite National Park’s counterculture. Yosemite is known as a birthplace of modern rock climbing, where participants live in tents, travel in vans, and spend months on granite walls. The Ukrainian founders adapted this ethos to wartime, creating a communal space that blends sport, nature, and music.

As war grinds on, Ukrainian climbers build a new outdoor culture inspired by Yosemite

The inaugural event attracted about 150 visitors; this summer’s attendance topped 500, mostly beginners or amateur climbers. Participants spent days on the 25-meter wall, with applause each time a climber reached the top. Daytime programming included climbing instruction, swimming in a nearby reservoir, and stand-up paddling, while evenings featured live bands and electronic DJs.

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Organizers say the gathering sustains mental health and community cohesion during the war. By offering a space away from Kyiv, the festival provides relief from conflict stress, teaches skills, and fosters a sense of normalcy. Instructors note climbing helps manage everyday stressors.

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Festival leaders said the event serves humanitarian aims, with all proceeds funding the Azov Brigade. They stressed the need for communal spaces where people can learn, relax, and support each other. Organizers noted no hostile aerial activity this year, a safety gain over prior editions.

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• “It’s about a specific way of life — in nature, camping, on the rocks.” — Dmytro Isaienko, co-founder, Stoned Climbers festival

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• “Leave Kyiv and come spend some time here together, a little longer than usual.” — Dmytro Isaienko, co-founder

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• “It helps you manage stressful situations in everyday life.” — Andrii Lamei, climbing instructor

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• “I decided to come because it had been a very long time since I’d climbed on real rocks,” — Liliia Karpach, first-time climber

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Organizers plan the next edition, aiming to broaden participation and keep directing proceeds to support Ukraine’s Azov Brigade.

As war grinds on, Ukrainian climbers build a new outdoor culture inspired by Yosemite