Kat is a master climber in various types of climbing & widely known for her contributions as a first ascensionist. Her achievements are impressive & ever-growing.
But what really makes her special? Visibility as a queer first ascensionist, respect as a community leader, a catalyst for social change & the impactful sponsor potential this provides.
“I “spotted” Kat Whipple as she set out to establish an unclimbed route in Indian Creek, Utah. What happened next turned out to be easily one of the top three most metal acts of rock climbing I’ve ever seen. Leaving the flake, Whip committed to an absolute horror fall. Zero, zero options for failure or retreat. I heard deep psychological pep talks to the higher mind and the basement dwelling animal. There were tears in my eyes as I watched a true death battle: a mix of brutal scrap-fight wrapped up in a mastery of technique. It was a moment of mastery. At one point I thought to myself, “she doesn’t realize how hard she’s climbing right now...” She was just going. Unstoppable. No option to fail. I’ve never, ever seen anything like it. It was art, and death, and life... mixed up before our eyes in a form of climbing I won’t claim to fully grasp. It was like magic. Scary, scary magic. Necromancy.”
Why sponsor Kat?
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She's a mentor and a leader.
Kat is an inspirational leader in the many communities she belongs to. She is a trailblazer both in climbing and as a social impact entreprenuer. She is always mentoring new climbers and is committed to diversifying the climbing community. She has been the only identified queer first ascentionist in areas, and she wants there to be more.
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She's visible.
Kat is in a unique position to reach new areas for growth in the climbing industry. She is visible to many underrepresented communities breaking into the world of climbing. She is a trailblazer when it comes to bridging the gap and creating supportive communities around new climbers.
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She's community driven.
Kat is connected not only in the climbing community but across a number of vibrant, diverse, and robust groups. She has focused her life’s work on innovation and building community around underestimated and underrepresented groups, including LGBTQAI++. She wants to see climbing truly become more inclusive.