In 2025 the Pink Summits team expanded its program and organized several remarkable events aimed at empowering the queer sports community and strengthening LGBTIQ visibility worldwide. Special thanks to our sponsor, Osprey Europe, as well to our volunteers, core team and partners!
Mountain Pride Week in Kyrgyzstan
Our first major event of the year was Mountain Pride Week in Kyrgyzstan, which began with two training sessions at the Labrys Community Center, a local queer organization. These sessions introduced participants to the basics of mountaineering and trekking, including topics such as gear and clothing, camping, orientation, trip planning, weather, and safety.
Participants had the chance to put their new skills into practice during the Pride Hike on June 7 and a challenging trek to the Adygine Glaciers on June 14. The week also included a presentation on Pink Summits’ recent expeditions to Aconcagua and Denali.
One of the most inspiring moments was a hike to a waterfall, followed by a picnic with 65 participants—a joyful, small-scale pride celebration. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined. In Kyrgyzstan, where homophobia and transphobia remain widespread, it takes great courage for queer people to attend LGBTQI events, even in relatively safe spaces.
Mountain Pride Week concluded with a demanding ascent to the Adygine Glaciers. Despite heavy rain, the group reached the destination safely and returned on time. The experience inspired participants to organize independently and establish a local nonprofit. With Pink Summits’ help on funding, and paperwork, a sister organization in Central Asia may soon become a reality.
Pride Hike & Climb in Austria
Our annual Pride Hike & Climb took place in the Austrian Alps from August 1–3, welcoming participants from 11 European countries. We extended the event into a full weekend, staying at the cozy Gruttenhütte in the Kaisergebirge. The original plan included several days of hiking, rock climbing, and via ferratas, culminating in a summit of Ellmauer Halt, the highest peak in the range.
Unfortunately, bad weather limited us to a challenging via ferrata and a short hike—but spirits remained high. This year’s program featured several inspiring speakers: The Pink Summits team shared stories from their expedition to Aconcagua. Glaciologist Donovan discussed the future of glaciers. Mountaineer Fabian presented on ski touring in the Alps and on the human factor and safety in mountaineering.
Photos below from Jarrell, Philipp and Martin
Pride Climb in Arco, Italy
In October, we hosted another of our signature events, Pride Climb, in Arco, Italy. This week-long event focused on rock climbing in all its forms—via ferratas, multi-pitch routes, and alpine climbing ascents. A big thank-you goes to AJ for sharing their expertise and invaluable climbing advice!
Coincidentally, a group from the Gay Outdoor Club of the German Alpine Association was also in Arco, giving us the chance to connect over dinner and attend the world-famous Rock Master climbing competition together. The week was action-packed, social, and an overall success!
Expedition to West Papua
From August 6–21, Pink Summits members Chris, Dastan, and Rüdiger embarked on an expedition through the rainforests of West Papua, visiting the indigenous Korowai and Asmat peoples. Originally, the goal had been to climb Mount Puncak Jaya, but due to safety concerns, the team chose an alternative plan in the rainforest.
The journey left us with mixed emotions and deep reflections. Confronting neocolonialism, global tourism, patriarchy, capitalism, and the ongoing exoticization of indigenous cultures left a lasting and painful impression.
You can learn more about this expedition at our public presentation on December 18 at tapir Leipzig, and in a forthcoming series of articles on our website.
Mount Fuji, Japan
At the end of August, part of the Pink Summits team climbed Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak. Japan remains one of the few developed countries without national anti-discrimination laws or marriage equality, and where hate crimes against LGBTIQ communities persist.
Gay Hiking Weekends @ Akademie Waldschlösschen
As in previous years, Dastan led two Gay Hiking Weekends at Akademie Waldschlösschen, one of the oldest LGBTIQ organisation in Germany. Due to growing demand, the event is now held twice annually! The focus remains on social connection rather than athletic performance.
Dastan presented updates from his recent expeditions: in July, he spoke about Aconcagua, and in October about Papua. The Papua talk sparked an especially lively discussion—never before had we received so many questions and comments!
Participation in Pride Events
This year, Pink Summits proudly participated in Sports Pride at Pride Amsterdam and Pride in Halle (Saale), Germany. We hosted booths at both events, meeting many new faces interested in queer mountain sports. During Pride in Halle, we were invited by the local Petruskirche to present Pink Summits’ work and recent expeditions. Next year, we plan to join World Pride in Amsterdam, and possibly a Pride event in the Alps.
New Scholarship Recipient and Team Member
We’re delighted to welcome AJ, last year’s scholarship winner, as a new member of the Pink Summits core team! AJ is the co-founder of ClimbOut, the first queer climbing festival in the UK. Our teammate Chris attended the festival in May and was absolutely thrilled.
AJ has already become an active contributor to our expeditions and programs. We look forward to announcing this year’s scholarship results in mid-November—stay tuned!
Partnership with IGLYO and Our First Grant
Pink Summits received its first-ever grant, “Queer Heroes Outdoors,” from IGLYO – the International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organization, supported by the European Union.
Through this project, we collect and publish inspiring stories of queer people in mountain and outdoor sports—celebrating diversity, challenging prejudice, and inspiring others. The project website launches November 20. If you’d like to share your story or recommend someone, please reach out to us: [email protected]!
As part of this grant, Pink Summits joined IGLYO’s meetings in Brussels, and attended conferences in Ljubljana and Zurich. AJ represented us at the International Youth Conference on LGBTQI Inclusion in Sports in Brussels. We also contributed to discussions around IGLYO’s new research, “LGBTQI Youth Perspectives on Inclusion in Sports.”
Pride Hike Croatia and new partners in Croatia and Georgia
Our participation in IGLYO events has greatly strengthened our international partnerships. In Slovenia, we met representatives from an LGBTIQ organization in Pula, Croatia, and together organized our first joint event: Pride Hike, held September 26–28 in Northern Velebit National Park.
We’re also collaborating with the Movement for Equality in Georgia, planning a joint expedition to Mount Kazbegi and the first Georgian Pride Hike. If you’d like to join the expedition group, follow us on WhatsApp or subscribe to our quarterly newsletter—all expenses will be covered.
Bergfilmfestival × Pink Summits
At the end of August, Pink Summits was invited to the Bergfilmfestival, a mountain film festival near Gaudlitzberg, Germany. Chris participated as a panelist speaker, and we’re now discussing a closer partnership with the festival organiser, DAV (German Alpine Club) Leipzig. Our goal is for Pink Summits to curate part of the festival program, amplifying queer visibility within the mountain community.
Looking Ahead
What a busy and inspiring summer it’s been!
This winter, we’re planning several ski tours (December 28–30 and January 31–February 2 near Innsbruck). Next year, our ambitions grow even higher—with an expedition to Lenin Peak and the Pamirs via the Wakhan Corridor, as well as our traditional mountain event for Kyrgyzstan’s LGBTQI community.