#About

Sarah is a queer climber, skier, thru-hiker, and community builder currently living on the traditional lands of Îyâhre Nakoda Nations, the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, in the Canadian rockies. Raised blocks from the North Saskatchewan she grew up reading voraciously, and exploring Edmonton’s river valley alongside two younger (wilder and much more athletic) siblings whenever her parents forced her to put down the books.
After university in an effort to better understand her own Ukrainian-Canadian settler identity, the land she was raised on, and responsibility related to the space that we take up, she spent two years walking 12,000 kilometres across the country.
Banff (and consequently, an introduction to climbing) was entirely accidental: staying with a friend to escape the massive wilderness-withdrawal-fuelled depression that came after stepping off trail and back into city life. As close to walking as possible, while staying in one place.
Sarah is most passionate about the intersection of outdoor pursuit with inclusive and diverse community engagement. In 2018 she (alongside her friends and climbing partners) co-founded The Crush Collective, a non-profit working to remove barriers to access, foster safe and welcoming climbing communities, and celebrate representation in the outdoors.
More than anything, she loves sharing absolute psych for all things outside with everyone and anyone interested.

#5QuickQuestions

1) Where does your love for mountains come from? I grew up skiing with my parents in Jasper, and that introduction was key. And then - after living outside for the better part of two years, I think that I’m most comfortable in the wild. Stepping into it is like going home.  2) What’s your favourite “suffer-fest” activity? Anything that makes me scared, makes me work, and makes me think.  3) What’s your favourite place you’ve adventured to? This feels almost impossible to answer! Wherever I am adventuring to today. So, yesterday: the slabs at Sunshine. Today, Edmonton. Next week, the Bugaboos. 4) Who inspires you? My grandparents. Mad boggle skills. 5) Favourite adventure snack? CUSA instant coffee is outrageous. Instant cold brew means no stove necessary, and sneaking in more sleep minutes on early alpine mornings. Also love a dehydrated apple ring.

#LaterInLife

I was speaking with a friend recently who commented on returning after a month away, and feeling like he was coming back with renewed fever for the valley. Coming home is as exciting as leaving. Not because it’s familiar, or less hectic and busy, but because this place feels infinite. I feel like I could live a hundred lives here and still not touch it all. I can’t really imagine ever leaving it for good.

And I would love to continue working with Crush. This outside, adventure-fueled life that I’ve somehow fallen into has honestly pretty well saved me, and seeing other folks learn themselves in the same way is the most gratifying.