Started in 1978 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, and later given the full month of May, Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month celebrates the myriad achievements, influences, and contributions of the AAPI community to our world.

Each May, we take the time to celebrate the talented and incredible people of the AAPI community. Join Sender One in learning a bit more and finding new ways to celebrate today!

AAPI Heritage in Climbing

While climbing has developed a modern reputation for being dominated by a white base of climbers, this hasn't always been the case. It is important to remember that this reputation is extremely modern and belies a rich history of indigenous climbing traditions that long predate V-grades, gyms, and popular knowledge in America.

While most of us know climbing as a sport, nowadays, many communities around the world have climbed from necessity and as a part of their culture for millennia. From the Miao in China to the Nepalese Sherpas, climbing has been an integral part of many AAPI cultures. Many climbers know that we "climb by instinct," but it's easy to forget how old the practice is. Whether climbing to bring to their final resting place those who've passed, or for the joy of seeing the world from on high, the history of climbing in the AAPI community is rich and ancient.

AAPI Climbing Follows

There's also a ton of AAPI Climbers out there right now changing the game and bringing the joys of the outdoors to a wider community. While we've only got space to highlight a few, you'll be pleasantly surprised if you follow along that many, many more people are advancing the cause of representation and spreading the joy of climbing!

Asian Bouldering Crew runs a lovely Instagram highlighting AAPI climbers, with short profiles and amazing photography that will get anyone pumped to go out to the crag today. ABC isn't afraid of necessary conversations or excellent bursts of inspiration. If you're out to find climbers who make you say "wow," their backlog is extremely worth your time to explore!

AAPI Heritage Month Events

We hope all of our community enjoys the celebrations and finds a new sense of appreciation for the beauty and strength brought to climbing and the world by the diversity of our community. Happy AAPI Heritage month!

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and we at Sender One want to take a moment out to celebrate all the moms who make our lives shine!

Many of us our moms were there not only for our first steps but our first sends! Whether teaching us to appreciate the beauty of nature, wrangling us to get to school on time, or being the support we need in hard times, moms truly make the world go 'round.

This year, we're offering you a few last-minute ideas for the perfect outing. We're also celebrating the moms of the Sender One Team (some of them who're part of the Sender One Team!) with stories of how they got us started on our journey to loving this world!

Outing Ideas

Moms of the Sender One Team!

Sheri (Nicole P's mom)

"My mom, Sheri, has always been adventurous and outdoors focused. One time my sister, my friends, and I were climbing at Pine Mountain and didn't have service. My mom and my friends' mom decided to drive up there to try to find us (which is not too easy if you're not a climber). They found us and tried bouldering outside for the first time. My mom even got to the top of some boulders! We relaxed after by drinking the bottle of tequila they brought up. It was amazing for her to go out of her way to share my passion for climbing (and tequila) with her."

- Nicole P.

Laura (Soph and Bryce's Mom)

Not only is Laura a double-mom to two members of the Sender One team, she's also a Yoga instructor at SNA! Laura passed on a life-long love of adventure and the outdoors to both of her children, with frequent trips to Yosemite, morning surfing expeditions, and of course introducing both Bryce and Soph to Sender One.

Soph will always remember the trip Laura took them on to Catalina, where they camped out in the hills and Laura read them "The Little Prince" (they now have a tattoo with a passage from the fox chapter). Bryce, meanwhile, will never forget the when, at only 11, he got pancreatitis in the middle of Yosemite and had to be hauled out through six miles of trail. Suffice to say, he was a little heavier than the average day pack. Thankfully, Laura is one of the strongest and most determined people out there!

Melody (Crystal's Mom)

"Growing up, we weren’t outdoorsy, but we visited Taiwan and a number of other countries as much as we could afford. My mom put a lot of effort into maintaining our Chinese and Taiwanese background since she only moved to the United States a couple of years before I was born. We were fortunate to be immersed in different cultures. One memory of my mom was when she came to my elementary school and taught my class how to make dumplings and how to write their favorite word in Chinese calligraphy. As a kid, this was just normal for me, but as I got older, I realized just how much effort it takes to hold on to your family’s culture especially going to American schools, dating white guys, and being within the minority. Now, I find myself looking for Chinese recipes to try that I can cook for my mom and reaching for the savory and sweet items at the Asian market that remind me of my childhood. Beyond keeping our culture alive, my mom is ultra-supportive, hilarious, and just the absolute best!"

Whether you're heading out for a hike, or staying in for a well-deserved morning in bed, Sender One wishes all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day!