A THOUSAND WAYS TO KISS THE GROUND
A Thousand Ways To Kiss The Ground, a film by Henna Taylor, is an exploration into grief and its expression through the stories of individuals who have experienced loss or trauma due to climbing or alpinism.
QUOTES FROM A THOUSAND WAYS TO KISS THE GROUND
“Take the time, take the space. Be real with yourself and answer questions for yourself of why you climb, of why you’re doing what you’re doing, and if you want to be doing it. It is a choice that should be made consciously.”
—Josie McKee
“I think it is useful for climbers to engage with grief in a healthier way...By putting [grief] out and center a little more it forces the rest of the climbing industry to sort of respond and be more supportive of their athletes.”
—Alex Honnold
“Nobody does grief right. There is no handbook, there’s no right or wrong way of grieving. Right now, I am just trying to find balance in it all and move through this in the best way that I can.”
—Jordan Roskelley
“I used to plant a tree for everyone close to me that had passed away and I had to stop doing it because there are just too many. We are all sad, I am sad too. But are we going to talk about it? Or just continue to do destructible things?”
—Jesse Huey
ABOUT THE CLIMBING GRIEF FUND
The Climbing Grief Fund (CGF) evolves the conversation around grief and trauma in the climbing, alpinism and ski mountaineering community and connects individuals to effective mental health professionals and resources.
The Climbing Grief Grant, a component of the Climbing Grief Fund, offers financial support for individuals seeking professional counseling to help process climbing related grief, loss, and trauma. In 2020, we awarded fifteen $600 grants for individuals in our community. At the AAC, we aim to continue to grow that number and expand this emotional belay for our partners.
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Donate today and your year end giving helps support the Climbing Grief Fund, the Club’s policy and advocacy work, and more.