Palestinian climber scales a rock face at sunset, with the separation barrier in the background.

Climbing Walls, Breaking Barriers: How Palestinian Climbers are Reclaiming Their Narrative

Samir D’Costa in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the inspiring story of how Palestinian climbers are using their sport to redefine their relationship with their homeland and challenge the constraints of occupation."

In conflict zones, finding spaces for joy and recreation can be an act of defiance. In Palestine, where daily life is shaped by the realities of occupation, a vibrant climbing community is emerging, transforming landscapes of division into spaces of connection and empowerment. This is more than just a sport; it's a way of reclaiming agency and rewriting the narrative of a people.

This article delves into the story of Palestinian climbers, focusing on how the development of the Wadi Climbing project has spurred the growth of a local climbing community. This community, far from being a detached sporting entity, is deeply intertwined with the social and political fabric of Palestine. It represents a form of civil society, actively shaping and reshaping the spatial experience of its members.

Through personal stories and reflections, we'll explore how these climbers are re-appropriating the natural landscape of the West Bank, a landscape marked by decades of Israeli occupation. Climbing becomes a tool for navigating physical and metaphorical barriers, fostering a sense of belonging, and challenging the imposed limitations on movement and access.

From Obstacle to Opportunity: The Rise of Climbing in Palestine

Palestinian climber scales a rock face at sunset, with the separation barrier in the background.

Rock climbing, traditionally an outdoor activity, has gained significant traction in Palestine, largely due to the Wadi Climbing project. Founded in Ramallah in 2014 by American climbers Tim Bruns and Will Harris, Wadi Climbing wasn't just about introducing a sport; it was about building a community. This initiative has blossomed into a network of local climbers who are not only developing their skills but also forging new connections with each other and with the land itself.

The Wadi Climbing project includes outdoor climbing trips and courses, and the construction of the first indoor bouldering gym in Palestine. By equipping routes and creating a central meeting point, Wadi Climbing has facilitated the growth of a cohesive community. As Nigel Wilson noted in Al Jazeera, most climbing infrastructure had been developed by Israeli climbers in Area C, making Wadi Climbing's efforts in Areas A and B especially significant for Palestinian access.

Community Building: The project fostered new social connections.
Recreational Activity: It provided alternative leisure.
Spatial Re-engagement: It encouraged a new approach to the landscape.

Accessing climbing locations isn't always simple in Palestine. The intricate spatial arrangements, including settlements and restricted areas, means that reaching climbing spots requires careful planning. As Tim Bruns mentioned, climbers must consider the location of settlements and Israeli parks when planning their routes. These limitations make the act of climbing even more meaningful, as it represents a conscious effort to overcome imposed barriers and engage with the land on their own terms.

Climbing as a Catalyst: Redefining Space and Self in Palestine

Climbing in Palestine transcends the physical act; it becomes a process of re-semiotization, challenging conventional ways of perceiving and interacting with the landscape. It redefines the self, fostering a sense of belonging and agency in a context often marked by dispossession. As Spanish climber B. noted, climbing can transform walls from intimidating obstacles into potentially climbable surfaces, changing perceptions and empowering individuals to overcome perceived limitations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.15366/reim2017.22.006, Alternate LINK

Title: Climbing Walls To Feel At Home: Palestinian Climbers Re-Appropriating Space

Subject: General Social Sciences

Journal: Revista de Estudios Internacionales Mediterráneos

Publisher: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Authors: Olga Blázquez Sánchez

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did the Wadi Climbing project contribute to the growth of the Palestinian climbing community?

Wadi Climbing, founded by Tim Bruns and Will Harris in Ramallah in 2014, has been pivotal in fostering a climbing community by organizing outdoor climbing trips and courses, and constructing Palestine's first indoor bouldering gym. This initiative has not only developed the skills of local climbers but also facilitated new connections among them and with their land, especially significant given that most climbing infrastructure had been developed by Israeli climbers in Area C, while Wadi Climbing focuses on Areas A and B.

What spatial challenges do Palestinian climbers face, and how do they impact their climbing experience?

Climbers in Palestine face significant spatial challenges due to settlements and restricted areas. Tim Bruns highlights that route planning requires careful consideration of the location of settlements and Israeli parks. This context adds a layer of meaning to the act of climbing, as it represents a conscious effort to overcome imposed barriers and engage with the land on their own terms. Overcoming these obstacles transforms climbing from a mere recreational activity into a powerful act of spatial re-engagement and defiance.

In what ways does climbing redefine space and self for Palestinians?

Climbing in Palestine is more than just a physical activity; it's a process of re-semiotization where conventional ways of perceiving and interacting with the landscape are challenged. It fosters a sense of belonging and agency, redefining the self in a context often marked by dispossession. As B. notes, climbing transforms walls from intimidating obstacles into potentially climbable surfaces, empowering individuals to overcome perceived limitations. This transformation reclaims space and rewrites personal and collective narratives.

How does the Wadi Climbing project facilitate community building, recreational activity, and spatial re-engagement?

The Wadi Climbing project fosters community building by creating a network of local climbers who connect with each other and the land. It provides recreational activities by introducing rock climbing, thus creating an alternative leisure. It also encourages a new approach to the landscape by enabling climbers to overcome spatial barriers and engage with the environment on their terms. By doing so, it promotes spatial re-engagement and enhances a sense of belonging.

What is the broader significance of the growth of a climbing community in Palestine, and what related aspects are not explored here?

The growth of a climbing community, especially through initiatives like Wadi Climbing, significantly impacts the relationship of Palestinians with their homeland. It facilitates a unique form of spatial re-appropriation, allowing individuals to reclaim agency and rewrite their narrative. While the text highlights community building, recreational activity and spatial re-engagement, it does not delve into the specific economic benefits, environmental impacts, or long-term sustainability plans of such climbing initiatives, which could further enhance the understanding of their broader implications.