Introducing - Srishti Pasco

With the first Queer Climb event out of the way, I was lucky enough to grab a chat with with Srishti Pasco, a trans-man and climber that works here in Yonder, to find out his experiences with the London climbing scene, how he’s getting on, and plans for the future. 

JG: Hey Srish, tell us a bit about yourself

SP: I’m Srishti, I identify as a trans-man, I’ve been climbing since autumn 2017

JG: What does climbing mean to you? 

SP: Being in a place where you, and everyone else, are trying to get up a 4m wall in the sickest or hardest way possible makes it very hard for me to focus on anything else other than just that.

JG: So, you find it relaxing? 

SP: Having virtually everything else in my life temporarily pushed out of my mind means that climbing is one of the most freeing activities I can do regularly. Even if it consists of a lot of me swearing while falling off the wall a million times.

JG: Some might say that doesn’t sound very relaxing.

SP: Climbing allows me to use up a lot of the nervous energy I build up from other areas of my life, by channeling it into a good project or trying as many cool problems I can do in a session and feeling wrecked the next day.

I spend less time overthinking things and getting stressed, and more time trying to remember how to get rid of achy muscles.

JG: Are you working towards any goals at the moment?

SP: To be able to smash in lots of different styles, and look really cool while doing it

JG: That’s a good one, any specific routes you want to have a go at or areas to visit?

SP: Le Toit Du Cul De Chien 7a is at the top of my list of boulders to try outside, because the line just looks so sick.

JG: In Fontainebleau right? Anything more local?

SP: Hopefully I'll be going somewhere in the summer, maybe the Southern Sandstone to do some cool sketchy slabs. I want to boulder in the Lake District as well, it's probably one of the most calming places I've ever been to and the grass was so green.

JG: ooh nice,  anything else you’re working on at the moment?

SP: I also want to improve my confidence by trying hard moves, even if I'm scared I'll fall and roll my ankle for the millionth time.

JG: You’re quite accident prone at the moment. 

Srishti has managed to twist his ankle climbing not once, but twice this year. 

JG: What are your thoughts on being both a climber in London and trans, do you feel accepted at the wall?

SP: No community apart from maybe bees are a hivemind, and there will always be people in every community who are unjustifiably just arseholes. But in my experience of the London climbing community, no one has ever made me feel excluded or uncomfortable because of my gayness or transness, which is more than I can say for other places. 

JG: Do you think there’s enough representation for LGBTQ+ climbers in London?

SP: There are a few LGBTQ+ climbing groups that I know of, such as NotSoTrad, as well as many non-cishet climbers, and It has always made me happy that LGBTQ+ people have made their own spaces in a sport that has historically been dominated by straight, cis, white guys. This feels really important because without this inclusion, as well as our own spaces, acceptance is a bit more hollow.

JG: So would you encourage other young trans people to take up climbing?

SP: Finding new sports can be daunting for LGBTQ+ people of any age, and particularly trans people due to misinformation and general bigotry. But the sheer amount of people that not only welcome you into climbing gyms, but actively support you no matter your identity is unlike any other sport I have tried. It makes it easier to challenge yourself to climb harder while also having an excellent time, alone or in a group.

JG: Does anyone stand-out as supporting you as you got into climbing?

SP: I love climbing with anyone who's down for a session, but my favourite is probably Mark Beh - can't wait to climb with him again.

JG: And, who’s your climbing role model?

SP: Tomoa Narasaki, the guy's so strong, flexible and coordinated, and is the person I love watching the most in world cups. Also had a great mullet for a while I think.

JG: It’s been great chatting with you, keep an eye on that ankle. Do you have any advice for someone just getting into climbing?

SP: Don't be shy to ask for help if you're struggling, a lot of climbers will be really helpful if you need it, and add a new perspective to whatever you're working on that you might not have thought about.

Also, resting is key, in and between sessions.