why we founded rise outside

We are a diverse collective of outdoor guides, educators, advocates and activists. We are climbers, alpinists, hikers, trail runners, birders, bikers, writers, authors, artists, performers and lovers of rocks, scat, tracks, plants and animals. And we are absolutely dedicated to diversifying the outdoors.

we recognize the transformative power of the outdoors for all. we founded rise outside to create an environment we would most want to teach in, one where everyone is made to feel welcome bringing their full selves in pursuit of reaching their full potential. Rise Outside is a non-profit with our bottom line committed to accessibility for underrepresented communities.

OUR MISSION

We strive to create access to outdoor adventure for all communities through inclusive and qualified mentorship.

WE VALUE BUILDING COMMUNITIES ROOTED IN TRUST, RESPECT AND EMPATHY.

WE WORK TOWARDS A HUMBLE, TRANSPARENT AND HONEST PROCESS. WE EMBRACE NUANCE, KINDNESS AND COMPLEXITY RATHER THAN OFFERING SIMPLE ANSWERS AND EASY FIXES. BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY REQUIRES PATIENCE AND LONG-TERM COMMITMENT.

WE CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE MOVEMENT AND ACTION. THE ACT OF RISING IS AN ACT OF MOVEMENT. WE NURTURE MOVEMENTS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE NURTURE MOVEMENTS THAT UNLOCK CREATIVITY AND LEADERSHIP AMONGST THE YOUTH. WE NURTURE MOVEMENTS THAT FIGHT INJUSTICE, INEQUALITY, INEQUITY, RACISM, OPPRESSION AND EXPLOITATION.

FOR MANY, WE CARRY HEAVY BURDENS WITH US EACH DAY. IN ORDER TO RISE, WE ACKNOWLEDGE, ENGAGE, AND MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE ABOUT THE STRUGGLES WE CARRY.

Carolyn Riccardi (she/her)

Carolyn is an AMGA apprentice Rock and Alpine Guide. She is a SPI and WFR. Carolyn grew up in the Flatlands of South Brooklyn about as far as one can imagine from climbing a mountain.

Carolyn has been an out queer and anti racist activist for more than 30 years. She went to her first protest in the summer of 1989 after a young African American Yusef Hawkins was murdered by a racist white mob in Brooklyn.

She is a founding member of the Student Liberation Action Movement (SLAM) at CUNY and the Colombia Action Network - that sought to bring attention the violence US foreign policy was bringing to communities in Colombia.

Carolyn has spoken at universities, street corners and protests, and community actions across the US and Canada. She has been cited in the WSJ, NYT, GQ and many other publications on social change, lgbtq+ issues and on sex and sexuality. Carolyn has written and performed memoir work dealing with the complexities of growing up a catholic irish italian community dealing with class, racism, alcohol abuse and violence and is working on her first book.

When she is not climbing and hitting the streets she is playing with her dog Seamus, watching horror movies and listening to brutal metal.

Alan Kline (he/him)

Alan Kline is an AMGA certified Rock Guide and is an AMGA Ice instructor course graduate. He started guiding in 2007 in the desert southwest and ended up guiding all around the west for a few years. Alan has been guiding in the Gunks and up and down the east coast since moving to the area in 2010. Alan also has his Wilderness First Responder and previous experience as an EMT-B.

In his years of guiding Alan has particularly enjoyed his time spent increasing accessibility to those with traditional barriers to positive, supportive outdoors experiences. This inspired him to start dreaming of a non-profit guide service many years ago.

Teaching is another passion for Alan who looks forward to his role in Rise Outside as a mentor, technical guru, and guide.

Eric Ratkowski (he/him)

Eric is an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, SPI, and WFR. He grew up in Detroit, has been climbing for 17 years and guiding for 6.

Eric is inspired to activism by the example set in his family. His mother was deeply involved in social justice efforts, and his desire to contribute to the community has led to a role as a board member of the ParaCliffHangers, an editor for Accidents in North American Climbing, and a Ranger for the Mohonk Preserve.

Drawing on a wide range of experiences has been critical to Eric's development as an educator and guide. He is trained as an architect, and has worked as an industrial rigger, a furniture maker, a classroom teacher, and a draftsperson.

Katerine Grajales-Betancur (she/her)

Katerine is relatively new to the outdoor space and is looking to help foster and grow a community for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. When Katerine first started recreating in the outdoors she noticed the lack of diversity in the outdoors and it took her multiple years to finally find a community where she feels supported, encouraged, and accepted. She hopes to make it easier for other folks to find a community where they can grow as individuals and strives to help others overcome barriers when it comes to recreating in the outdoors.

Katerine is a local NJ leader for Brown Girls Climb (BGC). Brown Girls Climb is a women of color owned company that aims to promote and increase the visibility of diversity in climbing. BGC diligently works on creating a community of climbers of color by providing leaderships opportunities for women/non-binary folks of color.

Katerine is currently working on obtaining her WFR and SPI certifications.

Marian may Perez (they/them)

Alexis Krauss (she/her)

Alexis is a longtime lover of the outdoors and teaching. Alexis has been guiding adventures in the outdoors since 2016 and especially loves sharing the transformative power of nature with youth.

She is an outdoor educator for Wild Earth and a Wilderness First Responder. An avid climber, she is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and a NYS licensed climbing and hiking guide.

She is a co-founder of Young Women Who Crush, a climbing and leadership program for New York City girls and gender-expansive youth. Alexis is a working musician and one half of the band Sleigh Bells.

WE ALL DESERVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, PRACTICE, TEACH AND THRIVE IN OUTDOOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE JUST, DIVERSE, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE.