DENYSHI, Ukraine (AP) 鈥� Atop a steep granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours’ drive west of Kyiv, hundreds of people pitched tents on a festival camping ground. By day, they climbed the rock face, swam in a nearby reservoir or enjoyed stand-up paddling. As evening fell, live bands and DJs took over the stage as rock and electronic music drifted through the forest.
The Stoned Climbers festival, which took place last week in the , is Ukraine鈥檚 biggest outdoors event combining climbing and live music. Like many public events in , the festival blended ordinary leisure with reminders that the war is never far away.
Visitors received multiple air raid alert notifications on their phones throughout the weekend. Soldiers on leave quietly blended into the crowd, while organizers directed all profits from this year鈥檚 festival to a fundraising initiative supporting Ukraine鈥檚 Azov Brigade. Unlike last year, however, no Russian drones or missiles crossed the sky above the campsite on their way toward .
The volunteer-run festival was launched in 2023 by about 15 friends who had spent more than a year climbing together after becoming fascinated by Yosemite鈥檚 climbing culture.
has long been regarded as one of the birthplaces of modern rock climbing, where climbers built a counterculture around sleeping in tents, living out of vans and spending months on the granite walls of the valley.
鈥淲e realized climbing could be much more than just a sport,鈥� said festival co-founder Dmytro Isaienko, 39. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about a specific way of life 鈥� in nature, camping, on the rocks.鈥�
Isaienko and his friends wanted to challenge the perception that climbing was reserved for elite athletes. Their first festival attracted about 150 visitors. This summer, attendance grew to more than 500, most of them beginners or amateur climbers.
Organizing the festival during wartime has given it a broader purpose, Isaienko said. He believes creating places where people can gather, learn new skills and spend time together has become a way of sustaining one鈥檚 well-being through a prolonged war.
鈥淵ou need to get away from the war for a while,鈥� he said. 鈥淟eave Kyiv and come spend some time here together, a little longer than usual.鈥�
A climbing community grows even as war grinds on
On the rocks below, instructors help complete beginners fasten their harnesses, chalk their hands and search for the next hold on the granite wall. Whenever someone reaches the top of the 25-meter (82-feet) cliff 鈥� often for the first time 鈥� spectators, instructors and climbers break into applause.
Among the festival鈥檚 newcomers was 21-year-old Liliia Karpach, who traveled from Ukraine鈥檚 western Lviv region for her first Stoned Climbers festival.
鈥淚 decided to come because it had been a very long time since I鈥檇 climbed on real rocks,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also wanted to meet the community in person and get to know new people.鈥�
She said climbing is mental as well as physical exercise, and hopes others will give it a try.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e really nervous about coming on your own, invite some friends,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven if neither of you knows how to climb, you鈥檒l have a good time together.鈥�
Helping first-time climbers gain that confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of the festival for instructor Andrii Lamei, 24.
While belaying a young woman during her first climb, he calmly talked her through the most difficult part of the ascent. As she climbed higher, her movements became more confident. After reaching the top, Lamei encouraged her to pause before descending.
鈥淟ook around,鈥� he shouted. 鈥淓njoy the moment. You made it.鈥�
鈥淐limbing helps you work with stress,鈥� Lamei said. 鈥淚t helps you manage stressful situations in everyday life.鈥�
He dreams of climbing outside Ukraine one day but, like most Ukrainian men, he cannot leave the country while wartime travel restrictions remain in place.
鈥淚 want to go across the border to visit Yosemite, to visit Norway’s mountains, but I can鈥檛,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut maybe this is how I鈥檓 forced to enjoy what I have here.鈥�
For Isaienko, that is precisely why festivals like Stoned Climbers matter.
While many Ukrainians have put parts of their lives on hold during the war, he hopes the community taking shape around the cliffs shows that new traditions can still emerge.
鈥淭his is a festival for everyone,鈥� he said. 鈥淚ncluding people who have never tried climbing before.鈥�
And each time another first-time climber reaches the top, the applause rising from the rocks below suggests that, little by little, that community is growing.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
