Phoebe Barkan

When the going gets tough, the tough desperately launch for the next hold? What a treat to join climbing friends, new and old, on some very fun para comp routes in the biggest little city in the world. A big thank you to @_caseyelliott who stepped in to call for me and @usaclimbing @usaparaclimbing_community and the routesetting team for giving us the much needed opportunity to compete. Always big love to @touchstoneclimbing for continued support. Not the same without @emilyseelenfreund Star struck by the Berberis in the Wilbur D. May Arboretum 🤩

meanwhile, back on the ranch...

I'm stoked that callers/sight guides for blind climbers are finally getting their flowers. Big thank you to @worldclimbing @climbkorea for shipping medals globally after World Champs and @usaclimbing Toya for such a beautiful presentation. I think @tomcondie515 is glowing a little bit 👏👏👏. If you want to learn more about calling or are a low vision/blind climber iso a caller, check out @kyra_condie 's resource page

With a full ACL tear, the only goal for USAC Paracllimbing Nationals was to see how it felt to compete knowing I was feeling far from 100%. With Johnathan as my caller, I felt like I had an ace up my sleeve. His climbing and setting experience helped me move efficiently and with confidence through a boatload of technical sequences. We found alternative beta to protect my knee and I was so pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had on the qualifying routes. Finals challenged me with a lot of small boxes and dime-sized feet and I'm proud that we worked through as much of the route as we did - WB3🥈! Always a delight to share the podium with these strong, kind humans: @climber_amy , Bob, @linn_poston , @rosarioclimbs . I couldn't have done it without the best training partners/travel buddies/friends imaginable: @emilyseelenfreund and @ellrubin literally and emotionally propped me up through the whole thing. Spending time with old climbing friends was a balm to my spirit. Meeting so many new crushers ( @paracliffhangers ) makes me excited to see what's next for our sport. huge thanks to @touchstoneclimbing for all the support and @touchstone_routesetters for letting me borrow jdub 📸 @gajdaphotography , @jilliansaurus , Emily Trombly

Back to where it all began... TEXAS! 2023 was my first @usaclimbing paraclimbing comp in Austin and I was just a scrawny ball of nerves back then. Now we're heading to Katy, TX to see if the kolaches are as good as I remember. @usaparaclimbing_community

Phoebe dedicated 2025 to comp climbing, spending all her free time practicing. She’s currently climbing harder than in her twenties, and placed 2nd in WB3 at World Champs! “I’m feeling so lucky about the whole thing,” Phoebe said. “The opportunity to travel to new places with my family, seeing what's possible if I challenge my body consistently and give my mind space to be curious about movement, growing friendships and meeting new people, all while doing this funny sport I love so much.” 📷: @janvirt.official @imtiffanyyu [Image description: ID1 - Person climbing an indoor wall, using handholds, wearing black climbing gear and a headset. ID2 - Two people smiling, one pointing, with a climbing wall backdrop. ID3 - A climber on an indoor climbing wall reaching for a red hold. ID4 - Climber on an indoor climbing wall gripping yellow holds, with a blue hold underfoot. ID5 - Three people smiling with medals around their necks in front of a logo-covered backdrop. ID6 - Two people with headsets, one wearing a USA Climbing tank top, stand side by side. ID7 - Rock climber ascending a wall with yellow and blue holds. ID8 - A climber in a black top and pants grips a hold, wearing a headset, against a white background.] #TeamCAF #BlindLife

99 Problems But a Witch Ain’t One (Wicked 2 and Getting Disability Representation Right) 🧙🏼‍♀️👩🏼‍🦽‍➡️👠 In anticipation of #wickedforgood we talk with long time, musical theater enthusiast & authentic wheelchair us Emily Seelenfreund about #disabilitycasting on Broadway and in Hollywood. We unpack the responses to @marissa_edob historic portrayal of #nessarose and what the musical could learn from the film. Disability Happy Hour is our new podcast centering conversations between real disabled people over drinks. Subscribe to spread #disabilityjoy ! #disabilityhumor #disabilitypride #wickedmovie #rubyredslippers #disabilitypodcast #wheelchairuser #wheelchairdance

And that's a wrap! A few weeks ago, I closed out my season at the IFSC World Championships in Seoul 🥈🎉 I dubbed 2025 "my big year of comp climbing" and dedicated all my free time to it: climbing, lifting, hangboarding, mobility, route reading, watching comp video, nutrition, mindset, blah blah blah. Here's how it shook out: ☑ climbing harder now than in my twenties ☑ feeling strong and injury free ☑ getting to try beautiful routes set just for us 👀 ☑ placing 2nd in WB3 at World Champs (vice champ or so I'm told) I'm feeling so lucky about the whole thing: the opportunity to travel to new places with my family, seeing what's possible if I challenge my body consistently and give my mind space to be curious about movement, growing friendships and meeting new people, all while doing this funny sport I love so much. It takes a village: @tomcondie515 hardest working caller in the game @emilyseelenfreund @ellrubin best training partners a girl could ask for @climbingcoachsam always having my back @touchstoneclimbing @berkeleyironworks home away from home @touchstone_routesetters a glut of fresh sets @mjones20 route reading savant @usaclimbing @usaparaclimbing team <3 @paracliffhangers community <3 @ifsclimbing a spectacular event @senaoutdoors favorite bluetooth headsets @cafoundation believing this matters @theskatercat @john.barkan1 MVP dog sitters Am I ready to work in the garden, bike in the hills, cook needlessly elaborate meals, and watch a movie? Why yes, yes I am. Did I climb yesterday? Umm, yeah. 📷: @janvirt.official @imtiffanyyu

WOW climb fest - @thenorthface knows how to make it interesting! Do I find this format intimidating and do I get a little seasick? Why yes, I do, but this opportunity in my hometown was too cool to pass up. 👏👏👏 to TNF for running a paraclimbing category and offering parity in prize money. So happy to have @tomcondie515 calling for me, @emilyseelenfreund repping on the panel, and climbing friends, old and new, to pal around with. Nice to share the podium with @natvorel and @chronically_climbing 📸: @oldmanmoon @jkh_photo

When there's gelato vending machines and mountains like these, plus a public pool with an epic waterslide, it's hard to leave Innsbruck

IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Innsbruck Recap 🥇!?! Being on such a legendary comp wall surrounded by climbing friends and fans was dreamy, not to mention very cool and creative routes by one of few female head setters. @linn_poston and @rosarioclimbs had the best performance in finals by far. Getting bumped into first place by another team's appeal against them doesn't feel great. IMO all bolts on comp routes for B climbers should be completely covered. Period. Nevertheless, I'm proud of how I climbed and how my caller Justin and I worked together. So pumped that callers/sight guides are getting the recognition they deserve at @ifsclimbing events 🏆. Every opportunity I get to compete, I learn something new about myself and know there are so many areas where I can improve. Proud to share the podium with a couple teens: the future is STRONG 💪. Couldn't have done it without these cool cats: @usaclimbing @touchstoneclimbing @climbingcoachsam @paracliffhangers @foreseeable.future Image descriptions in alt text 👀

SLC World Cup! What I love about WB3 is that we range in age from 16-61 and all just love climbing. The IFSC had medals for callers which is something we've been hoping for and am so happy to see implemented (though they were forgotten at podium). See classic B clibmer move of crimping a foot hold.