Sierra Rising

October 2026 | Yosemite National Park

Five days of connection, conservation, and community.

Sierra Rising is a transformative community-building event for rock climbers that blends mentorship, stewardship, and safety education. Join us in the heart of the Sierra to grow as a leader, give back to the park, and strengthen the climbing community.

2026 Participant Application

2026 Volunteer Application

Mentorship

Build authentic relationships with experienced guides, NPS rangers, and community leaders. We focus on bridge-building between current experts and the next generation of outdoor leaders.

Stewardship

Go beyond "Leave No Trace." Participate in daily conservation projects—from trail work to habitat restoration—that provide a direct, tangible benefit to Yosemite’s ecosystems.

Safety

Equip yourself with essential skills. Through field-based lessons on wilderness navigation and self-rescue basics, we aim to foster a safer and more resilient climbing community.

"To inspire a generation of climbers and outdoor leaders to protect Yosemite’s landscapes and people."

Sierra Rising is more than an event; it is a collaborative effort between Yosemite Safety & Mentorship (YOSAM), the National Park Service, and the Yosemite Conservancy.

Experience

Field Lessons

Small-group workshops led by YOSAR and community mentors. We cover technical skills, wilderness navigation, and climbing safety fundamentals.

Stewardship

Hands-on projects in the heart of the Valley. Participants contribute to trail work, habitat restoration, and tangible resource protection projects.


Community & Storytelling

Gather for group reflections, cultural interpretation sessions, and stories of Yosemite’s climbing legacy under the stars.


Application is live!

Space for this event is limited and participants will be selected by lottery. In order to be entered into the lottery, please fill out a participant application before the deadline June 14th at 11:50 pm PST. (This event is for those 18+ years old)

Interested in volunteering? Fill out our volunteer application by June 2nd, 2026 and tell us why you're a good fit!

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