Meet Xavier Bravo | Chicano Climber & Escaladores Unidos Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xavier Bravo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xavier, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own organization?
My relationship with “the outdoors” was always centered around sharing an experience with people. Growing up, I had a fairly large family and we often found ourselves without a home that could fit us all for gatherings so we used public parks as a place of celebration. Although my childhood in the suburbs of Chicago was not filled with memories of frolicking through a forest, wading in a river, or climbing up a mountain, I spent my time outside as a way to deepen relationships and create memories with other individuals. Once I gained the opportunity and freedom to explore more traditional outdoor pursuits (climbing, backpacking, etc.) in college, I often found myself distracted by the lack of individuals of color on trips I could share my experiences with. As I transitioned into adulthood, I dove headfirst into the outdoor industry guiding in states such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, and more. Once I settled in Colorado this past year, I used my newly acquired Single Pitch Instructor certification and connections within the outdoor industry through gyms, guiding services, and industry brands to help extend my passion of climbing with my passion for the Latine/x culture and help more Hispanic individuals get into the wonderful sport of climbing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After graduating college at Washington University in St. Louis, I worked for an environmental education non-profit in St. Louis called Gateway to the Great Outdoors. As a small non-profit, we wore many hats within our work and I quickly gained the skills necessary to become a successful Event Coordinator as well. Since moving away from St. Louis, I traded my laptop for a field guide and have guided backpacking trips through the winding canyons of Utah, canoe trips in the raging rivers of northern Wisconsin, kayaking expeditions through the remote fjords of Alaska, and most recently rock climbing the steep cliffs of Colorado. The magic of these areas were not only in their beauty, but their ability to have people connect so deeply while experiencing them. Through these powerful moments, I instantly knew these natural areas were something we ought to fight to protect. Since settling in Colorado, I started working full time for the American Alpine Club, the largest and oldest climbing non-profit in the US that works to protect climbing areas, educate climbers, and increase access to the sport. Although I am no longer in the field and I’ve transitioned back to office work, I know my work impacts thousands more than before and I still get to call the beautiful landscape that is Colorado my backyard. I would not say my journey in the outdoor industry was an easy one; I am the only individual in my family to pursue this line of work and so finding mentors within the industry has been a long journey. Thankfully, acceptance into programs like the Colorado Outward Bound School Emerging Leaders Program, Scarpa’s Athlete Mentorship Initiative, and the American Mountain Guide Association’s Affinity Courses has exposed me to industry leaders who have laid the foundations for me to pursue my passions. Escaladores Unidos is just one of those ways I have been able to combine my passions for climbing, and passions for my culture while giving back to the community that has given me so much more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For a weeklong trip, I would love to show my friends all the outdoor pursuits I’ve grown to love about Colorado: Scrambling the Flatirons, multi-pitch climbing in Eldorado, highlining across canyons in Lyons, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park while also being able to retreat back to the city for some amazing hispanic food in Westwood, roller nights at Tracks, and leisurely strolls and conversations through the Botanic Gardens.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If you were to meet my father along a crossroads, you probably would not think much of the encounter – simply one of the 7.8 billion of us who wander this Earth in pursuit of happiness. Luckily enough for me, growing under his mentorship has shown me what it means to live a truly fulfilling life. From some of the humblest beginnings, my father’s family immigrated from Michoacán, Mexico to the US. Soon after, he would be forced to hang his high school graduation robe and don the proverbial workers cap as teenage pregnancy demanded steady income. Despite these hardships and more, my father now holds a respectable position and continues to dream of climbing the corporate ladder. More often than not, he refers to his progress simply as luck, but I would define this “luck” as the philosopher Seneca has: an intersection of preparation and opportunity – and his strong work ethic has prepared him more than enough. In fact, is it this incredibly strong work ethic that has inspired me to persist through uncertain times. Although he never received a university degree, my father always encouraged my sister and I to pursue higher education. Imposter syndrome continually loomed over me from the first acceptance letter to graduation day, and even now as I continue down a vocational path unknown to my family. Regardless, my father continues to champion my cause and is my greatest sense of support in an unfamiliar world. He has not only taught me what unconditional love means, but also what it looks like and the vulnerability that comes with it. For the longest time I had never seen my father cry; hispanic heritage has not traditionally been kind to men who show strong emotions such as sadness, guilt, and anxiety. It was only until recently that I learned of his panic attacks as a young father struggling to provide for his children. When the anxiety became too much he resigned himself to therapy, opening a world of conversation and authenticity that continues to impress me to this day. I have struggled with my own vulnerability towards friends and loved ones, trying to mold my image as one of success despite the setbacks experienced by my family – a rose blooming in the concrete. More recently, late-night conversations with my father about his trials and tribulations have inspired me to continually work towards showing my most authentic self with others: the good, the rougher edges, and everything in between. Humility, persistence, support, and authenticity – these are just a few of the many lessons my father has unknowingly bestowed upon me, allowing me to view him as my most consistent and impactful mentor. I will continue to carve out my own legacy in this world, but truly my only wish is to have an influence on someone’s life as special and meaningful as the one he has given to me.

Website: https://www.escaladoresunidos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escaladoresunidos/ AND https://www.instagram.com/xavierbravo0217/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1061641181183720

Image Credits
1) Omar Herrera 2) Omar Herrera 3) Eddie Negrete 4) Felipe Tapia Nordenflycht 5) Eddie Negrete 6) Rob Murillo 7) Brice Powers 8) Rosie Sanchez 9) Nohemi Mora