Maria Francisca Mas Riera analyzes climbing from a feminist perspective in her new research, after winning the competition promoted by the Gasteiz City Council. Previously, she has published works such as Escalantes, Ingrávidas, and Maternidades Escalantes, and has offered non-mixed workshops related to the topic in Gorliz and Zarautz.

Mas Riera has investigated the experiences in non-mixed workshops. "I had a desire to reflect what was lived in a research," the researcher explained. She presented herself to the Gasteiz competition with this idea and won, which has provided her with the resources to move forward with the analysis.

The research has been developed in Orbeko Etxea, although the initial intention was to conduct it in one of the three public climbing gyms in Gasteiz. Due to disagreements between the Department of Equality and the Department of Sports, it has been impossible to develop it in the capital, as the Department of Sports has placed numerous obstacles in the way of the work.

Mas Riera's first task was to gather participants for the research. She has gathered women and one non-binary person from Álava over 18 years old, forming a group of nine, although many more have shown interest. "I noticed there was interest in delving into something like this," she stated.

The participants have used pseudonyms: Ane, Cora, Harri, Sunflower, Nerea, Veleta, Juantxi, Renatoru, and Ortiga. The experience has been defined as Participatory Action Research, where the researcher is one more member of the group, working from a horizontal position.

The research has spanned five weeks, with weekly meetings at the Orbeko Etxea boulder. They have combined the physical aspect of climbing with reflection, addressing topics such as violence in sports, body diversity, and intersectionality.

Mas Riera has confirmed that climbing is a tool for transformation and that the group has created a small community. The participants have continued climbing even after the research concluded. "The sense of unity has been incredible, and above all, we have not felt judged," affirmed Veleta.

"It is fundamental to start a sports practice in a close and pleasant space for personal development, especially for those of us who do not conform to the norm," Mas Riera emphasized.

Mas Riera has spent five years analyzing climbing from a feminist perspective. "The book Escalantes offered a radiography of the violence and discrimination that women suffer in climbing. With this research, we have brought to light what we can do in the face of all these situations," she comments.

Regarding identity and risk, Mas Riera has highlighted the importance of choosing climbing partners appropriately and has encouraged living climbing from pleasure and play, calling to not view all physical activity solely through the lens of sport.

The participants in Mas Riera's research have valued the relationship created, group cohesion, and sense of community. A reflection of this is the I Encounter of Solidarity Sports held on May 17th in Orbeko Etxea, organized by the friends gathered in the research group.