Hundreds gathered at the Stoned Climbers festival in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine last week, where participants climbed a 25‑meter granite cliff, swam in a nearby reservoir, and enjoyed stand‑up paddling and live music. Air raid alerts were sent to phones throughout the weekend, though no Russian drones or missiles reached the site.

The volunteer‑run festival, launched in 2023 by about 15 friends who had been climbing together after becoming interested in Yosemite’s climbing culture, attracted more than 500 people this summer, up from roughly 150 at its first event. All proceeds were directed to a fundraising effort supporting Ukraine’s Azov Brigade.

Organizers said the gathering offers a chance to relax and build community during a prolonged conflict. Festival co‑founder Dmytro Isaienko, 39, noted that climbing provides a way of life that includes camping and time outdoors. First‑time climbers, such as 21‑year‑old Liliia Karpach from Lviv, described the experience as both mental and physical exercise. Instructor Andrii Lamei, 24, said climbing helps manage stress and improve confidence. Most Ukrainian men are unable to travel abroad because of wartime travel restrictions, limiting their ability to visit destinations such as Yosemite or Norway’s mountains.

Isaienko hopes the festival demonstrates that new traditions can emerge even as the war continues. Each first‑time climber who reaches the summit is met with applause, reinforcing the sense of a growing community.