Reclaiming the Outdoors: How Two Mexican-American Climbers Found Their Way Up

02 Oct Reclaiming the Outdoors: How Two Mexican-American Climbers Found Their Way Up

Cowritten by Sofia Serrano and Monique Tudon 

The great outdoors: we recognize it the moment we’re in it. From winding trails and scenic hikes to rock climbs and camping trips, most of us have felt its pull at least once. 

Yet for some, access to outdoor spaces and activities isn’t easy, or even possible.  

For Cal State Fullerton students Mia Castro-Luis and Rodrigo Garcia Hernandez, becoming climbing wall leads at Associated Students Inc.’s Student Recreation Center (SRC) was an achievement that once felt out of reach.  

Now, as the first Mexican-American leads at the SRC climbing wall, they help fellow students reach new summits, literally and figuratively. Though they grew up with little exposure to the outdoors, their journey into leadership is a testament to breaking cultural barriers. 

Reflecting on their upbringing, Castro-Luis and Garcia Hernandez shared how they overcame challenges to build a meaningful connection with the outdoors. 

Green Spaces for Whom? A Look at Access and Identity 

According to a report from the Center for Disease Control, lower‐income and minority adolescents were less likely to live in neighborhoods that have safe sidewalks, parks, recreation centers or paths – a disparity Castro-Luis experienced first-hand. 

“There was a dump site near the elementary school I lived next to,” said Castro-Luis. “I remember the smell and how it affected the surrounding areas. At times, we weren’t allowed to go outside for recess because the air quality was so bad. This made me realize that low-income neighborhoods often receive the least attention when it comes to upgrading green spaces.” 

A fourth-year communications major from Huntington Beach, she recalls having limited exposure to outdoor exploration, as she didn’t have her first camping experience until she was 20. 

“Outdoor activities require a level of privilege; it’s expensive. You need proper shoes, gear and clothing to stay safe and protected,” she said.  

 For fourth-year journalism major Garcia Hernandez, that barrier was compounded by circumstance. Growing up in Lennox, a tight-knit Latino community in Los Angeles, he found deep pride in his roots but little opportunity to explore the outdoors.  

 “I’ve taken pride in being Latino and Mexican-American, and it has shaped who I am today. My people motivate me regardless of what they achieve,” said Garcia Hernandez. “Seeing my local street vendors create businesses inspires me. Hearing [vendors] yell, ‘Tamales, tamales y chapporados!’ every morning encourages me to hustle and keep going just like my people.”  

 Still, with his parents working long hours to provide for their family, outdoor trips were out of reach. For both Castro-Luis and Garcia Hernandez, that began to change at CSUF, where the SRC became a gateway to the outdoors.   

Finding Space in the Outdoors: A New Climb Begins 

A recent 10‑year survey by the National Park Service found that about 77 percent of visitors to national parks were white. 

Furthermore, while Hispanics make up more than 18 percent of the U.S. population, they account for about 10 percent of the outdoor recreation participant base.  

According to the Library of Congress, early U.S. national parks were largely created and marketed with white, middle- and upper-class Americans in mind, particularly as places for them to escape the growing urban environments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Despite these historical challenges, Castro-Luis and Garcia Hernandez found college to be the perfect ground of exploration.  

After initially applying to be a front desk attendant, the climbing wall caught Castro-Luis’s attention as a place where she felt she could impact others.  

“Before joining the program, I had zero experience with climbing. That’s what made this journey so meaningful,” said Castro-Luis. “As a first-generation Mexican-American student, I’ve learned that the only real difference is access to opportunity. I didn’t know what rock climbing was before joining the SRC.” 

For Garcia Hernandez, stepping into the outdoors meant finding the courage to explore something unfamiliar; new, yet exciting.  

“At first, not seeing anyone else who looked like me really made me feel timid about trying out rock climbing or being in the outdoor space,” he said. “But something in my head clicked, which actually motivated me to be a part of this space. It motivated me to gain more knowledge about the outdoor space as well as the sport itself.” 

They began as climbing wall attendants and worked their way up to leads, driven by curiosity and openness that brought them to heights they could have never imagined. Today, that same passion helps them elevate the climbing experience for Titans across the SRC. 

Curiosity to Community: Shaping the Titan Climbing Experience 

 For Castro-Luis and Garcia Hernandez, climbing became more than a personal challenge, it was a way to find belonging as Mexican-American, first-generation students. 

“Climbing is an independent sport, no one can climb the wall for you,” said Castro-Luis. “Just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s scary. That’s a mindset many first-generation students can relate to.” 

Their journey from beginners to leaders has helped shape the SRC climbing wall into a space where students feel both challenged and welcomed. Their presence brings representation to the wall itself, showing that the outdoors – and the climb – is for everyone. 

“A moment that has stood out to me is how I’ve been able to help students break through their fear of climbing,” said Castro-Luis. “I’ve formed strong bonds with regular climbers through shared experiences and similar backgrounds.”  

Workshops and skill-building sessions like Lead Climbing and Climbing Fundamentals, offer Titans of all backgrounds to get involved and challenge stereotypes about who belongs in the outdoors. 

“I have the privilege of setting routes on the climbing wall, which allows me to introduce diversity in my setting for students,” said Garcia Hernandez. “Even now, I still can’t believe that my first-gen Latina friend and I are running an entire climbing wall at Cal State Fullerton.” 

Scaling Barriers, Elevating Others 

For both leaders, climbing has become a path toward personal growth and a way to open doors for others like them.  

With one foot in the outdoors realm, Castro-Luis hopes to keep it open for others with similar experiences as herself. 

“That’s the kind of impact I want to leave behind,” she said. 

Castro-Luis now mentors newcomers and encourages them to try activities they may have never imagined. She draws inspiration from groups like Latinos Outdoors as well as the diversity she sees every day on campus.  

That’s not to say these experiences haven’t come without challenges. Garcia Hernandez noted that reaching his level of expertise required overcoming significant obstacles. 

“A moment that has stood out most was when I asked coworkers about setting up outdoor anchors and master points, and they refused to answer,” Garcia Hernandez said. “This initially shocked me, but then I understood that in this sport, it’s better to do your own research and learn how to do these things yourself, as many nuances in the sport can lead to horrific accidents if not properly understood.”   

Together, Castro-Luis and Garcia Hernandez have built a climbing space that reflects the very journey Garcia Hernandez described, transforming hesitation into empowerment.  

“Try everything that life presents to you,” Garcia Hernandez said. “For me, it was rock climbing. I could never have imagined myself pursuing this work when I was growing up.”