Our next SAMI Mentee spotlight shines on Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala, who had established quite the name for herself as a greatly respected contributor to the climbing community, professional in the outdoor industry, and strong advocate for inclusion and opportunity within the BIPOC community, before applying to this program. We were immediately inspired by her desire to give back and her motivation to advance her own athletic endeavors and eager for the opportunity to learn from each other!

Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala (Guachichil & Mexica) was born to Mexican immigrants in Ventura, CA but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina where she fell in love with the outdoors. In addition to having a strong desire to work with the land, she developed a passion for building community and social justice at a young age. Today, Monserrat is an outdoor educator, instructor, community organizer, climber, and danzante. As a bilingual instructor, she uses her language skills to teach non-English speaking communities as a certified Single Pitch Instructor, Apprentice Alpine Guide, JEDI consultant and Master LNT educator.

Monserrat gives back to her outdoor community in a big way through Brown Girls Climb, volunteering with Latino Outdoors Colorado, and instructor for Trailblazers Program a BIPOC Outdoor series through Women’s Wilderness. In addition to being an inspiration and mentor to outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, Monserrat is a volunteer dispatcher with the Colorado Rapid Response Network, a 24/7 hotline that monitors ICE and anti immigrant activity in Colorado.

With everything that Monserrate is already doing, we have no idea how she has time for anything else! But, she has big aspirations for her future, in all areas where her passions lie. Developing more technical skills for alpine adventures and exposure by focusing on winter anchors, alpine climbing, and technical practice, like crevasse rescue, is where Monserrate plans to focus improving her own athletic skills this year. But the driving force behind achieving those goals is so that she can continue to open doors for her communities in the outdoors. She strives to one day join all of her passions and love for communities at the intersection of BIPOC liberation, within and beyond the Outdoors.

We are so incredibly honored to work with Monserrat this year, and cannot wait to see how she impacts her world. Check out her latest project, where she provided solidarity training and gear for a migrant search and rescue group, The Armadillos. Armadillos provides support for migrants lost at the border and reunites families with their lost loved ones.

https://www.niunmigrantemenos.org/

Learn more about Monserrat here:

https://www.scarpa.com/community/athletes/monserrat-alvarez-matehuala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjw-I4NORyg