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Bringing Veterans together through climbing, adventure, and connection.

Join us at a climbing meetup

Climb Together. Rise Together.

Vertical Vets is building a strong community of former service members and active-duty, guard, and reserve personnel through rock climbing.

We offer an accessible yet challenging environment for all skill levels by partnering with local organizations, such as the Virginia-based Sportrock Climbing Centers, and nationwide indoor climbing facilities like Movement, to host regular meetups, climbing clinics, and outdoor experiences. 

Our weekly gatherings currently take place across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, with plans to expand the Vertical Vets footprint more broadly in the future.

Visit our schedule and join us at the next meetup!

A woman with curly hair wearing climbing gear and a navy T-shirt giving a thumbs up while bouldering at an indoor climbing gym.

Hear What Our Members Have To Say

  • A man wearing a camouflage baseball cap and a black athletic shirt looking slightly upward.

    Trey, USCG

    "The biggest thing for me about Vertical Vets has been the camaraderie outside of work. There are people that I can still relate to with the military, but I don't feel the need to talk about things going on at work or in the shop. It's just folks with a similar sense of understanding."

  • A man with short hair wearing a dark gray T-shirt with a logo on the chest, standing in front of a plain background.

    Jason, USAF

    “It's super accessible. Everybody is very laid back. And you have all ranges, skill levels, ages, and services. So you're going to find somebody you relate with. And when I'm climbing, I feel safe because I know these guys. They're looking out for me, and I'm looking out for them.”

  • Woman with dark hair wearing a navy blue t-shirt with a logo, posing against a gray circular background.

    Kelly, USAF

    "It's very welcoming and a good group of people. Since I started, I'm now lead-certified, and I've gotten to climb outdoors for the first time. So I've hit all these milestones that I don't think I would have hit if I were climbing alone."