Instagram story viewer> @venga_meli> Posts

Melissa Rojas

@venga_meli

453

followers

483

following

De aquí y de allá 🧗🏽‍♀️🇨🇴🇺🇸
Co-founder @escalaclimbing

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

double exposure and double takes

@arcteryx @arcteryxnewyork by @venga_meli

56

3

4 months ago

just a lil singlet moment

SYSTEM_A @arcteryx @arcteryxnewyork by @venga_meli

119

19

5 months ago

Climbers at a wedding x @veilance fashion show with @ninjatengu

¡Muchas felicidades a @wishiwasanalog and @chiguy___! Wishing you both much love and happiness in this next adventure 🫶🏽

@arcteryx @arcteryxnewyork @arcteryxchicago by @venga_meli

297

28

5 months ago

it’s ok i was hangdogging anyways

disclaimer: the gym is a shared community space, not complaining, just for a laugh by @venga_meli

55

0

9 months ago

La bendición

At the end of a Climbers Unidos mentor workshop this past weekend, @marisanicole9 and I took our group of climbers up to the parking lot with the plan to go back down and climb for a bit more. @__stephers__ had decided to join us for the rest of the afternoon as well.

While we took a break before heading down, three Hispanic ladies, abuelita and tía types, who we later learned were named Luz, Rita y Blanca, sat in the only shade around, the large cast shadow of the bathrooms, watching the canyon full of people recreating below. We struck up a conversation with them and they asked us about our gear and climbing and whether we got scared. They shared a sad story of someone they knew who had lost a son in the park. We said that we did get scared but it was just about understanding the risk. We spoke for a little longer then said our goodbyes, they asked us to be careful and we promised we would.

As we walked away, Rita nos dio la bendición, raising her hand and making the sign of the cross over us, a blessing of protection before we headed back onto the trailhead.

Sometimes it’s hard to explain why an event like Climbers Unidos exists but this passing moment provided something that I wasn’t looking for or maybe I didn’t know I wanted, an elder’s blessing before climbing.

Fotos by @__stephers__ taken in Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas by @venga_meli

81

6

a year ago

2021 vs 2025

Melissa, José, Víctor y Cara: The very first Escala meetup crew reunited.

The very first Escala meetup began with an idea and four people who saw a humble flyer on the gym bulletin board.

Escala began as a purely selfish idea to meet and climb with people like me que me pudieran entender a como me salieran las palabras whether en inglés or in Spanish. It has become that and so much more. A community of alegría, laughter and warmth. A community of people that sees ourselves reflected in each other, celebrating what we love about our culture and examining what we want to change.

Four years later, countless connections, friendships, and memories have been made and at least one marriage we can take credit for. From one local chapter to six chapters in different regions across the U.S., I am truly humbled by the continued trust granted to us by our community to create a space to connect and climb.

Sharing an idea with the world can be scary and risky but if the last four years have taught me anything it’s that the first people to show up and step into the fear and risk with you will be the community you’ve been searching for.

-Meli by @venga_meli

145

19

a year ago

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from @alitaclimbing it’s to be aware of what you’re telling yourself.

At the end of the session, @yaarisss convinced me to try this one. Here’s what I remember from my inner chat. by @venga_meli

34

2

a year ago

Never forget how far you’ve come by @venga_meli

100

5

a year ago

casually stealing beta by @venga_meli

51

0

a year ago

peak 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

.
.
.
.
#escalada #rockclimbing #colombia #latina #latinooutdoors #latinos #hispanic taken in La Mojarra, Mesa de los Santos by @venga_meli

91

11

a year ago

happy día de las madres from all the mothers i’ve been

i was a mom long before i was a climber and for a while climbing was a way to find that spirit of aventada again. each one of these melissas was different than the one before, más fuerte than the one before. however you celebrate this day or not, i hope you make space for yourself.

feliz día to anyone who does this work and cheers to doing what we can with what we’ve got by @venga_meli

81

15

a year ago

☾ Melissa has notifications silenced

@escala_dc @escalaclimbing
@arcteryxwashingtondc

📷 @jorgetil
.
.
.
.
#latina #climbing #rockclimbing #latinooutdoors by @venga_meli

72

1

a year ago