parks
As war grinds on, Ukrainian climbers build a new outdoor culture inspired by Yosemite
By Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 5, 2026
· 4 min read
Atop a steep granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours' drive west of Kyiv, hundreds of people pitched tents on a festival camping ground. By day, they climbed the rock face, swam in a nearby reservoir or enjoyed stand-up paddling. As evening fell, live bands and DJs took over the stage a...
Key takeaway The Stoned Climbers festival, which took place last week in the Zhytomyr region, is Ukraine’s biggest outdoors event combining climbing and live music.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own outdoor enthusiasts can appreciate the determination of Ukraine's climbing community to build a new culture despite the challenges of war. The success of the Stoned Climbers festival, which drew over 500 attendees, shows that people are eager to connect with nature and each other, even in difficult times. This phenomenon is not unique to Ukraine, as San Antonio's own parks and green spaces have long been a source of comfort and community for locals. The city's efforts to expand and improve its outdoor recreational areas, such as the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails, demonstrate a recognition of the importance of access to nature for both physical and mental well-being. As San Antonio continues to grow and develop, it will be interesting to see how the city's outdoor culture evolves and whether it can learn from the resilience and creativity of Ukraine's climbing community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Atop a steep granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours' drive west of Kyiv, hundreds of people pitched tents on a festival camping ground. By day, they climbed the rock face, swam in a nearby reservoir or enjoyed stand-up paddling. As evening fell, live bands and DJs took over the stage a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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