news & events
Published in Blog - News on 23rd April 2025
As part of this partnership, our team are heading to Lusaka in May to donate holds and setting equipment, deliver skills-sharing workshops, and support the wall as they host the country’s first international climbing competition.
A tale of two climbing walls, from London and Lusaka - united by a passion for the climbing and a belief in the power of grassroot sport to create opportunities and build community. Find out more about the story of our partnership and ways you can support below.
We believe in the power of sport to change lives. Running Mile End Climbing Wall for nearly forty years, we know the challenges (and the rewards) of building something from scratch - before the commercialisation of climbing walls and before the popularity of the sport really boomed…
Through his own climbing journey, Dan (Founder of Pa Mitengo) discovered not only the physical and mental benefits of the sport, but also the power of a diverse, connected community. Now based in Lusaka and driven by a passion to share that experience, he’s opened Zambia’s first indoor climbing wall. Though a commercial venture, the wall is built on authentic goals: to grow the sport locally, support emerging athletes, and create a space that brings people together.
Climbing is still relatively unknown in Zambia – but Pa Mitengo is working to change that. By introducing newcomers to the sport and showing how it can be a lifelong pursuit, it aims to build a solid foundation from the ground up. At the same time, it is championing local talent, helping Zambian climbers gain recognition and compete internationally. And more than just a climbing wall, Pa Mitengo is a space where locals and expats can connect through shared challenges and a passion for climbing.
We see ourselves in Pa Mitengo. An original climbing wall with a dedicated community figuring the next step out, experiencing the excitement that comes with that and the potential for new developments. We asked ourselves - if we could rewind time to the very beginning of Mile End Climbing Wall, what questions might our founders have for us today?
We’re packing our gear and heading off on an adventure to Zambia, supporting Pa Mitengo by:
Donating equipment. Shipping new holds into Zambia is complicated and the wall has limited resources, so we’re donating climbing holds and other essential setting gear so their route setters can get creative and set more varied routes.
Skills and knowledge sharing. Our Head of Routesetting, Will, and experienced setter and instructor Michele, are heading out to Lusaka to run workshops to share their knowledge and discuss ideas. Our Creative Lead, Kate, will also be supporting the wall to reach more people by sharing her skills on creating engaging social media content.
Supporting Zambia’s first international competition. We’ll be helping the wall prep for the Zambia’s first-ever international comp. It’s a huge moment for the Zambian climbing scene, and we’re honoured to be a small part of it.
With this trip, we’re laying the groundwork for something that can ripple outward - supporting a new generation of climbers and connecting with Zambia as part of the global climbing community. Crucially, we’re not here to define what the Zambian climbing scene should look like. We’re here to support the foundations so that it can grow into whatever it wants to become.
