On July 18, 19, and 20, Quixadá, in the hinterland of Ceará, hosted the first edition of the Ceará Mountain Festival, sponsored by Gear Tips. Created to raise awareness about the conservation of mountain environments, the event featured practices and competitions in various outdoor disciplines such as trail running and climbing, as well as lectures and workshops.
The festival also promoted an organic fair with local producers and included the participation of local waste pickers from the Quixadá association for selective waste collection. “We aim to encourage sustainable practices, adventure sports, health, well-being, entrepreneurship, and knowledge. There were many experiences and exchanges between those who live the outdoor environment daily and those who are just starting out,” says Iale Silva Magalhães, one of the organizers of the Ceará Mountain Festival.
Climbing workshop at the Ceará Mountain Festival 2025
Quixadá: three of Brazil’s 50 classic routes are in the interior of Ceará
The choice of the city, located in the hinterland of Ceará, was no coincidence. “Quixadá is the main reference for mountaineering and outdoor activities in the state. It is internationally recognized for its excellent climate and ideal winds for paragliding, as well as for its variety of climbing styles. The city is featured in the guide *50 Vias Clássicas do Brasil*, by Flavio Daflon and Cintia Daflon, with three highlighted routes, and it deserves to be on the adventure and sustainability tourism map,” explains Iale.
Bruno Negreiros, Gear Tips’ socio-environmental responsibility coordinator, was amazed by the region’s natural beauty. “I was impressed when I arrived and saw those extraordinary monoliths. I found an already established climbing scene, but with great growth potential — both in the number of practitioners and routes, as well as in terms of sustainability. I’m sure that soon Quixadá will be discovered, put on the map, and become a true climbing mecca in Brazil.”
Bruno Negreiros, from Gear Tips, climbing during the Ceará Mountain Festival
Leave No Trace at the Ceará Mountain Festival
Among the highlights of the Ceará Mountain Festival program, the Leave No Trace concept was brought to the public through a lecture and a workshop with practical activities.
For Bruno Negreiros, it was an opportunity to expand knowledge and spark curiosity among the people of Ceará. “Many people attend these events to better understand activities such as climbing, trekking, and mountaineering. For these beginners, it is the perfect moment to introduce the concept of minimal impact from the start.”
Ingra Belmino, ecologist and climbing instructor at Escalada Ceará, was excited to see the impact of the content on Leave No Trace. “Those who participated in both the lecture and the workshop learned, exchanged ideas, and cleared up doubts about some procedures. Everyone commented afterwards.”
The ecologist also highlighted that the content presented by Bruno covered essential points for participants: conservation, care for the soil, vegetation, and the community. “Those who work with conservation know it’s a slow, meticulous effort. We always hope that these lessons touch people’s hearts so that they feel part of that environment — and therefore responsible for taking care of it. As an ecologist, it was very gratifying to see people talking about minimal impact and reflecting on what we can improve.”
Bruno during the Leave No Trace workshop
While Iale is already anticipating the possibility of holding the second edition of the Ceará Mountain Festival next year, Gear Tips is studying the feasibility of offering a class of the Leave No Trace – Instructor Level 1 course, from the CAPACITAR Program, in the region. “After the festival, people requested that the course be held, and we are evaluating the best way to make it happen. The interest is enormous. It is essential to bring Gear Tips to other states in Brazil and value new places, people, and perspectives,” Bruno concludes.
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