Arkansas Climbers Festival
The 1st Annual Climbers Festival has concluded.
We hope to see you next year from March 24 - 26, 2023 for more climbing fun!
2022 Festival Schedule
3pm - 7pm - Check In at the Pavillion
7pm - 10pm - Night Bouldering
7am - 9am - Registration opens (Pavillion)
Vendors (starting at 8am)
Shoe Demo (all day)
• La Sportiva
• Scarpa
• Tenaya
Petzel • La Sportiva • Patagonia • Scarpa • Ozark Outdoor Supply • Trango •
Fossil Cove • Big Agnes • So Ill • Rab • Tension • Sterling Rope • Wild Country •
Metolius • Black Diamond • Bedrock Sandals • Camelbak • Hydro Flask • Kelty • Natural State Publishing • AuxArc Climbing
8am - 12pm - Rappelling
Host: Scott Delvin
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
Learn the proper way to Rappel safely in many different environments.
8am - 12pm - Wilderness First Aid/ Self Rescue
Host: Dave Thompson
Meet: Pavillion
It’s so important to learn how to take care of yourself and your partner while in the backcountry. Learn creative ways to safely treat minor injuries and get an injured climber to safety. David has over 10 years experience as an EMT and a climber, combining both experiences into a unique class.
8am - 12pm - Rock Warriors Way, Falling and Commitment - $80
Host: Jon Richard
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
This training addresses falling directly to help improve commitment. Students will do progressive falling practice, followed by movement, breathing, resting, and body/mind awareness exercises. Finally, students apply everything to a goal route. Students leave understanding how to take appropriate risks and how to commit to those risks.
8am - 12pm - Intro to Trad Climbing
Host: Jeremy Collins
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
This class is for those who want to learn the art of traditional climbing. Jeremy has years of experience pacing gear and is excited to share his knowledge.
8am - 12pm - Kids at the Crag
Hosts: Mitchell & Megan Allen, and Jonathan & Katie Childs
Meet: Kindergarten Boulder
Just because you have kids doesn’t mean climbing is over! Enjoy the morning with other family climbing while learning tips and trick from experienced climbers and parents to make the most of your day the crag with your family!
8am - 9am - How to Tape for Crack Climbing and Injuries
Host: Sam Warren
Meet: Pavillion
Learn how to effectively and efficiently tape up for abrasive crack climbing or for supporting common climbing injuries.
9am - 12pm - Strength Training/Hangboarding
Host: Nick Chavez
Meet: Pavillion
Time to get strong! Nick will walk you through his ideas on how to take your strength to new heights.
11am to 12pm - Kettlebells for Climbing
Host: Kyle Rowden
Meet: Pavillion
Climbing requires full body strength and one of the best ways to achieve this is through the use of Kettlebells! Learn from one of the best in Kettlebell instructors, Kyle Rowden
1pm to 5pm - Vertical Photography
Host: Levi Harrell
Meet: Pavillion
Professional Outdoor Photographer Levi Harrell will help guide you on a tips to taking amazing outdoor photos and how to stay safe while doing so!
1pm to 5pm - Anchor Building
Host: Carol Fittell
Meet: Pavillion
Build confidence in traditional anchor systems through guided practice and discussion with American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor Carol Fittell.
- Analyze anchors using the NERDSS acronym
- Practice the NERDSS analysis on a variety of anchor rigging systems including the sliding-x and cordelette
- Evaluate traditional placements including cams, nuts, trees, and horns
- Practice rigging a variety of anchors on a combination of traditional placements
- Ask questions and dive deeper into concepts on request.
1pm to 5pm - Intro to Sport Climbing
Host: Jason Roy
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
If you are just getting started in the sport of climbing, this class is for you! Jason has over 20 years of guide experience teaching beginners to safely climb outdoors!
1pm to 5pm - Boulder Strong
Host: Nick Chavez
Meet: Pavillion
Take your bouldering to the next level with coach Nick!
1pm - 5pm - Rock Warriors Way, Falling and Commitment - $80
Host: Jon Richard
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
This training addresses falling directly to help improve commitment. Students will do progressive falling practice, followed by movement, breathing, resting, and body/mind awareness exercises. Finally, students apply everything to a goal route. Students leave understanding how to take appropriate risks and how to commit to those risks.
1pm - 7pm - Used Gear Swap/Trade/Sale
Host: ARCC Board
Meet: Pavillion
No one loves a landfill. Give your gear a second chance. Bring your used gear (and some cash) to swap, trade, or sell!
1pm - 2pm - Climber Specific Nutritional Considerations
Host: Jillian Moore
Meet: Pavillion
Climber and dietitian Jillian Moore will take you on a journey of how to best fuel yourself for climbing, prevent crashing on long days, and maximize the gains you want!
2pm - 3pm - Assessing Bolt Health, and Bolt Pulling
Host: Kyle Rowden
Meet: Pavillion
Kyle has spent 15 years developing climbs and replacing bolts, and will help you learn to identify bad bolts and how to replace them!
3pm - 4pm - Leave No Trace
Host: ARCC Board
Meet: Pavillion
Learn how to tread ethically and care for the wilderness that we recreate in.
Saturday Night
5pm - 7pm - Dinner Provided by ARCC
7pm - 7:30pm - Door Prizes
8pm - 8:45pm - Pro slideshow
9pm - 11pm - Music Party
7am - 8am - Coffee with ARCC board members (bring a mug!)
8am - 12pm - Trail Maintenance and Erosion
Host: Mitchell Allen
Meet: Pavillion
Keeping our trails and crag bases from eroding away is essential for sustainability of our climbing areas for years to come! Mitchell has years of experience building trails all around Arkansas. Join in not only to learn but to give back to the Ranch by fixing a much needed section of trail!
8am to 12pm - Anchor Building
Host: Carol Fittell
Meet: Pavillion
Build confidence in traditional anchor systems through guided practice and discussion with American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor Carol Fittell.
- Analyze anchors using the NERDSS acronym
- Practice the NERDSS analysis on a variety of anchor rigging systems including the sliding-x and cordelette
- Evaluate traditional placements including cams, nuts, trees, and horns
- Practice rigging a variety of anchors on a combination of traditional placements
- Ask questions and dive deeper into concepts on request
8:30am - 9:30am - Anchor Cleaning
1130am - 12:30pm - Anchor Cleaning
Host: Sam Warren
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
Cleaning anchors is a very important skill in climbing! Practice makes perfect, so spend an hour learning new way to clean anchors and stay safe!
9:30am - 10:30am - Gym to Crag
Host: Olivia Vitaterna
Meet: Pavillion
The transition from climbing indoors to outside can be tricky, but don’t worry. This workshop will go over the nuanced considerations in taking your love of climbing outside, outdoor ethics, rock safety, and ways to best prepare and pack to have a successful day outside.
10:30am - 11:30am - Advanced Stick Clipping
Host: Dave Thompson
Meet: North Forty Trailhead
Oh no! I left my stick clip at home! No need to solo to the first bolt after this class. Learn organic stick clipping techniques, how to use the most common stick clips in the proper ways and how to use your stick clip to never leave gear behind!
1pm - Water Bouldering at Kyle’s Landing (weather depending)
Host: ARCC Board
Meet: Trading post
11am - 3pm - Guided Climbing
Host: Olivia Vitaterna
Meet: Pavillion
Have questions on best practices? Need practice with skills you just got at the festival? Just want local beta and a trustworthy belayer? Get some dedicated instruction with Olivia.
