Arkansas Climbers Festival

The goal of this event is to bring together our community to learn new skills in many different areas of Rock Climbing! We will be bringing in experts in their fields to provide high quality training. The General Admission ticket will include camping and climbing passes to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, dinner Saturday night, and access to all workshops. Special clinics will need to be purchased as an add-on. Clinics will be broken into morning and afternoon sessions. Space is limited to first come first serve. Workshops are open to all, and are designed to be informative and fun! These will be shorter, giving those who want to climb during the day the ability to do so as well as take a short class and have fun. We hope that you leave the weekend with new skills and new friends! 2025 Festival Schedule Saturday, March 29, 2025 7:00 AM - Festival Check-In Starts 7:00 AM - Coffee with the Board 9:00 AM - Leave Vendor Village for Clinics Saturday Morning Clinics (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) **Clinics are an additional fee on top of General Admission. Please be sure to register as spots are first come first serve. Warriors Way - Falling Clinic Host: Jon Richard - Vertical Voyages Meet: Vendor Village 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. Movement in Climbing Host: Elisha Gallegos Meet: Vendor Village - Juniper booth The technique of movement on the wall is just as important as having strength. Learn to use your body and flexibility to get through different sequences. Trad Falls Host: Judith Brown Meet: Vendor Village Learn to TRUST your gear! I'll explain the nuances of trad lead falls compared to sport. Then we'll take turns falling (and catching falls) on gear... with a top rope backup. Helping climbers learn to confidently trust their skills on the rock. Bouldering 101 Host: Daniel Carnahan - Little Rock Climbing Center Meet: Vendor Village Learn the basics of bouldering, what the grades mean, what equipment you’ll need, basic. movement, and more! Bouldering 102  - Overcoming Plateaus Host: Jeremiah Cascariuo Meet: Vendor Village Hit a plateau? Don’t know what to do next in your training plan? Get some guidance on how to get stronger and reach that next level. Learning how to get into the right mindset for that project. Intro to Outdoor Bouldering Host: Jason Groves - Ozark Climbing Gym Meet: Vendor Village Want to boulder outdoors but don't know where to start? This workshop covers the basics from the very beginning: from learning how to carry multiple pads and creating safer landings to some tips and tricks to help find and send your first outdoor problems! We'll start at the Pavilion and head to the world famous Idaho Boulders as a group to do some real learning on the rock. Single Pitch Rescue Host: Randy Judycki - Austin Ascents Meet: Vendor Village - AR Ozarks Waterkeepers booth Prerequisites: This class is designed for climbers who have been climbing for at least 6 months and can comfortably lead 5.8 outdoors. During this clinic you will learn how to ascend a rope to help an injured climbing or a climber who is unable to be lowered to the ground. Also, we will learn how to takeover a belay. Rappelling Host: Scott Devlin Meet: Vendor Village - Ozark Outdoor Supply booth Learn the proper way to Rappel safely in many different environments. Intro to Trad Climbing Host: Chase Webb Meet: Vendor Village Curious about trad climbing and want to know more? Get hands on with a variety of traditional, clean climbing gear (cams, nuts, and more!). We’ll discuss the physics of good gear placements and practice placing and evaluating gear on the ground. Women in Climbing Host: Olivia M & Allison - HCR Guides Meet: Vendor Village Climb with a group of women and learn a few tips and tricks to better your technique. Wilderness First Aid Host: Dave Thompson - Arkansas Climbers Coalition Meet: Vendor Village - Natural State Beverage booth 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. Sport Climbing 101 Host: Diego Baca & Graedon Martinez Meet: Vendor Village Take your climbing to the next level and learn to confidently tie in on the sharp end. This beginner-friendly clinic is perfect for climbers starting their vertical journey. In this hands-on session, you'll learn the fundamental skills needed to safely enjoy sport climbing including belay techniques, using a stick clip to protect the start of your climb, and what to do when you reach the anchor. Gear List: Helmet, Harness, Shoes, Belay device/locking carabiner. Please bring along any other related gear you would like to use quickdraws, ropes, stick clips, etc. Adaptive Climbing Clinic Host: Nat Vorel Meet: Vendor Village Adaptive climbing makes rock climbing accessible through specialized techniques and equipment. Anyone interested in adaptive climbing to improve rapport and approachability with people of different backgrounds while providing an intriguing challenge. Host: Jeremy Collins Meet: Vendor Village Bring your burning questions for your dream destination and learn logistics and valuable time saving approaches before you go. Whether it's your first trip to Red Rocks, Yosemite, Potrero Chico or more far-flung international destinations, Jeremy has been practically everywhere and can help you prepare. Maybe you'll even get inspired to go somewhere that wasn't on your radar To bring: Your personal climbing gear [NEW] Managing Fear and Stress on Rock, Part I Host: Karly RageRager - RAB Athlete Meet: Vendor Village In this clinic, you will gain a more complete understanding of fear and stress in your body, reframe your responses as adaptable, and learn about specific cognitive tools you can use to start to change this experience for yourself. This clinic goes way beyond practice falls. I am incredibly passionate about the role our mental world plays in our climbing progression and cannot wait to help you navigate your mental landscape on rock! Come with an open mind! Gear Requirements: Harness, Helmet, Climbing Shoes, Chalk, Assisted Breaking Belay Device. Experience Level: ALL Saturday Morning Workshops (1-hour sessions, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Workshops are included in General Admission. No additional registration is needed to attend. Ticks - Facts and Hacks 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Host:  Olivia Vitaterna - Arkansas Rock Climbing Guides Meet: Movie Room (Under Lodge) Ticks. Love them, hate them, we have a whole lot of them here in Arkansas! Learn how to identify different types of ticks, how to best protect yourself from them, and know what to do if you do get bit by a tick. Bats & Other Wildlife at the Crag 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Host:  Giorgia Auteri - Bat Conservation International Meet: Movie Room (Under Lodge) Ticks. Love them, hate them, we have a whole lot of them here in Arkansas! Learn how to identify different types of ticks, how to best protect yourself from them, and know what to do if you do get bit by a tick. Little Ones at the Crag 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Hosts:  Ty and Krista Cloud Meet: Presentation Field 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! LUNCH TIME 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Pack a sack lunch, check out the Lodge or Trading post, there are many food options at HCR, just don’t feed the animals! Lunch Workshops (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM) Quick Anchor Cleaning (Workshop) Host: Sam Warren - Arkansas Rock Climbing Guides Cleaning anchors is a very important skill in climbing! Practice makes perfect, so spend some time learning new ways to clean anchors and stay safe! Saturday Afternoon Clinics (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM) **Clinics are an additional fee on top of General Admission. Please be sure to register as spots are first come first serve. Warriors Way - Falling Clinic Host: Jon Richard - Vertical Voyages Meet: Vendor Village 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. Intro to Trad Climbing Host: Elisha Gallegos Meet: Vendor Village Curious about trad climbing and want to know more? Get hands on with a variety of traditional, clean climbing gear (cams, nuts, and more!). We’ll discuss the physics of good gear placements and practice placing and evaluating gear on the ground. Multi Pitch Host: Bradley Dishman Meet: Vendor Village We’ll cover the basics of what you need to get going: how to prepare, what gear you’ll need, the step-by-step process of multi-pitch climbing, and other logistical issues. Youth Climbing Aged 12 and Up Host: Katie Jo Meyers Meet: Vendor Village Get your kids into climbing and learn how they can utilize problem solving skills along with healthy mental and physical exercise. Gear Anchors Host: Randy Judycki Meet: Vendor Village We will begin with a discussion of gear, its construction and best placement. Then we will move onto placing gear to insure everyone understands gear placements, options and removal. From here we move onto constructing anchors and rappelling off your own anchor. Bouldering 101 Host: Jason Groves - Ozark Climbing Gym Meet: Vendor Village Want to boulder outdoors but don't know where to start? This workshop covers the basics from the very beginning: from learning how to carry multiple pads and creating safer landings to some tips and tricks to help find and send your first outdoor problems! We'll start at the Pavilion and head to the world famous Idaho Boulders as a group to do some real learning on the rock. Approach to Projecting Host: Uli Garcia Meet: Vendor Village Have a climb that has caught your eye or just want to reach that next level? Learn tips and tricks to put you in the right mindset to send! There is a method to climbing hard and with this clinic we’ll guide you to how to train and measure progress towards your project. Fundamentals of Sports Anchors Host: Diego Baca & Graedon Martinez Meet: Vendor Village Whether you are a beginner or experienced, cleaning anchors is an essential skill for any climber. We’ll go over proper anchor-cleaning techniques to ensure both safety and efficiency. Gear List: Personal climbing equipment including harness and helmet. Along with personal anchor, belay/rappel device, 2-3 48” runners, 2-3 lockers. Feel free to bring any other gear you'd like to learn how to use better. Gear Symposium Host: Sam Warren Meet: Vendor Village The days of a single piton, static, rope, and hammer are way over. Climbing gear has evolved at a rapid rate and there is so much out there. What does it all do and what do you need to start your climbing journey? [NEW] Managing Fear and Stress on Rock, Part II Host: Karly RageRager - RAB Athlete Meet: Vendor Village In this clinic, you will gain a more complete understanding of fear and stress in your body, reframe your responses as adaptable, and learn about specific cognitive tools you can use to start to change this experience for yourself. This clinic goes way beyond practice falls. I am incredibly passionate about the role our mental world plays in our climbing progression and cannot wait to help you navigate your mental landscape on rock! Come with an open mind! Gear Requirements: Harness, Helmet, Climbing Shoes, Chalk, Assisted Breaking Belay Device. Experience Level: ALL Saturday Afternoon Workshops (1- Hour sessions, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM) Workshops are included in General Admission. No additional registration is needed to attend. Training for Climbing 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Host:  JD Borgeson Meet: Movie Room (Under Lodge) Learn helpful tips on getting the most out your training to climb harder and better! Become A Stick Clip Master 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Host: David Thompson Meet: Presentation Field Stick clipping that first bolt to prevent a ground fall is a great practice! But did you know there are different ways to stick clip and even remove gear? You also don’t even need a stick to clip if you know how to rodeo. ASL for Climbers 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Host:  Ciara Logan Meet: Movie Room (Under Lodge) Learn some American Sign Language (ASL) that could be used while climbing and what the most common signs are. There will be a Q&A as well as a 1v1 to make sure the signs are correct. Intro to Acro Yoga 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Host:  Sveta & Chris Meet: Presentation Field Sveta and Chris are international movement teachers with expertise ranging in such disciplines as: -Brazilian Jiu Jitsu -AcroYoga -Handstands -Calisthenics and bar fitness -Pole -Aerial Yoga -Slackline Yoga -Ashtanga/Hatha/Bikram/Vinyasa Certifications and experience were gained in multiple countries including Dutch acrobatics training in Europe, AcroYoga certs in LA and China, Multilingual yoga certificate (Chinese, English, Russian) in China and Russia. Throughout their teaching career they have led retreats and taught in over 20 countries. The love of movement starts at an early age and we must strive to break the norm and never lose our childlike eagerness to play. Saturday Night 5:00 PM - Dinner - HCR Lodge 6:30 PM - Raffle (purchase tickets at check-in station) 8:00 PM - Music and Social Hour 11:00 PM - Quiet Hours Begin Buy Tickets Date: March 28 - 30, 2025