Craggin' Classic

Craggin' Classic Invades the Wasatch - Click here for the 2009 event recap.

At a Craggin’ Classic event, the AAC goes grassroots and comes to you, uniting climbers in the area for a day at the crags and an afterparty to celebrate. What started as one cold and rainy national event in 2008 has now developed into three smaller events throughout the year, allowing more climbers the opportunity to join in without having to trek across the country.

The Craggin’ Classic celebrates two things: great climbing and great community. Each event is hosted near a local crag, and AAC partners Patagonia, The North Face, Black Diamond and others send in pro athletes to lead Sessions with the Pros—clinics held throughout the day and open to all attendees, regardless of skill level. Climb next to the greats and hone your skills in sessions like Sport Climbing for Boulderers, Bouldering for Weaklings, and Donini’s Old Man’s Guide to Climbing 5.12 (unofficially sponsored by the AARP). Climbers and members who live in the area and know every nook, cranny and crimp to be found lead locals-Only Tours, offering a backstage pass to some of their favorite places.

The day starts with breakfast, and groups head out from there to various crags. After a full day of putting up routes, sharing beta and general cranking, everyone comes back together for dinner, beer, slideshows, live music, and libations of choice until the place shuts down. It’s a climber party like none other, and a great chance for local climbers to meet others in the area as well as get involved with the local climbing organization, with whom AAC volunteers and staff work to make the event happen.

For a taste of the event, check out the 2009 Craggin’ Classic in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Climbers’ Association jumped on the bandwagon to rally support and helped pull off a fantastic weekend of climbing in the Wasatch Range.

While staff and volunteers hammer out details, check out the slated events for 2010 and watch the event calendar for forthcoming information:

• May 1: Chattanooga, TN
• May 8: New Paltz, NY
• August 28: Truckee, CA

We hope to see you there!