SHELF ROAD CRAGGIN' CLASSIC
October 11-13, 2024
Registration opens August 15, 2024.
Tie in with the AAC and Tenaya for the infamous Shelf Road Craggin’ Classic! Together we will celebrate camaraderie and our shared love for Shelf—the land of limestone pocket pulling, crimp crushing, and bolt clipping.
Do some fabulous bolt clipping in the sun, get inspired, learn new techniques to up your game, and give some love to this amazing community, that’s the Shelf Road Craggin’ Classic in a nutshell.
Space is limited and THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT!
American Alpine Club Members Receive Discounted Craggin’ Tickets!
Join or renew your membership with the AAC—the biggest community of climbers in the country—and help protect the heart of climbing. We’re fighting for the quiet and wild climbing landscapes, and the most popular crags too. Join us in this fight today and get this limited edition t-shirt!
Event Schedule
coming soon.
PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: PIKES PEAK CLIMBERS ALLIANCE
The PPCA is a nonprofit climbing stewardship organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their mission is to promote sustainable use of local climbing areas, protect access, and engage the climbing community through events and educational opportunities.
They are named after Pikes Peak, but their stewardship work extends to many crags across the Southern Front Range of Colorado. Their main areas of focus include Shelf Road, Garden of the Gods, and the South Platte. Learn more and get involved!
VOLUNTEERING
We would love your help to make this community event a success! If you would like to volunteer to help with setup the day before, parking and check-in the day of, and/or clean up and breakdown the day after, we'll have something special to offer you in thanks!
ACCESSIBILITY
Access to area, Trails, & Crag Features: Mountain Project Link
The Banks and Cactus Cliffs area may be access via a high-clearance car for ADA-accomodations only (others must approach as normal). Access to the base of these cliffs may require more assistance for mobility-impaired folxs.
Trails are moderate (rocks & roots present) and can range from a 15 min approach to over an hour depending on the crag.
Shelf Road is home to many sport routes on quality, vertical limestone. It is known for its technical pockets and crimps, but overhanging routes can still be found if searched hard enough.
There will be 1 ADA Porta-Potty available near the vendor village.
CAMPING
Walk-in camping is included with your event ticket and is located at the base of The Bank road in a large flat area that includes cactus and other desert plants. There is plenty of tent space, however, please consider wearing close-toed shoes, and bring a ground cover. You will not be allowed to park next to your tent.
Limited car camping parking will be available as well. Be sure to pay for a parking pass to reserve your space. Expect to park close to others - space is extremely limited. There are no paved roads near the corrals/main event space, only dirt & gravel roads.
Off-site camping is by reservation only at nearby Sand Gulch CG and The Bank CG ($7). The Craggin Classic does not manage these reservations and must be made through the BLM. Additionally, there are several lodging options including hotels and a KOA campground in nearby Canon City.
Dogs are allowed at this event but must be leashed and attached to you at all times. You know your dog best, if it is anxious or territorial, please leave them at your campsite or car. If your dog starts fights, we will kindly ask for you to remove your dog from the vendor village. Dogs are not allowed at clinics without prior permission from the instructor.
PLEASE RESPECT THESE RULES as you may be asked to leave if disrespected!
FOOD + WATER
Food trucks will be available Friday & Saturday evening, with some vegetarian and gluten free options.
There is NO WATER onsite! Please plan ahead and bring enough water for everyone in your party for the weekend! (2 Gallons per person per day at minimum)
Registered stewardship volunteers will have free breakfast provided by the Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance
Climbers for Christ will have free breakfast for all Saturday and Sunday mornings.
ADDITIONAL INFO
There may be limited or no cell service at Shelf depending on your carrier.
The Vendor Village is built from the ground up. Limited lighting is available in the vendor village at night. Please plan to bring your own headlamp/light device to travel from your car/campground/bathrooms/etc. to the vendor village safely.
Our evening entertainment pieces will happen in the vendor village in the main event tent. It is a canopy-only tent and freely entered from 3 sides. Limited seating is available (~150 guests) with unlimited standing room.
The vendor village will only be able to be entered through the designated entrance on the northwest corner.
NO FIRES are allowed at the free camping area - only at the designated campground sites and the fire rings on Saturday night near the main tent. Cooking stoves are ok.
Please respect the dog guidelines listed above. Don’t ruin it for everyone because you think your dog is the exception.
Shelf Road is a high desert climate - temperatures can be near freezing at night this time of year, but warm during the day. Please plan and pack accordingly.
There are pit toilets at each of the campgrounds. Porta-potties and trash/recycling receptacles will be on site at Vendor Village/free camping area.
We encourage you to carpool to save the environment and limited parking space!
DIRECTIONS
From the North: Take I-25 South through Colorado Springs, to the Tejon/Nevada exit for Highway 115. Go straight through the stoplight (Tejon St) and turn right at the second light, Nevada Ave, which is the same as Highway 115. Follow 115 south to the town of Penrose, about 30 miles. Just south of Penrose is the junction with Highway 50- take this West toward Canon City, another 6 miles.
Once you come into Canon City, look for the Wal-Mart on your right. Turn right at Dozier Ave, just after the Wal-Mart, then again at the roundabout, heading north. Dozier winds around to the west and changes names to Central Ave. At the first stop sign, turn right (north) onto Field Ave, also called Co Rd 9 or Shelf Rd on various maps. Field heads north for another 9 miles. Just before the pavement ends, you’ll see a brown sign marked Sand Gulch, and another one marked The Bank, both with turns to the left. Take the second left toward The Bank, and look for Craggin Classic signs and/or volunteers!
*PLEASE NOTE: A mapping program may misdirect you. DO NOT drive Shelf Road proper in the vicinity of Cripple Creek. Go through Canon City following the above directions!
From the South: Take I-25 North to Highway 50 toward Canon City, and follow the above directions from there.
Contact Information
Xavier Bravo, AAC Shelf Road Event Coordinator
Phone: (720) 263-1751
Email: [email protected]