The Salt Lake Craggin’ Classic, taking place Sept. 6 to 7, aims to prove Alta is for more than just skiers.
This year marks the second annual climbers event, put on by the American Alpine Club and the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance. It is geared toward helping climbers make the transition from the gym to the canyon.
Carl Dec, owner of Red River Adventures, said the Craggin’ Classic has something for climbers of all experience levels.
“There’s a variety of clinics available for everyone,” Dec says. “From someone who’s never climbed to folks who have been climbing for years, there’s something for everyone to learn.”
Dec is teaming up with the Momentum Indoor Climbing gym to teach some of the clinics that will be offered at the Craggin’ Classic. There are full-day classes and half-day classes covering a range of skills, from outdoor rock climbing for kids to an introduction to outdoor rock climbing.
But it won’t be all work and no play. Dec said there will be a vendor village where local companies can set up booths. Breakfast will be provided by Black Diamond on Saturday and Sunday, and there will be a dinner Saturday night with food from Himalayan Kitchen, followed by a slideshow and a DJ.
He said participation at this year’s Classic is expected to double, judging from other SLCA fundraisers earlier this year. Dec hopes students get involved too.
“I think a big sell to a portion of the student body [at the U] is the access to that outdoor recreation,” Dec says. “If you’re coming into Utah, or if you’ve been here … it’s a really good opportunity to get out there and meet people of a similar mindset.”
Chris McFarland, the climbing school director at Momentum, said the goal of the Craggin’ Classic is to bridge the gap between indoor climbing and outdoor climbing.
“Climbing’s all one sport, but there are differences between indoor and out,” he says.
There are three different ticket prices, depending on how much you want to participate. It costs $85 for the complete package: classes on Saturday, classes on Sunday and dinner on Saturday night. If you spend $45, you will get a day pass for either Saturday or Sunday. Another $25 will get you into the party on Saturday night.
Dec said the event will “bring the local climbing community together for a couple of days of fun and education in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.”
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