MOAB CRAGGIN' CLASSIC

Spring 2025



The Moab Craggin’ Classic, powered by Tenaya, is the definitive grassroots desert climbers fest. Rally to the desert with the AAC for some sandstone cruxing!

The Moab Craggin’ Classic, powered by C.A.M.P., is the grassroots desert climbers fest! We'll be re-uniting a celebration of all things climbing. Rally to the desert with the AAC and your fellow climbers to learn new skills, meet new climbing partners, give back to our local crags, and celebrate our awesome climbing community.

Up your game with climbing clinics taught by local climbing guides and pro climbers like Dru Mack, Marcus Garcia, and more. Covering a variety of topics, there are clinics for all skill levels.

Inspiring stories, films, speakers, live music and more—our programming is stacked! World Premier of Mary’s 5’14 send and Brittany’s big wall experience, our films surely speak for themselves.

Evenings are for partying, so we’ll have beer from the Moab Brewery, costume contest, a Silent Disco, gear giveaways, a silent auction and so much more! Throughout the festival you can enjoy perusing the vendor village, competitions, games, and gear demos. Local food brought to you by The Little Pink Food Truck.

So grab a buddy and rally to the desert for the Moab Craggin’ Classic!


Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @cragginclassicmoab to stay in the loop on event details and updates.


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!


2023 Event Schedule

Check out last year’s schedule for a glimpse into the fun!

  • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Friday Clinics
    You asked, we answered! Because demand has been so high, we’ve added a second day of clinics. There are a limited number of half day clinics. You can sign up for both a Friday and Saturday clinic. See clinic details below.

    2:00-10:00 PM Event Check-in Open
    Event headquarters are at the Spanish Trail Arena in Moab, UT!

    3:00 pm -5:00 PM Crag Dog Training with Clear Mind Canine

    Take your adventure pup to the next level with THE Crag Dog Course!

    4:00 pm -10:00 PM Kickoff party, bar opens, raffle, games and evening entertainment!

    Join us for an evening of fun! Enjoy some tasty beer from the Moab Brewery, presentations, raffle, and general shenanigans at Vendor Village! Be a Craggin’ Classic all-star and take home some prizes. The Little Pink Truck will be there as well, serving up yummy food from their food truck.

    5:00 PM Rope Rug

    Be sure to sign-up for the Rope Rug Workshop! Give your rope a second life with this workshop.

    Bring an old, but clean rope and make a new rug for your house, van or wherever!

    7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Mountain Hardware Wheelbarrow Race and on-belay race!

    8:00 PM - 8:30 PM Marcus Garcia Presentation

    “Vulnerability is a Superpower”with Marcus Garcia, Professional Climber. Film screening of "The Mentor" brought to you by Osprey

    Join us as professional climber and guide Marcus Garcia shares the emotional journey of connecting deeply with his climbing mentor and how he managed the grief that came. When his mentor died in an accident. Through this journey Marcus discovered a deep meaning and value in grief and why mentoring is important. The power of vulnerability allowed him to find meaning in grief.

    The talk will conclude with a powerful film called “The Mentor” which documents some of Marcus’s journey.

    8:30 PM Raffle Time
    Score great gear deals while supporting the AAC's work and Live Your Dream Grant! Head to the AAC tent to get your raffle tickets before the drawing!

    8:45 PM - 10:30 PM Film Premier! Professional Dirtbag: From Dumpster Hauls to Big Walls.

    The feature film follows Brittany Goris’ journey to climb her first ever big wall - free climbing the storied Salathé Wall of El Capitan. The film concurrently explores the journeys of her heroes, while exploring connection to purpose, place, community, history, and gender dynamics within climbing. The film explores Brittany’s inspiration from, and honors the life and legacy of, Todd Skinner — who, alongside Paul Piana made the first free ascent of El Capitan via the Salathé Wall in 1988.

  • 8:00 AM Gear Demos Begin & Breakfast with Climber’s for Christ
    Your weekend pass includes access to gear demos (additional collateral required). Try out the latest and greatest gear at the crag Saturday, during your clinic or on your own. Demos are arranged with our fantastic sponsors at the Vendor Village.

    Enjoy breakfast brought to you by Climber’s for Christ.

    8:40 AM Meet at Vendor Village for Clinics
    Come prepared for the day with plenty of water, personal climbing gear, lunch, sunscreen, and a thirst for knowledge!

    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Climbing Clinics with the Pros
    Take your climbing to a new level by signing up for a climbing clinic taught by professional climbers and local guides! Climbers of all abilities are welcome, though basic climbing knowledge and proficiency is expected. Learn the skills you need to climb more comfortably and efficiently in the desert and beyond. **Clinic list and details below.

    12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Check-in Open
    Event headquarters are at the Spanish Trail Arena

    4:00 PM Tappin’ the Keg & Hanging in the Vendor Village!
    Gather with the crew and enjoy some tasty beer from Moab Brewery, music, silent auction, raffle, costume contest and general shenanigans! Be sure to stop by the Little Pink Food Truck for a yummy dinner!

    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Get your stretch on with Ramon Roget - Stretching for Climbing

    5:30 PM - 6:30 PM TINCUP Whiskey Happy Hour

    Make your way to the AAC tent for a tasty cocktail made with TINCUP Mountain Whiskey. We'll be serving up this Rocky Mountain made deliciousness to those 21+ but remember to bring your Craggin' Classic cup to keep the event green!

    7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Film Premier!

    Return to Sender

    Suspended in the air hundreds of feet above Oregon’s Crooked River, a group of highliners from around North America attempt to rig and walk the longest known highline in the United States, nearly a mile in length. This film shares the story behind the rigging process, community, risks, the mental and physical experiences of highlining, and ultimately what it takes to walk across.

    7:30 PM - 8:00 PM Film Premier!

    Mary Eden’s FFA of Necronomicon, a 14.a Roofcrack in the White Rim of Canyonlands National Park

    8:00 PM: Silent Auction Bidding Closes & Raffle Time!
    Be sure to check out the amazing items and get your bids in before it closes! Every dollar raised supports the AAC’s work protecting wild places, educating climbers, and building community.

    We’ve got a stacked raffle, filled with gear, art and more for you to win. So buy your raffle tickets and get ready to win!

    8:30 PM Silent Auction Winners Announced!

    8:45 PM Costume Contest!

    Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean we end the Costume Contest! Bring your best costume and take home a prize!

    9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Silent Disco and La Sportiva DJ Dance Party
    Keep the party going with DJ Dan Dasana. Dance, shake and boogie and have yourself a Dance Party!

  • 8:30 AM - Breakfast with Climber’s for Christ

    Enjoy breakfast brought to you by Climber’s for Christ.

    9:00 AM: Crag Stewardship Project

    Join the Friends of Indian Creek and Moab Trail Mix for our Sunday Stewardship Project at Castleton Tower Campground. Help preserve access for years to come by minimizing user impacts. Project attendees will be delineating the parking and camping areas and cleaning up the area. Free breakfast provided at the worksite and attendees will receive entry into a raffle for a grand prize for giving back!

    9:00 AM - 10:30AM- Gathering with the Climber’s Grief Fund

    9:00 AM - Yoga with Desert Power Yoga


2023 Clinic Offerings

Clinic offerings will include local-specific topics, as well as universally applicable climbing techniques. Clinics will be conducted with pro athletes and local professional guides. Space is limited for all clinics and have a minimum participant number.

CLINIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 

Founded in 2019, Smile Mountain Guides is a company built on the idea of “SHARING GROWTH AND EXPLORATION IN THE MOUNTAINS”, connecting clients with talented, motivated, and personable guides who have a genuine interest in helping people achieve their goals. There is nothing cookie-cutter about what we do. Each of Smile’s team members embodies our core values of PASSION, PARTNERSHIP, PERSEVERANCE, and CREATIVITY.

We all have chosen a career as professional guides working in the field year-round. Because of this and because of our passion to be in the mountains personally, our guides also have significant time climbing and skiing in venues around the world. This gives them a unique opportunity to not only educate but also inspire, relate to you, and work out the best experience for you. 

Smile is permitted in major climbing destinations between Colorado and Utah to have the greatest number of options available for climbers to progress. Our home base is Colorado, with main operations in the Front Range and on the Western Slope. All areas offer great access to climbing and powerful instructional venues.

Friday Clinics (Half-Day)

  • Climbing outside for the first time can be a little intimidating. Take the skills you have learned in the gym and apply them to an outdoor setting. Also learn the additional skills you will need to be successful outside like cleaning anchors, stick clipping, reading a guidebook, picking routes, outdoor climbing ethics and considerations.

    Skill Level: Must be able to top rope belay. All climbing skill levels welcome!

    Equipment Needed: Harness, shoes, helmet, belay device

  • There is a lot of complicated information out there about anchor systems. Learn to spot the good from the bad, and what is important in your system? In this clinic, Marcus will talk and explain the basic anchors system, about what really matters in building anchors and keeping a team secure on climbs. This clinic focuses on the simplicity of anchors and helps to answer questions about the use of different anchor setups. Students walk away with new knowledge of anchors whether new or more experience.

    1. Anchoring the team to the wall.

    2. Loads on the anchor

    3. Protecting the climber

    4. Protecting fixed anchors

    5. Basic Top rope set up

    6. Basic Sport climbing anchors

    7. If area presents itself, trad anchors, natural anchors

    8. Top site rope anchors,

    9. Belay anchors and transition

    Skill Level - All welcome!

    Equipment needed - Provided, but if you want to bring your gear - here is the list: PAS, 2 d shape 3 pear or HMS locking carabiner, 4 non lockers, 20’ Cordelette, 13” prusik , shoulder sling (24’) double length or 160 cm and a 240 cm or quad length sewn sling.

  • This group is intended for climbers who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. We recognize that single-pitch rescue skills are a powerful tool for safety, access, and empowerment, and this clinic will provide an opportunity to learn these skills in a safe and supportive environment. During this clinic, we will discuss related topics to potential climbing hazards, mitigation strategies, and single-pitch rescue skills. There will be opportunities to practice and hone these skills on the wall. We Will Cover: Essential knots and hitches, escaping the belay, rope ascension, raising systems, and activating and/or working with organized SAR and EMS.

    Skill Level - Top Rope Belay proficient, familiarity with Gri-Gri

    Equipment needed - Helmet, Harness, Gri-Gri, ATC, 3rd Hand (Hollowblock, cordelette, etc.), Double-Length Sling, Assortment of locking & non-locking carabiners (at least 2 of each).

  • In this workshop, we'll discuss why our inner critics play a particular role in our performance, and learn how we can quiet the critic and turn it into self-compassion, empathy, and curiosity in order to achieve better results - in whatever way that means for you.

    Skill Level - All Levels Welcome

    Equipment Needed - Just a notebook!

  • Let's get comfortable pushing our boundaries bouldering outside! Bouldering outside can be intimidating, but you will learn the skills you need to be safe while having fun so you can go for it and try hard on rocks.

    All Skill levels welcome!

    Equipment Needed - Chalk, Shoes & Crash Pad (if you have one!)

Saturday Clinics (Full-Day)

  • Want to learn how to project a route? OR want to learn better projecting skills so you can take on your next project with more confidence? Projecting is a process that involves a lot of patience, strategy, success and failure. In this clinic, you will learn how to take on a project by breaking down the big goal of sending into smaller, more manageable steps. You will learn that failure is just a part of the process, and what really matters is that you have a plan for how to fail better.. and to have fun along the way!

    Skill Level - 5.9 sport lead outside

    Equipment needed - harness, helmet, shoes, belay device, brush. Optional: draws, rope

  • There is a lot of complicated information out there about anchor systems. Learn to spot the good from the bad, and what is important in your system? In this clinic, Marcus will talk and explain the basic anchors system, about what really matters in building anchors and keeping a team secure on climbs. This clinic focuses on the simplicity of anchors and helps to answer questions about the use of different anchor setups. Students walk away with new knowledge of anchors whether new or more experience.

    1. Anchoring the team to the wall.

    2. Loads on the anchor

    3. Protecting the climber

    4. Protecting fixed anchors

    5. Basic Top rope set up

    6. Basic Sport climbing anchors

    7. If area presents itself, trad anchors, natural anchors

    8. Top site rope anchors,

    9. Belay anchors and transition

    Skill Level - All welcome!

    Equipment needed - Provided, but if you want to bring your gear - here is the list: PAS, 2 d shape 3 pear or HMS locking carabiner, 4 non lockers, 20’ Cordelette, 13” prusik , shoulder sling (24’) double length or 160 cm and a 240 cm or quad length sewn sling.

  • Taught by the accomplished in every size, Mary Eden @tradprincess, this clinic includes a variety of crack routes and sizes with near-unlimited access to trad gear. These clinics are great for anyone with a general 5.9 fitness stoked on crack climbing! This clinic is meant to take your trad/crack climbing to a whole new level. Do you want to learn the basics of how to hand jam? Or the elusive ring lock and paddle hand? This Clinic is for you!

    Skill Level - 5.9 Trad lead and up

    Equipment needed: Personal kit needed only; helmet, belay device, harness, shoes, chalk bag, back pack

  • Learn the basics with our first ever Kid's Clinic! We will go over the basics of climbing with an introduction into Trad and Crack Climbing technique. This clinic is for children 12 and under, and must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant will receive a pair of crack gloves to keep.

    Skill Level - All Levels Welcome

    Equipment needed: Harness, shoes, helmet

  • You already know the jams, now it's time to put them to use! The goal of this clinic will be to help you find more flow in your crack climbing by focusing on more subtle and advanced techniques, as well as give you the tools to step outside your comfort zone and push your limits onto harder terrain. Get ready to tear some gobis, take some whippers, and send your projects!

    Skill Level - Advanced

    Equipment needed - Harness and Ropes preferred; Bring your Trad Rack if you have one.

  • Join Moxie Mountain Guides - Partners of Sterling - to learn and hone the skills necessary to climb in various single-pitch settings. Whether you're looking to develop self-sufficiency in an outdoor environment or refine your skills prior to an SPI course or exam, we will help you gain technical competency. Skills/topics to be covered might include: knot tying and specific application, proper protection placement, anchoring and climbing in top and bottom managed environments, partnership building, technical descents. Sheldon Kerr and Kristin Arnold are two of sixteen women, IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guides in the USA. They are members of the AMGA Instructor Team and co-owners of Moxie Mountain Guides. Moxie is a mission-driven guide service that removes barriers to high-end technical guiding and instruction.

    Skill Level - 2 yrs outdoor climbing experience, genuine interest in facilitating and/or instructing rock climbing in a single-pitch environment, competency belaying a leader

    Equipment Needed - Approach Shoes, Harness, Helmet, ATC, Gri Gri, Prussik, Anchoring Material (48" Slings, Cordelette, Personal Anchor System, 4 non-lockers, 5 lockers )--bring what you have and we'll supply the whatever is missing from your quiver

  • Adaptive climbing aims to make rock climbing more accessible for people with disabilities through the use of specialized techniques and equipment. The clinic will be ran by Dave Egan and the National Ability Center. The NAC is an adaptive recreation organization based in Park City and will be providing a variety of adaptive climbing equipment including seat harnesses, chest harnesses, a mechanical advantage system, grip assists and more.This clinic is an opportunity to climb with other adaptive athletes and try out different systems and techniques to figure out what works for you. Open to all abilities and experience levels.

    Skill Level - All Levels Welcome

    Equipment Needed - Shoes, helmet & harness

  • Learn various crack climbing techniques to improve performance and comfort on all crack types. This course provides a solid foundation in hand, finger and foot jamming techniques, an introduction to off size jamming and more.

    Skill Level - Desire to crack climb! Personal climbing experience recommended. Participants must identify as woman, non-binary, trans, or genderqueer and be comfortable in spaces that center around the experience of women.

    Equipment Needed - Personal climbing equipment including helmet, harness, shoes, belay device etc. Crack gloves or climbing tape encouraged.

  • We have a relationship between ourselves and rock climbing. Some aren't very strong, some are toxic and mean, and others are beautiful. This clinic helps participants develop a stronger and healthier relationship to climbing, while we explore mindset as an athlete, self talk, and fear management skills as it relates to falling, commitment and of the unknown. This isn't your typical fear of falling clinic, as we go beyond just the fear of falling, while establishing safe spaces of exploration and are taught in a trauma informed manner. During this one-day clinic you can expect to climb, receive journal prompts, be invited to explore comfort zones boundaries, and have lots of fun.

    Skill Level - All levels welcome

    Equipment Needed - Participants need to bring personal climbing gear, as well as ropes/draws if they have them, helmets, and also a journal and pen.

  • Some routes are just so big and far away that pitch numbers and approach times don’t accurately describe the magnitude of the objective at hand. This clinic is designed to provide the fundamental tools for how to get out to remote locations and attempt big routes in a safe and efficient manner. We will discuss ways to move efficiently while rock climbing in alpine terrain, ways to descend safely, and skills central to developing your mountain sense as alpine rock climbers.

    Skill Level - Participants will benefit most from this clinic if they are climbing in the 5.8 or harder range on trad. Aside from that, just the ability to belay and an interest in alpine rock climbing.

    Equipment needed: The bare minimum is personal gear, shoes, harness, belay device, helmet, chalkbag. However, if folks would like to bring their own gear to learn with, they can bring their trad racks and any of that sort of gear they’d like to learn how to better use.

  • Using only the gear climbers normally carry, this clinic presents the skills that can be combined for retreats and rescues on multipitch climbs. The skills will be taught and practiced so participants should expect to be hands on and engaged.

    Skill Level - Minimum 1-2 years of climbing experience. Experience or desire to climb multipitch climbs. Familiarity with belaying from above.

    Equipment Needed - 3 locking carabiners. 3 non-locking carabiners. 1 auto-blocking belay device(CAMP Piu, etc). 1 120cm sewn sling (Dyneema, Nylon, etc), 1 Sterling Hollowblock (or similar 13-15 inch loop for tying friction hitches). Each clinic participant will receive a Nano 22 carabiner and Sterling Hollowblock

GEAR DEMOS ARE AVAILABLE!


2023 Workshops and Meet-Ups

  • Join the Climb United Meet-up for a day of for a FREE day of climbing, conversation, and community (and maybe even some swag!). Supported by our partner: Osprey 

    To be mindful of individuals’ needs, we may subdivide into smaller groups the day of to best accommodate personal needs and obstacles while maintaining an appropriate group size. Please note that this is not a guided session, and no climbing instruction will be provided. Bring your own climbing gear if you have it and we will make sure to have some extras on hand. 

    Who Is this for: We encourage participation from marginalized climbers and allies.

    When: Saturday, 9am - 4pm

    Where: Meet at the AAC booth at 9 before we head to Big Bend Boulders!

    Cost: FREE, registration required

  • Heather Ross CPDT-KA CBCC-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Canine Behavior Consultant) of Clear Mind Canine brings over a decade of dog training to the unique training needs for a crag dog.

    Learn how to communicate effectively, teach a relaxed settle, a rocket fast recall and body awareness/fitness skills. Our goal is to build a canine partner who is welcome and comfortable at the crag.

    This workshop will get you and your dog started on all the core elements of the upcoming online Crag Dog Course: https://www.clearmindcanine.com/

  • Make your own rope rug to take home!

    Free! Registration required. Must bring your own old, but clean climbing rope.

  • Ramon Valls Roget is a Physical Education (PE) teacher, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Activity and Sport and he is also an Osteopath. Author of the first international book of stretching for climbing focused on lines of force. With 20 years of experience in physical activity and health.

    In this session we are going to stretch the muscular chains most involved in climbing, with the main goal is to find more flexibility, articular mobility, and raise the biomechanical efficiency.

  • When Things Go Wrong: How Do We Recover?

    Developing the Resiliency to Bounce-back

    As climbers, there is one critical piece of gear that we often overlook. Just as important as our climbing ropes, harness, and hardware, is our mental edge.  We are always balancing risk and reward, and managing our mental game. We climb because we love it - it's fun! But sometimes, the balance tips from reward to risk-made-manifest, and we find ourselves in a situation we'd hoped never to be in. Our community regularly suffers loss, injury, and the grief that accompanies these events. Knowing how to manage the trauma that can arise from these incidents is eventually essential to all adventurers. In this workshop with counselors from the Climbing Grief Fund, come learn how to be resilient in the face of tragedy, injury, and near-misses, as well as how to work with the fear and anxiety these past incidents can bring to our current climbing. We look forward to an interactive discussion and will cover a range of topics our participants have interest in like stress injury, psychological first aid, how to care for ourselves and others in the face of loss, grief, and injury.


Additional Information

Event Headquarters:
TBA


Camping:
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM on Friday, check-out by 2:00 PM on Sunday. 

  • We are only able to accommodate rigs under 25 feet. 

  • Please register either a Van or a tent at Registration 

Other Lodging:

We're partnering with Field Station, a new hotel made for outdoor enthusiasts and designed for everyday adventure, for a comfortable alternative to camping in Moab this year. Field Station features modern rooms, retail gear shop, coffee and espresso bar, pool and spa, van and car camping posts, and much more. Book your stay with them using our partner rates for the Craggin' Classic.

AAC Rooms: $149

Moab has many lodging options including hostels, hotels, motels, condos, guest houses, B&B's resorts etc. The best lodging planning info is available at discovermoab.com. 

Dogs:
If you bring your dog they MUST be leashed at all times, both at the campground and at the pavilion. Dogs are not allowed at clinics without prior permission from the instructor.

Volunteering

We would love your help to make this 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! 

You can sign-up to volunteer, here!

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the Moab Craggin' Classic, please contact [email protected].


NATIONALLY SUPPORTED BY

LOCALLY SUPPORTED BY