NRG CRAGGIN’ CLASSIC

September 13-15, 2024



Rally to the New River Gorge and join the American Alpine Club and Tenaya for the biggest and baddest climbing celebration and throw-down in the Southeast!

This 3-day grassroots climbing festival celebrates all things climbing: community, education, and stewardship. 

The weekend features climbing clinics taught by professional athletes and certified climbing instructors, workshops, a Climb United x Queer Climbing Ohio Meet-up, and a stewardship project hosted in partnership with The New River Alliance of Climbers. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be the epic celebration that it is today without our Vendor Village, local craft beer, gear demos, games, raffles, and a dance party in the woods that you’ll be talking about for years to come! 


2023 Event Schedule

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

  • 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Check In
    Check-in at the AAC New River Gorge Campground. Registration will be at the campground entrance at 97 Pudds Road, Lansing, WV 25862.

    9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: [Not] Work Day
    Join The New River Alliance of Climbers for a day out of the office and out on the trails for our weekend stewardship project! Location-TBD! Volunteers participating in the stewardship project will be entered into an exclusive raffle to win some sweet gear!

    12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Friday 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.

    3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m: Check In
    Check-in at the AAC New River Gorge Campground. Registration will be at the campground entrance at 97 Pudds Road, Lansing, WV 25862. All participants must check in!

    4:00 p.m.: OPEN Ping Pong Play

    Rally with your friends and dust off those ping pong skills! We will have multiple tables open for play to prepare for the tournament later in the evening. Please meet under the pavilion.

    4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Yoga w/ Jenna Kollat
    Meet us in the vendor village, and we’ll head into the forest for a peaceful afternoon yoga practice. Please bring your own mat.

    5:00 p.m.: Kegs Tapped

    6:00 p.m.: Ping Pong Tournament
    Single elimination tournament, so bring your A-game! Please meet under the pavilion. Limited to 30 participants.

    6:00 p.m.: Taco Bar by Arrowhead Bike Farm and Dessert-a-Palooza: Delicious tacos from Arrowhead bike farm will be served! Also, bring your favorite dessert with an ingredients card to be entered into the Friday night raffle!

    7:00 p.m.: Crash Pad Wrestling

    Don your finest crash pad and engage in a last player standing wrestling match! Please bring your own crash pad as there will be limited available. Prizes awarded to the winner!

    8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m: LIVE MUSIC by Firefly Fusion with Dallas Craft

    Feel the rhythm and move to the beat with Firefly Fusion and Dallas Craft! Enjoy these captivating performances and a lively atmosphere that'll make you move and groove all night long!

    10:00 p.m.: FILM SCREENINGS:

    DSCVRY presented by Mountain Hardware

    MHW climber Caleb Robinson and filmmaker Trevor Riley were drawn to one another’s passion for seeing and documenting Black climbers. Together, they went to Red Rock with big ambitions and came home with something else. Their film, DSCVRY, is about the things you don’t find at the top of any boulder. Learn more about Caleb by clicking here.

    FEVER by Sean Morgan

    A New River Gorge bouldering video. Filmed between October 30th 2022 and April 8th 2023. Featuring Scotty Grayson, Zack Smith, Aaron Schneider, Emma Walker, and others. Watch these crushers slap around on some of the best sandstone this world has to offer!

  • 7:30-8:30 a.m.: Crash Pad Meditation w/Rachel Dobos

    Meet in the vendor village with your crash pad and head out into the nearby woods for some peaceful meditation to start your day!

    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Yoga w/ Holly McLaughlin
    Meet us in the vendor village, and we’ll head into the forest for a peaceful morning yoga practice. Please bring your own mat.

    8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Check In
    Check-in at the AAC New River Gorge Campground. Registration will be at the campground entrance at 97 Pudds Road, Lansing, WV 25862. All participants must check in!

    8:00 a.m.: Grab-n-Go Breakfast
    Grab a quick breakfast provided by Climbers for Christ to help you to get to the crag! This meal, and all meals provided, are part of a no-waste initiative.
    *Please bring your own cup, plate, and utensils.

    10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Clinics!
    Looking to develop your skills?! Sign up for a climbing clinic taught by professional athletes, seasoned locals, and skilled AMGA Single Pitch Instructors (at a minimum).

    We’ll meet in the vendor village, near the pavilion. Please arrive 20 minutes early, ready to go!

    10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Outdoor Bouldering Comp!
    The sport climbing in the NRG is excellent, but the bouldering is genuinely one of a kind! So sign up for our outdoor bouldering competition and get out there and rack up those v-points! It’s $25 to enter, and you can sign up at the hospitality tent the night before or the morning of. Prizes will be awarded for each category!

    10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Climb United x Queer Climbing Ohio Meet-Up

    Grab your climbing shoes and meet some of your fellow climbers during the first ever New River Gorge Climb United x Queer Climbing Ohio Meet-up! This meet-up is for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Plus Size climbers, and allies. 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! Registration is required and space is limited to 10 participants.

    12:30 pm- 2:00 pm: Pole Dancing for Climbers

    Do you climb? Are you looking for a cross training sport that’s as fun as climbing? Come try out pole dancing. In this clinic you’ll learn some pole basics with an emphasis on strength-based moves that climbers tend to excel at.

    Important Info: Sticking to the pole is hard! Wear shorts (the shorter the better) and don’t put on lotion beforehand.

    Max Participants: 6, First come, First Serve

    All levels welcome

    All people welcome

    2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Acro Yoga for Climbers in Pavilion

    Experience the perfect balance of strength, flexibility, and trust practicing Acro Yoga. Join us amidst the exhilarating backdrop of the Craggin’ Classic as we guide you through dynamic partner poses and therapeutic stretches. Whether you're a seasoned climber seeking to enhance your core strength and balance or a newcomer curious about the world of acro, the clinic will accommodate all skill levels. Don't miss this opportunity to soar to new heights. Come solo or bring a friend and discover the joy of balance in body and mind.

    Important Info: bring a yoga mat if you have one. This activity involves touch and close contact with your partner.

    Max Participants: 20, First Come, First Serve

    All levels welcome

    All people welcome

    4:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Aerial Silks for Climbers

    In this clinic, Stella and Reed will discuss the ways they have brought their climbing and aerial practices together into what they call 'adventure aerials' and will lead folks through some of the basic skills, tricks, and techniques of aerial silks. The clinic is focused on exposing folks to this form of movement, creating a safe space for people to try something new (and hard!), and building a foundation for continued aerial practices. We will begin with a short introduction to this form of movement and its outdoor, adventure, potential. This will be followed by a skill building session where participants will have the opportunity to try out silks. The clinic will end with a 10-15 minute question and answer session for those who want more information about starting their own aerial practice, its crossover with climbing, adventure aerials, or other!

    Important info: Full coverage (legs and waist) clothing helps prevent silk burns and pinches. Participants are encouraged to wear leggings or pants and a tight(er) fitting shirt, but this is not a requirement for participation

    Max Participants: 10, First come First Serve

    All levels welcome

    All people welcome

    4:00 p.m.: Celebration Party and Throw-Down!
    Join us in the NRG Campground for the Southeast's biggest and baddest climber throw-down! The evening will feature games, free gear handouts, raffles, a vendor village, and our silent auctions featuring amazing top-end gear deals! Also, free local beer (21+); please bring your own cup!

    5:00 p.m.: Kegs Tapped

    5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m: Mystery Madness Extravaganza
    Come prepared for whatever! Endless pull-ups, human pyramids, one-arm beer chug, who knows?! Participation is free, but you must win to get a prize.

    5:00 pm Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Climbing Shoes with Weigh My Rack at Pavilion

    This talk dives into every detail about the one thing that just about every climber uses: Shoes! From materials, design and construction process, style, shape, sizing, fit, performance and more, this discussion takes apart the most complex topic in climbing into bite sized pieces and dives into the importance of each one in your climbing. Suitable for all levels and abilities, you'll learn new ways to look at your footwork and gain skills to help choose, fit, and take care of your climbing shoes from the nerdiest gear experts on the internet, WeighMyRack!

    5:00 pm Tincup Happy Hour at Tincup Booth

    Happy hour at the Tincup booth in the vendor village!

    6:00 p.m.: Dinner
    Come hungry and ready to dig in! This meal, and all meals provided, are part of a no-waste initiative. *Please bring your own cup, plate, and utensils.

    6:30 pm: Paint & Sip with Wild & Wonderful Paint Parties

    Come paint & sip the night away with local artist Kelly LaCava with Wild & Wonderful Paint Parties! Unleash your inner creative by putting brush to canvas over a groovy playlist. You’ll get step-by-step instruction, a 16x20 inch canvas, and all the materials you need to create your very own masterpiece- choose between the NRG bridge or a rock climbing scene. This event is family friendly, lasts 2 hours and is limited to the first 20 participants.

    8:00 p.m: Last Call for the Silent Auction
    Score great gear deals while supporting the AAC's work and Live Your Dream Grant! Head to the silent auction tent for that last-minute bid or to collect your winnings!

    8:30 p.m.: Dyno Comp!
    We hope you've been practicing your dynos because the dyno comp is back!

    Show everyone how well you can jump, and you might walk away a winner with one of our few great prizes!

    Spots are limited, and only the first 10 people who enter into each of our two categories will be able to participate. It's $25 to enter; sign up at the hospitality tent.

    10:00 p.m.: Tuggin’ Shack Dance Party
    Head back into the woods for a dance party we can guarantee you’ll never forget!

  • 8:00 a.m.: Coffee and Breakfast
    Breakfast is sponsored and provided by Climbers for Christ. This meal, and all meals provided, are part of a no-waste initiative. Please bring your own cup, place, and utensils.

    10:00 a.m.: Campground Clean Up
    Please join the AAC NRG Campground team and us for a quick clean-up of the campground so we can all boogie out to the crag and climb!


2023 Clinic Offerings

2-Day Clinics

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

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

    Limited to 8 participants

    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).

    About Tyler Allen: Tyler has spent his summers climbing and guiding on the perfect stone of the New River Gorge, West Virginia. Finding new lines and climbing old ones, he fell in love with the climbing and the community of quiet crushers in the “coolest small town” of Fayetteville, WV. Tyler is hungry to continue climbing to larger and larger mountains around the world. He continues to develop his skills on rock, ice and snow and is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Alpine Guide, Certified Single Pitch Instructor, and a Wilderness First Responder.

    Cost: $150 for 2-day clinic

Friday Half Day Clinics

  • 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 systems? In this clinic, Marcus will talk and explain basic anchor systems, 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 will walk away with new knowledge of anchors whether new or more experienced climbers.

    Students will learn:
    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

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness. Rope and at least 10 quickdraws.

    Participants must be familiar with outdoor climbing and be comfortable climbing 5.7 or harder outdoors

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Marcus Garcia:
    “Marcus Garcia might be the best climber you’ve never heard of.” — Rock and Ice Magazine, issue 238. Marcus, 42 years old from Durango, Colorado, is an all-around climber, and has established over 200+ new routes, including everything from traditional, alpine, sport, and mixed climbing to big walls and desert towers. However, his biggest accomplishment and legacy is not how hard he can push himself, but what he passes on to the next generation of climbers as a coach and mentor.

    Cost: $55

  • In this workshop Marissa will be teaching the basics of slacklining on a 1 inch line. Skills such as setting up a "primitive" line, spotting and assisting, focal point importance, and learning different styles of slacklining. She will have two 1 inch slacklines available.

    Equipment needed: Slackline (optional), crash pad (optional)

    No Prior Experience Necessary

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Marissa: Marissa is a New River Gorge local with a passion for slacklining and rock climbing. Studying Adventure Recreation at the nearby WVU Tech, she is eager to share her knowledge of the outdoors with others.

  • Are you interested in learning the key steps of climbing photography? This course covers everything from the basics of gear set up, how to approach a day out shooting, details for camera settings and pointers for framing climbing shots on the ground or rope.

    Join Pro climber, videographer and photographer Colette McInerney for an insider’s look at her approach to shooting images over the last 15 years.

    Equipment needed: Personal climbing gear. Participants should have a personal camera to join

    No Prior Experience Necessary

    About Colette: Recently transplanted to the New River Gorge region, Colette is an incredibly accomplished photographer/videographer who has captured images of Emily Harrington, Michaela Kiersch, and Jonathan Siegrist. She has shot and produced a number of adventure film pieces with companies like Nat Geo and Reel Rock.She also started an all-female production team called Never Not Collective, who produced the film Pretty Strong.

    Limited to 8 participants

  • Want to become a stick clip pro? Learn some handy climbing knots? Or even just have questions about climbing? This is the clinic for YOU! Our instructor will share all the inside info to make your time climbing more enjoyable.

    Equipment needed: Personal climbing gear. Gri Gri, harness.

    No prior experience necessary

    Limited to 8 participants

Saturday Full Day Clinics

  • Want to take your climbing to the next level with lead climbing? Whether you are just learning to lead or wanting to gain more skills as a new lead climber, this clinic is for you. The fundamental of climbing efficiently is the key to staying calm and delaying the pump.

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness. Rope and at least 10 quickdraws.

    Participants must be comfortable top roping 5.9 or harder outdoors.

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Marcus Garcia: “Marcus Garcia might be the best climber you’ve never heard of.” — Rock and Ice Magazine, issue 238. Marcus, 42 years old from Durango, Colorado, is an all-around climber, and has established over 200+ new routes, including everything from traditional, alpine, sport, and mixed climbing to big walls and desert towers. However, his biggest accomplishment and legacy is not how hard he can push himself, but what he passes on to the next generation of climbers as a coach and mentor.

    Cost: $85

  • Learn the basics for getting started in trad climbing! Heidi is an accomplished climber who will show you the best methods for placing gear, identifying good rock, and climbing efficiently. No better place to learn than on the bullet hard Nuttall Sandstone of the New River Gorge!

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness.

    Participants must have experience with outdoor climbing and be comfortable climbing 5.8 or harder outdoors.

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Heidi Writz: Heidi Wirtz , aka Heidi Almighty, is one of the country's few premier female adventure climbers. She has been climbing for over twenty years letting her passion for adventure and exploration lead her to places such as Nepal, Morocco, Jordan, Siberia, Tasmania, Czech Republic, Easter Europe, Pakistan, South America and Canada (just to name a few) where she has pioneered new routes up unclimbed big walls and mountains and pushed the limits of female exploration.

    Cost: $85

  • Acquiring the knowledge to safely build and clean anchors is a fundamental skill to climbing outdoors. In this course you will learn how to build a few different bolted top rope anchors and safely break them down. We will also cover a few knots that are heavily utilized in outdoor climbing. We will be using homemade anchor boards to demonstrate and practice systems on the ground before transitioning on to the wall. Traditional gear anchors will not be covered. The big takeaway from this course is to gain more competence in these technical skills so you can safely enjoy a day at the crag with more confidence.

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness.

    Participants should be able to top rope 5.7 outdoors or confidently top rope 5.8 indoors

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Genevive Walker: Genevive is an all-around rock climber and certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, known for giving her all on every single climb. Utterly devoted to climbing, you could see Genevive clipping bolts, plugging gear or tussling above crashpads on any given day—but let her throw some heel hooks and knee-bars on a tufa-forested endurance roof, and she’s really in her element.

    Cost: $85

  • The voice of why you can't climb something because you are short can be heard loudly in your mind. This clinic is to help you take control and tell that mindset to get outta town! Climb with other shorties and share beta, learn some short secrets, create confidence, inspiration, adjust movement, and overall have fun (and probably jumpy).

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness. Rope and at least 10 quickdraws.

    Participants should be able to confidently climb 5.9 or harder indoors to gain maximum benefit from this clinic

    Limited to 8 participants

    About Rj Griffis: Rj started climbing in her university’s gym in her mid 20s in Richmond VA. She got her first taste of outdoor climbing at the Obed in Tennessee and was hooked ever since. Since then, she has moved into her SUV full time and travels with the seasons for climbing. When she’s not climbing, you can often find her making art or learning about reptiles.

    Cost: $85

  • Sign up for this clinic if you have spent time in the gym but are looking to learn the fundamentals of taking that knowledge to the outdoors. The skills covered in this clinic will be an introduction into top rope anchors, building anchors, knots and hitches, belaying, lowering and rappelling.

    Each participant will receive a “Proven Plan” from Power Climbing Company.

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness.

    Participants should be able to top rope 5.7 outdoors or confidently top rope 5.8 indoors

    Limited to 8 participants

  • Slap around on some of the finest sandstone the world has to offer! Learn how to maximize your strength and efficiency through bouldering. This bouldering clinic will show you how to best approach outdoor bouldering, place crash pads, and fall outdoors.

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, crash pad (optional)

    Participants should have basic indoor bouldering experience

    Limited to 8 participants

  • Want to climb taller rocks? In this ground school clinic, learn skills and concepts for safely navigating situations in multipitch and alpine rock terrain. Learn how to manage rope, set up anchors, and move quickly. An emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving helps make the most of the simple tools you usually have on hand.

    Equipment: Personal climbing gear, Grigri, harness.

    Participants should have experience with outdoor single pitch climbing

    Limited to 10 participants

  • Lead climbing can be scary, especially because there is an inherent risk of falling. However, we don’t need to let our fear of falling impact our climbing. This clinic will give important tips on how not to let this fear get in the way of sending our project or enjoying our day out at the crag.

    Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear, GriGri, harness.

    Participants should have experience with outdoor climbing

    Limited to 8 participants

  • This clinic will cover the fundamentals of dynamic movement through bouldering, review the skills it requires, and put them into practice. The primary skills that will be focused on are hip movement, shoulder engagement, timing, and learning to commit. We will also review a few ways to train power and build greater confidence in your use of momentum.

    Equipment: Crash pads, climbing shoes, & chalk

    Participants should be comfortable taking falls outside.

    Limited to 8 participants

Registration is required and spaces fill up quickly. Meet at the Vendor Village at your designated meeting time. Be on time! Please bring comfy shoes for walking, plenty of water, snacks and/or lunch, sunscreen, extra layer, your personal climbing gear, helmet, climbing rope and gear if you have it, any additional equipment listed below for your specific clinic, and a thirst for knowledge.


Volunteering

Help make your Craggin’ Classic a success by volunteering!

We rely heavily on the support of volunteers to help us with the execution of this event, whether it be helping with check-in, set up and tear down, or selling raffle tickets! Learn more and sign-up to volunteer here.


Calling all DJs and musicians! 

Do you want to share your music with the community?! We're looking for musicians and DJs to support the NRG Craggin' Classic by volunteering their musical skills.
If you are interested, email us at [email protected].


Additional Information

Parking
Parking is limited at the event location, and we encourage everyone to carpool! Only registered participants with a camping pass will be allowed to park on-site. Please be sure to park on gravel surfaces only to prevent erosion and damage to the forest floor!

Dogs
Dogs are allowed but highly discouraged. Dogs MUST BE LEASHED and ATTENDED TO AT ALL TIMES. Those who violate this policy may be asked to leave the event. 

Lodging
Camping at the AAC’s NRG Campground is extremely limited! Only those who have purchased a camping pass for the event can camp on-site. However, there are many other camping and lodging accommodations in the area. Check out this list for our recommendations. 

Accessibility 
We genuinely want everyone to feel comfortable and participate fully in our event. However, specific accommodations will be determined by the events' venue, location, and other factors. Have questions about the accessibility of the venue, clinics, or event? Please reach out to the event coordinators directly at [email protected].

To learn more about the accessibility of the New River Gorge National Park, click here


Questions?

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


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SUPPORTED LOCALLY BY