RUMNEY CRAGGIN' CLASSIC
September 6-8, 2024
The American Alpine Club is teaming up with Tenaya to bring the Rumney Craggin’ Classic back to New Hampshire this September 6-8,2024!
This 3-day grassroots climbing festival brings climbers from all over New England to Rumney, one of the oldest premiere sport climbing destinations in the United States. Challenge yourself on the schist and get after some of the most iconic routes in New England.
Come spend time with your community, give back to our local crags, and learn new skills. We pride ourselves on the fact that the Craggin’s are a party with a heart, so these walls are also hosting climbing clinics taught by professional athletes and skilled certified climbing instructors and a chance to make the Earth a little better with a stewardship project hosted in partnership with The Rumney Climbers’ Association.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the epic celebration that it is today without our Vendor Village, local craft beer and food, gear giveaways and demos, games, raffles, and an epic bonfire by the river.
What makes these events truly exceptional is the community of friendly folks who show up to celebrate our shared love of vertical pursuits. Rain or shine, we’re going to have a great time.
Join us at the Rumney Craggin Classic!
Get the most up to date event info by following the Rumney Craggin’ on Facebook and Instagram @aacrumneycragginclassic and @cragginclassic!
2023 EVENT SCHEDULE
Check out last year’s schedule for a glimpse into the fun!
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11:00am - Check-in Begins at the Barn
No physical tickets needed! We’ll have you on our list. If you plan on drinking alcoholic beverages, please bring your ID to obtain a wristband.12:00pm-4:00pm - Friday Clinics
Meet at the barn for clinics!6:30pm - Welcome to the Craggin’!
Welcome and kickoff to the weekend.7:00pm - Climber’s Social
Drinks, yard games, partner sign-ups.7:55pm - RAFFLE TIME!
Prizes, prizes, prizes.8:00pm - Rock Out with King Fisher Band
Listen to some tunes and jam out.8:55pm - RAFFLE TIME!
Prizes, prizes, prizes.9:00pm - DJ Tunes Presented by Joshua Tree Skin Care
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7:30 - 9:30am - Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast, provided by Climbers for Christ and coffee provided by Rumney Climbers Association.8:00am - Yoga for Climbers with Kayla Cormier
Come do some sunrise yoga with Kayla Cormier to get ready for the day of climbing. This practice will help focus the breath, calm the mind, and cultivate flexibility and balance. This class appeals to all levels of students and modifications will be offered to help with limitations, challenges, and injuries. Come as you are and please bring your own mat.9:30am - Meet for Clinics
Get ready for the day and meet up with your athletes and guides.10:00am-4:00pm - Clinics and Climbing
Learn, grown, and have fun!5:00pm-7:00pm - Dinner
Great food from Cheese Louise and Food Hound.
Beer provided by Twin Barns Brewery.5:00pm - Games
Test your strength, balance, and mental acuity by competing in some fun games!5:00pm - Kids’ Yoga
Head over to the kids’ corner and watch your little ones do some stretching.5:55pm - RAFFLE TIME!
Prizes, prizes, prizes.6:00pm - Music
7:00pm - Slackline Competition
Walk the line and test your balance as the crowd cheers you on.7:55pm - RAFFLE TIME!
Prizes, prizes, prizes.8:00pm - Letting Go of the Grade
Enjoy this amazing film about four women climbers as they make their way up the Spires of El Potrero Chico with an introduction by Genevive Walker.9:00pm - Silent Auction Closes
Hurry up and get your bids in before the auction closes! Items are distributed on site at 9:15p.m.9:00pm - DJ Tunes Presented by Joshua Tree Skin Care
10:00pm - Bonfire
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8:30am - Yoga for Climbers with Kayla Cormier
Come do some sunrise yoga with Kayla Cormier to get ready for the day of climbing. This practice will help focus the breath, calm the mind and cultivate flexibility and balance. This class appeals to all levels of students and modifications will be offered to help with limitations, challenges and injuries. Come as you are and please bring your own mat.10:00am - Stewardship Project
Join the Rumney Climbers’ Association in re-securing all the trail signs around the crags. Your help and participation in this is very appreciated!
Clinic Offerings
Registration is required and spaces fill up quickly. Meet at The Barn 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.
2023 Friday Clinics
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In this clinic we will introduce different types of bolted sport climbing anchors and how to build a solid anchor off of them. We will go over building these anchors, when to utilize them, and how to clean them in a safe manner.
Participants should be able to top rope 5.7 outdoors or confidently top rope 5.8 indoors
Limited to 12 participants.
About Jordan Revis: Jordan is an avid outdoors person who grew up in a small town in Connecticut. He started very young with skiing, quickly moving into snowboarding, as that was the rad thing to do back in the day, and was introduced to rock climbing at his local YMCA day camp. Since then, those two sports have been his main passion.
Equipment Needed: Personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, belay device - plus 1 x 120cm Sling or 1 x Personal Anchor System (Petzl Connect Adjust/Metolius PAS, etc, NO Daisy Chain)
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Learn the best strategies for sending your long term or short term projects. This clinic will focus on both the mental and physical tactics one needs to be successful.
Equipment needed: personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device
2023 Saturday Clinics
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Are you crack-curious, but don’t know where to start? Feeling confident in the sport realm and ready for the transition to trad? Curious how to turn those ever-elusive jams into bomber holds? Join us for an introduction to jam-technique, cam-placements for crack climbers, and a sneak peak at where to practice crack climbing right here at Rumney!
Limited to 12 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device. If you have crack gloves or want to make them out of tape, that’s okay too!
About Matt Segal
Matt has collaborated with both scientists and photographers on National Geographic expeditions where his skills as a climber have proven to be valuable. Some say if Segal hadn’t become a professional rock climber, he could have made a solid go in the world of used car sales. His level of enthusiasm for climbing is unrivaled. -
Many people may know that flexibility and mobility are important for climbing, but few know how to utilize it most effectively on the wall. This clinic will highlight important tips and advice about flexibility and mobility and how to use it in your everyday climbing.
Limited to 12 participants.
About Kai Lightner
Kai has a passion for indoor competitive climbing and enjoys “pushing the limits” through outdoor sport climbing. In 2013, Kai reached new heights outdoors, climbing his first 5.14a route. Since that time, he has climbed numerous 5.14 graded routes, reaching a new milestone in April 2015 with his ascent of Era Vella (5.14d) in Margalef, Spain. He aims to continue tackling new outdoor challenges and competing in international climbing competitions.Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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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.
Limited to 12 participants.
About Abby
Since 2011, Abby has been the proud owner of Coral Cliffs Climbing Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is an AMGA certified climber and USA climbing coach who has taught various clinics at outdoor climbing festivals like Color the Crag and Flash Foxy. She sits on the Board of The Access Fund and has been asked to speak at events like Outdoor Retailer and the Outdoor Economy Conference. Abby has been featured in Essence magazine and interviewed by outdoor publications such as The Alpinist and Rock & Ice for the work that she does.Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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What is your perfect day out climbing? Come join Sterling Athlete Ben Rueck for a fun and interactive crag day that focuses on the basics of lead climbing! The goal is to get out and get pitches in as we explore different topics that climbers want to approach from basic technique to how to mentally deal with lead. This clinic is designed with a little bit of everything for beginners to experienced climbers!
Limited to 12 participants.
About Ben Rueck
Ben is a pro-climber based out of Grand Junction, Colorado. Growing up in the rural farming community in Western Colorado there was a strong connection for exploration and being outdoors. He began climbing at 17 after his brother introduced him to plastic holds and has been exploring the possibilities and limits of rock ever since.Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, belay device if you have one.
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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.
Limited to 12 participants.
About Genevive Walker
Genevive began climbing in the Shawangunk Mountains in 2012, sparking a love for steep routes with drippy tufas, roofs, and anything that requires kneebar trickery. After 7 years in the sport, she started her career as a Single Pitch Instructor certified by the American Mountain Guides Association. Being a part of the first all-female SPI cohorts in 2018 opened her eyes to the disparities and inequalities within the climbing industry and ignited her mission to build community and both offer and support representation for BIPOC climbers.Living full-time on the road for the last five-plus years has awarded her the opportunity to travel the world and experience different cultures while focusing on her strengths and skills as a climber and guide. When Genevivie isn't climbing, she loves to slackline, cook, and spend copious amounts of time with friends.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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This class will be geared to beginner to intermediate climbers. Belay skills, of course. Rope management. Learning to lead with gear or draws. Leading sport routes safely will be the main plan.
Limited to 10 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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Traditional climbing requires that the leader places removable gear and anchors. This gear is designed to protect the leader in the event of a fall. The gear is then removed or “cleaned” by the belayer as they follow the pitch. Proper techniques for placing cams and stoppers, protecting the follower, and building multi-directional anchors are all critical to becoming a proficient leader on traditional rock climbs. In this clinic, you'll learn just that, how to lead on trad with effective gear placements.
Limited to 10 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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$100
Learn skills and concepts for safely navigating situations in multipitch and alpine rock terrain. An emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving helps make the most of the simple tools you usually have on hand. Become more competent in multipitch rock and mountain terrain by carrying less equipment, but doing more with it, moving more efficiently, and having skills that can address unexpected challenges. The day will include anchor building practice, multipitch climbing, discussing “best practices” and ascending/descending ropes.
Limited to 6 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device, as well as a personal anchoring system (slings with locking carabiners, Petzl Connect, PAS).
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This clinic is for women and nonbinary folks by women and nonbinary instructors and focuses on climbing and belaying outdoors. In this clinic, you will learn to read a route, both on the rock and in a guidebook. It also includes going over footwork and technique, as well as a ground school on top rope and sport anchors.
Limited to 12 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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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.
Limited to 10 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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$95
Understanding footwork technique can take your climbing to the next level. Here at this clinic, we will learn the various footwork techniques required for various styles of rock climbing. Sign-up now and come learn something new for your "climbing toolbox". This clinic has a small guide to participant ratio for individualized attention.
Limited to 6 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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Just don’t fall off
Tips and tricks to help you get to the top without yelling “take”.
Participants must be confident/competent leading.
Limited to 12 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device.
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This clinic is for individuals with disabilities interested in outdoor climbing. Even if it’s your first time climbing outdoors, our specialized clinic is designed to empower and guide climbers of all skill levels and disabilities. Learn individualized techniques that cater to your strengths and find a supportive community where we all can share in our passion for climbing. This clinic will be held at a moderately accessible crag. Trail access will be relatively short (up to 5-10 minutes of hiking), but may be uneven or have small obstacles. Seated climbers or those with limited mobility will be assisted by volunteers and guides to safely reach the crag.
Limited to 6 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring any personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes. Equipment may be available for rent if needed.
2023 2-Day Clinics
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$150
This 2-day clinic presents the skills that can be combined for retreats and rescues on single-pitch and multi-pitch climbs. The skills will be taught and practiced so participants should expect to be hands on and engaged. each participant will receive a Hollowblock and Nano 22 carabiner.
Limited to 12 participants.
About Tyler Allen
Tyler grew up in Edinboro, PA and has been climbing for 18 years. He is an Eagle Scout and earned a degree in Geology in 2015. Tyler is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Alpine Guide, Certified Single Pitch Instructor, and a Wilderness First Responder. He enjoys teaching newer climbers techniques to improve their efficiency and maximize the fun factor. Tyler loves pushing limits on big climbing objectives and continues to develop his skills on rock, ice, and snow as he works toward becoming an American Mountain Guide. Tyler is proud to be a mountain athlete for CAMP and Rab Equipment.
Prerequisites: 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).
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$150
This is a two-day clinic with a small guide to participant ratio, giving more individualized attention to all. It will go over the skills you need to ensure everyone comes home each time you are out climbing. You can expect this to be hands-on, as you will be practicing systems.
Limited to 6 participants.
Equipment Needed: Please make sure to bring personal climbing gear - helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device. You will also need one 2-foot and one 4-foot sling, locking carabiners, and a cord for a prusik (or hollow block). If you have an autoblocking belay device, like a GriGri, please bring it.
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship Project, presented by Rumney Climbers’ Association and Silky Saws
Sunday,10am: Join the Rumney Climbers’ Association in re-securing all the trail signs around the crags. Your help and participation in this is very appreciated!
LOCAL PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: RUMNEY CLIMBERS ASSOCIATION
The RCA is a community of climbers with a common goal rooted in preserving our world-class climbing resources on Rattlesnake Mountain in Rumney, New Hampshire.
The RCA was formed when public access to Rumney Rocks was threatened in the early '90s. After raising funds from area climbers and the Access Fund, the RCA purchased the privately owned land. The RCA is continuing to work with the USFS, the Access Fund, and the AAC to find a common goal of preserving rock climbing in Rumney, NH. In addition to land acquisition that protects climbing access, our preservation initiatives include bolt and anchor replacement, fixed quickdraw replacement, and trail development/maintenance. Learn more and get involved!
LOCAL PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN CLIMBING SCHOOL
The International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS) is a guide service specializing in rock and ice climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and avalanche education in North Conway, New Hampshire and has been in operation since 1974. Our certified guides provide safe access to technical climbing in the White Mountains, including Cathedral Ledge, Whitehorse Ledge, Crawford Notch, Cannon, and Mt. Washington. We offer a progression of instruction from beginners to experienced climbers.
IMCS rents climbing gear, camping equipment, and outerwear/accessories. Located within International Mountain Equipment, we outfit our clients with proper gear for their outdoor experiences. We organize the Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest, the largest ice climbing event in the northeast.
EVENT LOCATION
AAC’s Rattlesnake Campground, 415 Buffalo Rd, Rumney, NH 03266
ACCESSIBILITY
We truly want everyone to feel comfortable and able to participate fully at our events, though there are certain accommodations that will be determined by the events' locations and other factors. The AAC’s Rattlesnake Campground is accessible for folks with wheelchairs. The barn has a ramp, though the barn loft is not accessible for those using wheelchairs. There are portapotties, including an ADA accessible one, at the rear of the campground, near the camping area. Not all clinics are accessible. Much of the climbing is up trails with steps and a rough approach.
Please email event coordinators directly if there are ways we can make this experience more positive for you and your unique needs or with any questions.
PARKING
All parking must be within designated perimeters, and cars must display parking tickets handed out at event check in.
VOLUNTEERING
Help make your Craggin’ Classic a success by volunteering! This event relies on the support of volunteers to help with things like check in, set up and tear down, selling raffle tickets, and more. We have special thank yous in store for all our amazing volunteers, and a FREE Weekend Pass for anyone who volunteers 2+ shifts! If interested, email [email protected]
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Event Coordinator Kristin Re at [email protected] or [email protected].