2014 Craggin’ Classics Kick-off in Salt Lake City

2014 Craggin’ Classics Kick-off in Salt Lake CityPosted on: September 17th, 2014 by The AAC

This year’s Salt Lake Craggin’ Classic presented by CAMP USA, held in Little Cottonwood Canyon, attracted over 225 climbers from across the region. Easily accessible due to its convenient location just 15 miles outside of Salt Lake City, but far enough away from the city to provide a getaway spot in the mountains, LCC was the perfect setting for this year’s event! With the help of our friends at the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, we brought together folks from Salt Lake City and beyond for a weekend of competency, community, and stewardship.

We kicked off Saturday and Sunday mornings with yoga from Lululemon, a burrito breakfast sponsored by Black Diamond and Rab, and go-juice by Silver Bean Coffee. Properly warmed-up, nourished, and caffeinated, we headed out for the day, greeted by the sun and temperatures in the seventies.

Over 100 climbers—nearly double the number of clinic participants at last year’s event—chose to spend the day participating in various clinics geared at furthering their climbing education and competency, brought to us by the fantastic instructors at Mountain Education and Development. Many clinics were fortunate to have professional athletes join them as guest instructors, paired with an MED instructor. Athletes included Scott Bennett, Sarah Watson, Jesse Mattner, and Nate Smith from CAMP USA; Kitty Calhoun from Patagonia; and Nancy Jackson, Kyle Dempster, and Jewell Lund from Outdoor Research.

Participants chose from ten clinics, ranging from Light and Fast Alpinism, with guest instructor and Camp USA athlete Jesse Mattner, to Sport Leading, with guest instructor and Patagonia athlete Kitty Calhoun. At each clinic, the MED instructors and guest athletes shared valuable tips and insights that inspired clinic participants to stay safe out there, all while having a great time!

Throughout the day, Clif Bar provided bars, chews, and gels to keep the energy level and psych high, while a shoe demo from Salewa kept participants’ feet happy and well-protected on the approach.

Saturday evening’s program kicked off with dinner provided by Himalayan Kitchen and beverages from Moab Brewery. Salt Lake locals Kim Hall and Jewell Lund—recipients of the Live Your Dream grant in 2012 and the McNeill-Nott Award in 2013—gave a killer presentation about their recent trips to the Bugaboos and Alaska. The evening continued with a dance party and music from Matty D.

The event raised over $2,220 for the Rocky Mountain Region’s Live Your Dream Grant and the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance! A big thanks to everyone who came out for the weekend. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again next year!

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