Coming Very Soon to a Screen Near You—the 2020 Craggin' Classic Digital Series
banner image courtesy of the AAC Craggin’ Classic
October 13, 2020
Yes, September came and went this year, without the signature mega climbing event from the national American Alpine Club (AAC)—the Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic. But don’t despair, the AAC and CAMP USA have a special, week-long digital event series from October 19-25, 2020 with interactive clinics taught by pro climbing athletes, in-depth panel discussions and workshops, films, slideshows, and of course, games and prizes. And what’s amazing is that most of this year’s event is free, with the clinics ($8 for members, $12 for non) and swag as the only things that require payment. You need to register in advance though.
New to the Craggin’ Classic? Normally they are 3-day climbing festivals that happen all over the country and are a celebration of all things climbing: community, learning, and giving back to the crag. Through the annual celebration, the AAC hopes to create welcoming events for brand new climbers, veteran climbers, and everyone hoping to partake in the great sport of climbing! This year they decided to pivot to a fully virtual event after careful consideration and monitoring of the global health crisis.
“To gather the climbing community at world-class cragging destinations across the country to celebrate our fellowship, enhance our skills and education, and take ownership in preserving and caring for our climbing landscapes. ”
KEY NOTE SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS:
With over 100 hours of content with some of the biggest names in climbing, we’ve only touched on a few selects here. One is “How We Can Inspire an Environmental Movement,” a presentation by Tommy Caldwell, widely recognized for his cutting edge and record-breaking ascents on Yosemite’s granite walls, as captured in the 2018 award-winning film, The Dawn Wall. Skipping to another part of the world, “Everest Exposed,” a film by alpinist and director Renan Ozturk, covers a journey of unexpected challenges and insights not only into the mountain’s past, but also to its future, as the climbers and filmakers set out in the spring of 2019 in search of the lost camera of Sandy Irvine, the partner of George Mallory to settle the mystery of who really was the first to summit Mount Everest. Another highlight is the Women’s First Ascent Panel, a lively discussion of women’s climbing, role models, and the historical record of this complex topic. And, what we all need in 2020, some inspiration—when Quinnn Brett took a 120-foot fall off the Boot Flake on El Cap, she sustained life-changing injuries. Find out how she still gets after it and lives life to the fullest.
Peace flags and Everest, photo courtesy of AAC Craggin’ Classic
Tommy Caldwell, photo courtesy of AAC Craggin’ Classic
For those of you new to Smith Rock State Park, usually the “Godfather of Smith,” Alan Watts, takes Craggin’ visitors on a foot tour of some of the climbing areas at Smith, which he then peppers with stories from the ‘80s, when he upended tradition and started bolting routes in the park. When Alan was unavailable this year, the AAC asked SmithRock.com to step in with a virtual introduction to the park, along with a live Q&A session. We happily answered the call to host one of the Craggin’s Workshops.
WORKSHOP: GET TO KNOW SMITH ROCK
WHEN: NOON to 12:30 PM PST
WHAT: 15 Minute ViDEO and 15 Minute Q&A
Mike and Marcia Volk of SmithRock.com
Mike and Marcia Volk live and breathe Smith Rock, literally. Operating SmithRock.com as a husband and wife team since the year 2000, they are steeped even more in some of the earliest days of this unique climbing destination.
An Oregon native, Mike's first climbing trip to Smith Rock was in the fall of 1971. In his late 20s, he guided for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. In March of 1983, he bought their 10-acre property across the street from Smith Rock State Park and founded Timberline Mountain Guides and Smith Rock Climbing School. Mike sold the guide service in 1992 to pursue his interest in video production, and now is expanding the video content of Smith Rock TV, with offerings such as the recent video with Alan Watts and Adam Ondra, Alan's '80s Project on The Awl: A Model for Smith's Future.
Marcia starting coming to the park in 1996, first to climb with Mike. You’ll now see her interacting on a daily basis with park staff and visitors alike in her role as chief news-gatherer and story-teller on SmithRock.com, drawing on her producing experience from commercial Hollywood to managing interactive media and web development for ad agencies.