North Carolina Climbers Fest 2025

North Carolina Climbers Festival Presented by Fox Mountain Guides

Join us for the annual North Carolina Climbers Festival—a weekend dedicated to celebrating climbing, building community, and protecting the places we love. 

All proceeds directly support local stewardship efforts, helping to maintain and improve climbing access in NC.

When: December 12 - 14, 2025

Location: Jomeokee Campground and surrounding climbing areas 

What to Expect:

• Climbing at Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park and Sauratown Mountain

• Climbing educational clinics

• Vendor village featuring local businesses and gear

• Food and craft beer

• BYO baked goods and potluck - sign up here

• Evening gathering and celebration

• Fundraising raffle packed with great prizes

• Community climbing

Registration includes:

• 2025 NC Climbers Festival t-shirt (must sign up by 11/23 to be guaranteed a t-shirt) 

• Access to community climbing at at Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park and Sauratown Mountain

• *Access to climber education clinics (see info below on clinics)

• Access to raffle

• Camping Friday and Saturday night at Jomeokee Campground 

*Clinics* - use the links below to sign up for a clinic. When you register for a clinic on the clinic providers website, you are automatically registered for NC Climbers Fest. 

Fox Mountain Guides

Multipitch self-rescue clinic - Max of 6 people: https://go.theflybook.com/book/1430/EntityConfig/41316

Saturday December 13th

Learn the critical skills every multipitch climber should have in their toolkit. This hands-on clinic teaches climbers how to confidently handle unexpected situations on a multipitch climb — whether that means escaping the belay, assisting a partner, or managing problems efficiently and safely from above or below. We focus on practical, real-world scenarios and give you guided practice to build competence and confidence. 

What you’ll learn:

• Problem-solving strategies for common multipitch emergencies

• Problem prevention

• Load transfers, raising and lowering systems

• Escaping the belay and transferring to hands-free security

• Rope management for improvised solutions

• Effective communication and decision-making while on route

This clinic is ideal for climbers comfortable on multipitch routes who want to deepen their technical skill set and be a more capable partner. You’ll walk away with the knowledge to manage unforeseen challenges and keep small problems from becoming big ones.

Prerequisites:
Experience with multipitch climbing and basic technical systems (basic knots, belaying, and rappelling).

Moores Wall Classics (guided multipitch climbing) - Max of 4 people: https://go.theflybook.com/book/1430/EntityConfig/41317

Sunday December 14

Moores Wall Classics – Guided Climb

Experience the best traditional and multipitch routes at Moore’s Wall in Hanging Rock State Park. Climb iconic classics like Zoo View, Sentinel Buttress, and Air Show while learning efficient movement, rope management, and multipitch systems. Perfect for gym-to-crag climbers or anyone ready for an unforgettable day on some of North Carolina’s most scenic rock. This clinic is offered for attendees of Carolina Climbers' Coalition's yearly NC Climbers Fest.

Goals & Skills Covered

• Multipitch climbing systems and sequencing

• Crack and face climbing technique

• Efficient belaying, rappelling, and transitions

• Route selection and risk management

Who It’s For

• Intermediate climbers with basic belay skills

• Gym climbers looking to transition outside

• Anyone stoked to climb historic southern trad with a guide

What’s Included

• Private guiding and instruction from an AMGA certified Rock Guide

• Group technical gear (ropes, protection, anchors)

• Coaching tailored to your goals

Come climb the classics—and build the skills to climb them independently.
Adventure, education, and stunning views—Moore’s Wall is North Carolina climbing at its best!

Appalachian Climbing School

Intro to Outdoor Bouldering: https://appalachianclimbing.as.me/?appointmentType=83854890

Sunday, December 14th 9am-3pm

Intro to Outdoor Bouldering will cover how to navigate a bouldering area, use crash pads, spot safely, top out, and down climb. We’ll also practice movement techniques and go over best practices for being a respectful member of the outdoor climbing community. All crash pads are provided, and climbing shoes are available if needed.  

Open Air Guides:

Follower Self Rescue: https://exploreorigin.com/en/listings/879338-ccc-follower-self-rescue

Sunday, December 14. 

Learn how to get yourself out of trouble when you’re the follower and hauling isn’t an option!

This clinic covers the sequence to remove a quickdraw from a steep terrain and ascend the rope by: building a prusik and foot loop, weighting the system, and transitioning to ascending on a GriGri. Participants will practice standing on a prusik, managing steep terrain, and using a simple GriGri + foot loop sequence to climb the rope and escape a stuck position.

Issues registering for a clinic? Contact Alycia at aandrade@carolinaclimbers.org

Wanna volunteer? Volunteers get into the event at a discounted volunteer rate. Sign up for a volunteer role here. 

North Carolina Climbers Festival 2025 Schedule

Jomeokee Campground – Camping, vendor village, meals, festival center

Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Sauratown Mountain - Community climbing, stewardship, clinics
December 12 - 14, 2025

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Friday, December 12 – Arrival Day

4 PM – Campground opens for attendees. Set up in dispered camping area. 

No organized CCC activities Friday—relax, set up camp, and enjoy the evening!

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Saturday, December 13 – Stewardship, Climbing & Celebration

8:00–9:00 AM – Check-in & breakfast behind Jomeokee stage

9:30 AM– 4:30 PM – Stewardship and community climbing, clinics 

4:00–8:00 PM – Vendor Village open at Jomeokee Campground. Raffle, beer and swag for sale, visit vendor tables, get dinner.
5:30–6:30 PM – Dinner served
7:15 PM – Metamorphasis film by Andrew Kornylak 
8:00 PM – Evening slideshow with 30 Climbs Challenge participants

8:30 PM – Raffle called
9:00 PM – Festival center closes
9:30 PM – Quiet hours

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Sunday, December 14 – Clinics & Community Climbing

7:00–9:00 AM – Breakfast behind Jomeokee stage
8:00–9:00 AM (start times vary) – Climbing clinics with Fox Mountain Guides, Appalachian Climbing School, and Open Air Guides (check with your provider for specific location and time)

12:00 PM Pack up campsite
9:00 AM–3:00 PM – Community climbing at Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Sauratown Mountain

FAQs

Will you set up climbs for me?: No. If you need guiding or climbing instruction, please register for one of the all inclusive clinics. 

What is Community Climbing?: Due to the nature of the festival and our crags, people will be climbing in close proximity to each other. We hope you're able to share beta, tips, and even share a rope! CCC board and staff does not provide any services for this activity other than offering beta on climbs if desired. If you do not have the skills to set up and lead climbs safely on your own, we urge you to take one of the educational clinics offered. Community climbing participants will often share top-rope setups with other participants

Where is Community Climbing taking place?: Community climbing is happening at Pilot Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Sauratown Mountain. 

Rain?: In the event of a storm, we will cancel the event. We can not offer refunds, but your registration fee will be used to maintain and gain access to our many climbing areas. 

Kid-friendly?: Yes, we love kids

Dog-friendly?: Sort of. No barking dogs and dogs on leash at all times, please. Follow all State Park rules regarding pets. 

Will you be serving alcoholic beverages?: Yes, we will have beer by donation available during the vendor village portion of the event on Saturday night.