Join us for a fun day in May celebrating North Carolina’s Northern Piedmont crags. 

This year we’re keeping NC Climbers Fest to a one-day format. All clinics*, guided experiences, community climbing, and stewardship will happen during the day on Saturday, May 23, followed by an afterparty at Jomeokee Campground with vendors, food trucks, beer, and films. 

What’s Included

- NC Climbers Festival t-shirt (must register by May 1st)

- Access to clinics, guided experiences**

- Access to community climbing and stewardship

- Access to Moore's Hanging Gardens tour

- Access to festival party with vendor village, raffle, and films

- 1 free drink ticket. Beer from Fiddlin' Fish Brewwery will be served and can be purchased by suggested donation.

- Dinner will be available from Send it Sammies food truck***

We’ve got some great clinics and guided experiences lined up with our partners. Choose the one you’re interested in and sign up using the link below — registering for a clinic or guided experience automatically signs you up for NC Climbers Fest.

Participating in a clinic or guided experience is not required for attendance. Come out and enjoy community climbing or stewardship projects, then stay for the afterparty at Jomeokee. See full details below.

*one clinic will be happening on May 24th. See schedule below for more details.

**must register for clinic or guided experience by following the links below.

**dinner not included in registration.

Climbing Activity Information

Clinics and Guided Experiences

May 23rd and 24th

Fox Mountain Guides

Rock Climbing Anchors Clinic - Saturday, May 23rd 9am: Moore's Wall 

Register here: https://go.theflybook.com/book/1430/EntityConfig/41316

This clinic is ideal for climbers who are beginning to build their own anchors or want to strengthen their understanding of anchor systems. You’ll leave with the skills and confidence to construct solid anchors for top-roping or multipitch climbing. 

Moore's Wall Classics - Saturday, May 23rd 9am: Moore's Wall 

Register here: https://go.theflybook.com/book/1430/EntityConfig/41317

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. 

Appalachian Climbing School

Climbing Guide Skills for the Recreational climber - Sunday, May 24th 8am: Piedmont Location TBD Moore's Wall or Pilot Mountain 

Register here: https://appalachianclimbing.as.me/?appointmentType=89869034

Climbing Guide Skills for the recreational climber: Join Wes Calkins, AMGA SPI Provider, for a day of guide level skills that will make any day safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. We will take a look at often overlooked skills like belaying from above, lowering, anchoring and rappelling. This clinic is for anyone who wants to see the skills guides use day to day without signing up for a 3 day course. 

SOLD OUT

Womens Anchor Building - Saturday, May 23rd 9am: Pilot Mountain 

Register here: https://appalachianclimbing.as.me/?appointmentType=84039897 

This clinic will teach you how to set up your own top-rope climbs outdoors! Some outdoor climbing experience is helpful, but not required. Prerequisites include basic indoor climbing experience and knowing how to top-rope belay. We’ll cover anchor-building principles and practice building anchors off bolts using a tether, as well as cleaning a sport climbing anchor. We honor femininity in all its forms and welcome trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer climbers who feel aligned with this space.

Community Climbing

May 23rd 8AM - 3PM

Community Climbing at Pilot Mountain State Park or Hanging Rock State Park: Choose your adventure for the day at your favorite Northern Piedmont crag and connect with others attending NC Climbers Fest. This is not a guided climbing experience, and the CCC does not organize climbing activities for community climbing. If you plan to climb, you must bring your own gear and climb at your own risk. 

Stewardship Project 

May 23rd 9AM - 1PM

Stewardship Project at Pilot Mountain State Park: Meet at the upper parking area at 9 AM. Tasks may include approach trail hardening, rock crushing, bench cutting, erosion control, and other trail work. All PPE will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite gloves or work glasses if you have them.

Festival Information

Saturday May 23rd 3 - 9:30PM

• Afterparty Festival at Jomeokee Campground: Wrap up the day with vendors, table activations, water games, stewardship games, beer from Fiddlin' Fish, food fro Send it Samies food truck, films, and a raffle with some epic prizes. 

Camping Information

May 22nd + May 23rd: 2 Nights at Jomeokee Dispersed Camping Area

Camping is available for anyone who registers for the NC Fest + Camping bundle. This bundle allows you to camp in the dispersed camping area at Jomeokee Campground Friday and Saturday night. 

Volunteers get discounted entry! Sign up for volunteer jobs here. After you sign up for a volunteer job, the CCC will contact you with a discount code for NC Fest! 

Draft Event Schedule

May 23rd

8AM - climbing activities (clinics, guided experiences, community climbing) at surrounding climbing areas

9AM - stewardship project at Pilot Mountain State Park

3PM - vendor village opens and afterparty begins at Jomeokee campground. Fiddlin' Fish Brewery beer sales, raffle sales continue til end of evening.

4 - 6PM - check in at CCC table (get t-shirt, drink ticket, vendor games bingo card)

4 - 6 PM water games, stewardship games at Jomeokee

5 - 8PM - Send it Sammies Food Truck selling dinner at Jomeokee

7:30PM - films start

8:30PM - raffle called, films continue afterward

9:30PM - quiet hours

May 24th

8am - Climbing Guide Skills clinic with Appalachian Climbing School

FAQ

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?: Time for festival attendees to connect with each other and do what we all love - 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 and Hanging Rock State Park.

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.

Is dinner provided?: Dinner is not included in registration costs. Send it Sammies food truck will be at the Jomeokee vendor village party from 5 - 8 PM on Saturday evening and dinner can be purchased from them. 

How do I sign up for a clinic or guided experience?: Use the links above to sign up for the clinic or guided experience you are interested in with the guide company providing the clinic. Registering for a clinic automatically registers you for NC Climbers Festival as well.

Is camping provided?: Yes, if you pick the "registration + camping" option then you can camp in the dispersed camping area at Jomeokee Campground on Friday May 22nd and Saturday May 23rd. 

Are there festival activities on Friday May 22nd and Sunday May 24th?: No festival activities on Friday May 22nd, but if you are camping you can set up camp after 4PM at Jomeokee Campground dispersed camping area. On Sunday May 24th, Appalachian Climbing School will have a clinic. There are no other NC Climbers Festival activities Friday or Sunday.