About The Fest
Our mission is to enhance the local economy, build community and drive sustainability by bringing rock climbers and locals together around our shared enthusiasm for the outdoors.
It all started on a rest day...
Back in Spring 2013, a handful of dirtbag climbers emerged from the canyons to volunteer for a town cleanup. With unkempt hair and clothing in disrepair, the local residents weren’t sure what to make of them.
It turned out that the sister towns at the mouth of Joe’s Valley, Orangeville and Castle Dale, were wholly unaware that some of the best bouldering in America sits just a few miles outside city limits.
At the time, Amanda Leonard was a volunteer with Emery County’s nascent tourism department, and though she knew little about climbing (and had never met a climber), she reached out to one of the volunteering dirtbags with the idea of starting up a bouldering festival in Joe’s Valley.
Since then, “the Fest” has quickly become one of the top rock climbing events in America. The organizers of the Fest believe that as the popularity of climbing continues to grow, it is vital to craft a culture that focuses on positive relationships with the land we recreate on, the towns that host our visits, and the people that welcome us.
Join us in Emery County every Fall as the temperatures start to cool down! And, don’t forget to follow us on social media to get the beta on what's happening in Joe's!
