climbing clinics
2025 climbing clinics
A Fest Admission ticket is required to purchase Add-ons clinic.
You will be required to purchase a Fest Admission ticket in order to access and purchase add-on local artisan clinics/experiences or climbing clinics. All clinics are reservable on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, if spots are all booked, we will be offering a waitlist this year!
** Please note that if you're under 14, you'll need to be accompanied by an adult or parent.
friday, october 3
UNLOCKING YOUR INNER STRENGTHS
Friday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with GENEVIVE WALKER | There is more to bouldering than powering through moves. In this clinic, we will cover ways to connect with your other strengths and use different parts of your body to make moves feel less burly. You'll learn a variety of movement techniques, have time to practice different drills, implement everything we cover on different boulders, and go over a few exercises that will help you continue to build full body strength and prevent injury. We will also break down sequences on a micro level so you can get the most out of each move. If you're ready to unlock your full body’s potential then this clinic is for you! This clinic is open to all levels.
Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear.
BOULDERING Tips & TECHNIQUES
Friday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with LUKE SHERMAN & BRYSON KING | In this clinic, we will focus on beginner/intermediate movement skills and training drills. While strength and power are important for bouldering performance, practicing good technique can offset limited strength. In this clinic we will cover and rehearse drills to improve (1) lower body involvement (2) outdoor footwork (3) climbing efficiency and (4) dynamic movement. This clinic is ideal for beginners and intermediate climbers.
Sponsored by The Front Climbing Club.
-FREE CLINIC-
GYM TO CRAG: AN INTRO TO OUTDOOR BOULDERING
Friday | 10 AM - 1 PM
with BAILEY JOHNSON | This clinic is specifically designed to help climbers transition from indoor gym climbing to outdoor bouldering. We'll focus on how to read problems outdoors, which techniques to best utilize, and go over the skills needed to navigate the boulders safely and ethically. This clinic is perfect for boulderers with some indoor experience looking to explore the world of outdoor bouldering, but new climbers are also welcome!
Sponsored by The Front Climbing Club.
sATURDAY, october 4
MIND & BODY ENGAGEMENT
Saturday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with CALEB ROBINSON | This clinic is all about how we can engage our minds and bodies in ways that aren't always observable from the outside. We'll take a deep dive into what goes on internally that can make the difference between doing a move and not doing a move, sending or not sending. This clinic is for experienced climbers ranging from intermediate to advanced.
Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear.
Documenting your climbing journey
Friday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with MARIE LOUISE LUSAMBA NKASHAMA | Whether you want to get uncut footage of the send go, or share a bigger story of your time with friends at Joe's, the goal of this clinic is to share tools on how to self-document your climbing session. You don't need high level equipment to tell a story, just bring your phone, climbing gear, and a creative streak! Topics range from visual composition, how to get over feeling embarrassed filming yourself, the power of .5x, and how to manage filming while also sending your project. This clinic is open to all levels.
Sponsored by the North Face
advanced projecting tactics
Saturday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with TAYLOR MCNEILL | Build confidence, learn the best tips and tricks to improve your projecting skills, and send faster. This clinic will take an in depth look at the projecting process. You'll learn tactics on how to project more efficiently, when to rest, when to try moves in isolation, when to give send attempts, and more. You'll leave with all the tools to send your project faster. This clinic is ideal for intermediate to advanced climbers, ideally climbing v5+.
Sponsored by Arc’teryx Salt Lake City.
Does Bouldering Need to be this hard?
Saturday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with JESSE GRUPPER | Interested in learning some of the intricacies of upping your projecting skills? Join Olympian and professional climber, Jesse Grupper, in breaking down projecting using some of his favorite tips and tricks. With over 20 years in the game, Jesse knows what it’s like to plateau, feel like something is impossible and how to conquer self-doubt to up your climbing abilities. Whether you've been climbing for a while or just getting into the sport, this clinic is all about unlocking strategies to push past your perceived limits and level up. This clinic is ideal for beginners and intermediate climbers.
Sponsored by La Sportiva.
-FREE CLINIC-
GYM TO CRAG: AN INTRO TO OUTDOOR BOULDERING
Saturday | 10 AM - 1 PM
with ABBEY SMITH & OLIVIA HSU | Whether you are brand new to bouldering, want to transition from gym to crag, or just want to get better acquainted with outdoor climbing ethics, join Abbey Smith and Olivia Hsu for this free clinic. This will be an immersive clinic designed to start building or enhance your climbing skills and knowledge. Benefit from Abbey and Olivia's combined 50+ years of climbing experience and 20-year friendship, gaining invaluable insights that will empower you to navigate the backcountry with confidence and execute your personal climbing style on real rock. This clinic is ideal for beginners.
Sponsored by La Sportiva.
sick sends and [filming] shorts
Saturday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with BD Hex Athlete Team | Interested in climbing with a crusher crew? Join the Black Diamond x HEX Athlete Team (+ friends) in this clinic. You can plan to pull on some blocks while also learning about filming and editing tips and techniques for creating shorts for bouldering. You'll utilize these tools to help make (and potentially also be featured in) a BD Hex x JVF recap video! This clinic is open to all levels.
Sponsored by Black Diamond.
backcountry bouldering secrets
Saturday | 9 AM - 2 PM
with SERA GEARHART | Interested in exploring some new boulders? In this clinic, we'll introduce you to some hidden classics in the Forks. We'll start the morning off by building a circuit for our crew on the KAYA app and then spend the day exploring new areas and boulders that - chances are - you’ve never been to. This clinic is open to all levels.
Sponsored by KAYA Climbing.