CAMDEN CLIMBING

FESTIVAL

The Camden Climbing Festival (CCF 2025) returns to celebrate the climbing lifestyle on the coast of Maine. Last year our second annual event attracted 50 eager climbers, speakers and local businesses to Camden Hills State Park, in Maine. We provided trail maintenance with the State Park’s Trails Supervisor, we climbed on and provided high value clinics on five cliffs within the Park, we shared high quality local food, shared tall tales, and we watched inspiring speakers share their stories about climbing in Maine and beyond. Participant feedback— “We can’t wait to come back”!

2025 CAMDEN CLIMBING FESTIVAL

The Camden Climbing Festival is for all. Anyone who wishes to experience climbing and the Camden climbing community for the first time is very welcome. Anyone who climbs indoors or outdoors and looking for enhanced instruction is welcome. Anyone who simply wants to kick off the 2025 rock climbing season with a wicked good Maine time is welcome. So tell your climbing partners, tell someone who has never climbed and ready to learn, and tell anyone who loves to be outside that the Camden Climbing Festival is back! Let’s bring 100 lovely humans to the festival May 16-18th, 2025.

All CCF festivities, camping, climbing and clinics will be located in the Camden Hills State Park. Take a moment to read all of the information provided below, then join dozens of like-minded and like-hearted individuals, seasoned climbers and novices, for a celebration of humans helping other humans thrive in nature! Think of this weekend festival as a retreat. Once you arrive we got you covered: great food, water, camping, community, climbing, multi-media, games, prizes, this list goes on.

To participate, CCF asks for a sliding scale donation of $300-$500 for this full weekend experience. Your donation has high value and covers many festival costs seen below. Any amount is very much appreciated as proceeds goes to two excellent causes: 1) continued stewardship of Camden Climbing maintenance and bolt replacement, and 2) people who do not have the means to climb in Camden, especially youth, climb for FREE through Northern Vertical Climbing Guides.

Here is what your donation earns you:

  • Camden Hills State Park multi-day admission and group camping with CCF participants

  • All nourishing dinners and breakfasts (good locally supported food) from Friday evening to Sunday morning (snacks are your responsibility)

  • Saturday and Sunday clinics appropriate to your climbing experience (see clinics below)

  • Friday evening’s Kickoff Social with guest speaker (TBA) and climbing film on the big screen

  • Saturday evening’s social with Keynote Speaker and Camden Climbing Legend: Geoff Heath

  • Saturday evening music and dance

  • CCF swag, games, trivia, raffle

  • A well lit hearth in our common area

  • CCF expects all participants to bring personal camping equipment and cutlery, plate, bowl and a cup for coffee and evening beverages! Thank you in advance for helping us cut back on unnecessary waste :)

2025 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, May 17th, 2024

12:00 - 5:00 PM: Clinic “Cliff and Trail Maintenance” with the Camden Hills State Park Trails Supervisor, Erik Brooks and NV owner Ryan Howes

6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter courtesy of local caterer Greenbean Cookhouse

7:00 - 9:00 PM ish: Kickoff Social with CCF Staff, climbing film and guest speakers at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage)

10:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Quiet hours

Saturday, May 18th, 2024

6:00 - 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the Picnic Shelter courtesy of local provisions Clear Mist and Zoot Coffee

7:00 - 8:00 AM: Orientation for clinics, meet your instructors at the Picnic Shelter

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Clinics for all (meeting at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook)

4:30 - 6:00 PM: Swimming and refreshments at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook (weather dependent)

6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter hosted by the Greenbean Cookhouse

7:00 - 10:00 PM: Guest Speaker Geoff Heath and music at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage), music and dance

10:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Quiet hours

Sunday, May 19th, 2024

*deconstruct campsite prior to departing for the days climbing adventure

6:00 - 7:30 AM: Breakfast courtesy of Clear Mist and Zoot Coffee

7:30 - 8:00 AM: A message from CCF Founder, Ryan Howes and Staff

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM: More Amazing Clinics

4:30 PM: Swimming and refreshments at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook (weather dependent)

THE VENUE - CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK

First step upon arrival is to check in with Camden Hills State Park Staff at the Entrance Booth for vehicle and camping tags. Make sure to announce you are attending the Camden Climbing Festival, Bub! Then, continue taking the first right to CCF Group Camping sites 3, 4 and 5. These sites are first come first serve and holds up to 10 guests per site.

Bring whatever creature comforts you need for the weekend and help us cut back on waste by bringing personal cutlery, plate, bowl and a cup for coffee and evening beverages!

Depending on what time you arrive on Friday, join the CCF crew for our first clinic: “Trail and Climbing Maintenance” from 12-5:00 PM. Festival registration opens at 4:00 PM at the Picnic Shelter, followed by Dinnah and the CCF Kickoff Social at 6:00 PM. Look on the map provided for an icon that shows a small picnic table inside a shelter. You cannot miss it, Bub! We cannot wait to see you!

VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORK evolves into Cliff and Trail Maintenance…

CCF and Camden Hills State Park’s Trail Supervisor, Erik Brooks have combined energies to clean up Park trails each festival. This five hour volunteer initiative benefits all park users in addition to protecting the natural resource. Traditionally, Maine’s state parks resources are spread thin and trail work is supported by local volunteer and friend’s groups. Camden Hills State Park has graciously receive CCF support over the past two festivals. Last year we cleaned up large, fallen pine trees, and we built a footbridge over a seasonal drainage to direct hikers and climbers along their way. Our hardworking volunteers, led by superhuman runner and climber Erik, returned just in time for our Kick Off Dinnah looking like they just moved mountains!

During a planning session for CCF 2025, festival founder Ryan Howes, who’s mission to create community and provide climbing education to all, asked CCF staff “How could we create more learning from this experience?” and this sparked the idea to turn volunteer trail work into CCF’s first ever Cliff and Trail Maintenance Clinic. Now, everyone can participate and learn how to take care of the cliffs and trails they venture to, no matter where they are located. This is the only clinic that is not capped.

Let’s double that number this May. Thank you in advance for showing up early to work and learn with us! 12 PM departure from the Old Carriage Road Trailhead. Learn more about this clinic on our clinics page. See you there!

KICKOFF SOCIAL

The Camden Climbing Festival kicks off by welcoming all into the spirit of Camden climbing, making CCF Team introductions and festival key players like our amazing sponsors: Zoot Coffee of Camden, Alpenglow Adventure Sports of Bangor, Northern Vertical Climbing Guides of Camden, our generous and delicious caterers Greenbean Cookhouse, Clear Mist, and many more.

CCF founder, Ryan Howes will provide an orientation to the weekend festival, and facilitate a campfire discussion on how climber’s manage risk, because we are all in this together. CCF is also excited to announce several amazing auction and raffle prizes from our sponsors and affiliates, followed by a short climbing documentary and guest speakers.

Those coming just for evening festivities are asked to make a donation to CCF. Many thanks in advance!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER GEOFF HEATH

Past festival keynote speakers have provided us with tall tales from around the world to the cliffs of Maine. From legendary pioneer climbers like John Bragg, who did prolific first ascents in Patagonia, Yosemite, Eldorado and the Gunks, to local legends like IFMGA guide and educator Jon Tierney, and Camden Climbing historian, guidebook author and route developer Ben Townsend.

Enter 2025…This year we got THE guy, seriously! A man who’s adventure resume seemingly flew below the radar for decades. Camden climbers know of Geoff Heath from his many first ascents on rock and ice in the Camden Hills- some ahead of their time in the 70s. While few know about his cutting edge big wall alpine ascents at just 19 years old with Jeff Lowe.

The focus of Geoff’s presentation is his solo adventure to Labrador, Canada. After building a 16’ Wayfarer sailing dinghy in Mid Coast Maine, he solo sailed 250 miles round trip and climbed in the South Torngat Mountains over the course of a month.

You don’t want to miss this multimedia presentation!