Camden Climbing Festival
May 17-19, 2024
Camden Hills State Park, Maine
The Camden Climbing Festival returns to celebrate the climbing lifestyle on the coast of Maine. Last year our inaugural festival brought in 50 eager climbers and non climbers to Camden Hills State Park, in Maine. We provided trail maintenance with the State Park’s Trails Supervisor, we climbed on five cliffs within the Park, we hung out together sharing good food and tall tales, and we watched exciting footage from our keynote speakers. Participant feedback— We can’t wait to come back!
Well here we are and CCF is for all. Anyone who wishes to experience climbing and this community for the first time is welcome. Anyone who climbs indoors and outdoors and looking for more instruction is welcome. Anyone who simply wants to kick off the 2024 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 17-19th.
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! Do this by entering your information in the contact card below and tell CCF about yourself and why you want to join the festival!
To participate, CCF asks for a sliding scale donation of $250-$500 for this 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!
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)
All 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 guest speaker (TBA)
Saturday evening’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Dance Party
CCF swag
A well lit hearth
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 :)
WE can’t wait to see YOU ….
MAY 17 - 19
Schedule
Friday, May 17th, 2024
9:00 AM: Park opens, set up camp anytime of the day
12:00 - 5:00 PM: Volunteer trail work with the Camden Hills State Park Trails Supervisor, Erik Brooks
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter… We are having Tacos!
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
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
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter hosted by local culinary guru India Mc the Green Bean Cookhouse
7:00 - 10:00 PM: Guest Speaker followed by Dance Party at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage)
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 pop up in group campsites
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
ARRIVAL & CAMPING
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 CCF crew for volunteer trail work, dinnah, and CCF Kickoff Social at the Picnic Shelter. Look on the map above for an icon that shows a small picnic table inside a shelter. You cannot miss it, Bub!
volunteer trail work
Maine climbers gather in Camden May, 2021 to maintain trails at Barrett’s Cove, Skyline, Outback and Verticals. Thanks to Salt Pump and Evo Rock & Fitness for their support.
CCF and Camden Hills State Park’s Trail Supervisor, Erik Brooks will be working together to clean up park trails. 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 is supported by local volunteer friend’s groups. Camden Hills State Park is excited to receive our support. Last year we sent eight hardworking volunteers into the hills. Let’s double that number this May. Thank you in advance for showing up early to work with us! 12 PM departure from the Picnic Shelter.
Kick off social
CCF Founder, Ryan Howes kicks off the Camden Climbing Festival 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, and Northern Vertical Climbing Guides of Camden. Ryan will provide an orientation to the weekend adventure, and facilitate a campfire discussion on how climber’s manage risk. CCF is excited to announce several amazing auction prizes from our sponsors, which will be auctioned off Sunday morning. A viewing of a short climbing documentary of failures and success in the mountains will be followed by CCF’s Friday night speakers.
Those coming just for evening festivities are asked to make a donation to CCF, thanks!
Megan “Mega” Muther learns how to manage her fear of falling during a focused session practicing falling.
clinics & instructors
CCF is excited to announce clinics for novices and experienced climbers. First time climbers will receive excellent instruction from our all-star Maine climbing instructor team, who call Camden rock climbing home. Experienced climbers looking to expand their current skills into leading sport, traditional, rescue, and mindset — will have one of the top climbing instructors in the business at their fingertips. All climbing equipment will be provided for beginners so all you have to do is show up with a backpack filled with the essentials: water, snacks, and comfortable clothing and sneakers for moderate hikes with fellow climbers to one of several Camden cliffs. We encourage seasoned climbers to climb on their own as well as participate in and provide support during the clinics. CCF is all about mentorship and your experience is valued!
CCF instructor team
dick Chasse
Dick wanted to be a mountain guide since he was a teenager, after taking a leadership role in his high school outing club and job shadowing at a university outdoor program. A seminal ice climbing experience in Maine’s Grafton Notch sealed the deal, Dick became a man of the mountains. After developing as a climbing instructor for the University of Maine Outdoor Program, Dick began guiding in 1998.
Since then, Dick has guided, climbed, and skied throughout the US, Africa, Japan, Iceland, Europe, and in South America. Favorite routes include Wafer Step in Acadia National Park and Barren’s Direct on Katahdin in Maine, North Ridge Mt. Baker in Washington, Vulcan Cayambe in Ecuador, Damnation Gulley on Mt Washington in New Hampshire, and Dark Shadows in Red Rocks Nevada.
Dick’s specialty is the attention he devotes to his clients; he truly loves guiding. “I constantly find myself thinking about how to make the next experience better for my clients. I consider it an honor to take people out to the cliffs and mountains,” he says. “The wonderful secret of guiding is that I learn as much from my clients as they learn from me.”
ryan howes “RynO”
CCF’s Founder is a lifer guide with 15 years in the industry. With an emphasis in detailed instruction and developing climbers, Ryan headed guide three guide services prior to starting Northern Vertical in 2015. When traveling and climbing beyond Maine, Ryan is commonly asked by fellow climbers “Why Maine of all places?” and his reply is simple: “Maine has a heartbeat”.
With 25 years of climbing and 50+ first ascents right here in the Camden Hills State Park, Ryan can not think of a better environment to celebrate Maine rock climbing. For more information check out Ryan’s bio.
Krystal tavares “torch”
Krystal, aka Torch, was born and raised in Maine and is an avid outdoor enthusiast! From a young age, she grew up camping, alpine skiing, hiking, traveling and was a high school athlete. She currently resides in Central Maine with her two sons, has a career in healthcare and is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching. Her passion for climbing developed out of a desire to try a new outdoor activity that involved her love of nature and physical activity. She started ice climbing with Northern Vertical in January 2021 and transitioned to rock shortly after. The rest is history! Krystal has exclusively trained with Northern Vertical for the past three years and is a confident, charismatic, and passionate climber and leader. She loves empowering women to push past their fears and false limitations and climbing is her vehicle for connection. Krystal has ticked off some amazing climbing destinations such as Red Rocks Canyon in Las Vegas, The Gunks in New York (where she did her very first lead climb) and she has climbed the infamous Armadillo on Mount Katahdin and Whitney Gilman on Cannon Cliff, Red River Gorge and Squamish. Although she loves traveling to new destinations, her heart belongs in the Camden Hills where she continues to develop her skills, her love for the sport and introducing this unique area to others.
Check out Krystal’s Women’s Climbing Clinic at CCF!
Shan razdan
Shan moved to Maine from New York City and now is an aspiring Mainer, although he is well aware of the fact that he has about 24 more years to go! He loves hiking, skiing and climbing in Maine and has a special interest in exploring uncharted trails and routes. He spent an entire winter learning ice climbing, mixed climbing and dry tooling from Ryan and finished the season with skills and techniques to lead winter routes. Shan is a surgeon and enjoys the teaching and learning in his profession, so there is no doubt why he also enjoys teaching the nerdier aspects of climbing such as gear, anchors, belay and rappel systems to beginner climbers. In his free time he continues to work on his climbing technique indoors as well as outdoors. His goal for the summer is to lead traditional rock climbs and tick off some big objectives with Ryan throughout Maine and beyond.
Check out Shan’s Clinic: Wilderness Trauma and First Aid
Sandor Nagy “snagy”
This mechanical engineer timber framer finds joy in movement and the creative pursuit of problem solving. Snagy, is a lifer climber, with extensive climbing and first ascents in Maine, southern and western USA and beyond. Since the early 80s, Snagy has been rock climbing, ice climbing, snowboarding, ultra trail running, and raising two, now adult kids who live out their own adventures “thanks dad”. Helping new and experienced climbers develop climbing techniques into skills is one of Snagy’s specialties — he’s developed indoor climbing wall programs, climbing competitions, and guided groups throughout Maine, utilizing his AMGA training to maximize reward through safety, education and of course, fun!
Snagy plays a big role in Camden’s new climbing development and stewardship. Look for him during the volunteer trail crew and supporting new and existing climbers during Saturday and Sunday’s clinics.
Brandon gibbons
When Brandon started climbing five years ago it was ‘love at first send!’ He immediately immersed himself into climbing adventures and his natural leadership skills became apparent, so he spent two years serving on the board of directors for the North Texas Chapter of The American Alpine Club, as well as, Director of Communications. Brandon is a AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor and worked for Rock About Climbing Adventures in Texas. Brandon and his wife recently relocated to Maine and had a baby! He is excited to enter his second season working for Equinox Guiding Service and share his love of climbing with you at CCF.
If you are an existing climber definitely check out Brandon’s Single-Pitch Rescue Clinic.
Jason Ashe
Jason is a US Army Veteran and Maine native who lives with his wife Andrea & beloved senior pup, Chloe. Jason is passionate about adventure-based pursuits such as hiking, backpacking, climbing, snowshoeing, paddle boarding and foraging wild edible & medicinal mushrooms!
These passions turned turned into a rewarding career as a Recreation Therapist, utilizing intense, physical exercise and nature-based therapies for brain injury rehabilitation at the NeuroRestorative Clinic in Standish, ME.
Jason facilitates weekly adaptive hiking and rock climbing sessions for a variety of ability levels and individual needs in collaboration with Evo Rock & Fitness, as well as annual back country camping, fishing and canoeing trips for participants.
Jason is excited to collaborate with the CCF Team to offer outdoor rock climbing, for the first time ever, to people with brain injuries. We hope you are also excited to support this rewarding experience!
Sarah Gall
Sarah began climbing indoors in early 2019 and she soon discovered that climbing would give her the great opportunity to challenge herself in all ways! Early days at the rock gym were stymied by a fear of heights; not making it half way up the wall before clammy hands and a racing heartbeat were inhibiting forward progress. The process of overcoming this fear required a more integrated mind-body connection than other activities she'd pursued to this point. That's what has her hooked!
A native New Englander now local to Portland, she fuels her adventure seeking and nature loving spirit by exploring Maine via hiking, backpacking, and climbing. Her plans for 2024 include a climbing trip in Red River Gorge, backpacking the Grafton Notch Loop trail, and hiking the East Coast Trail in NewFoundland, CA.
Sarah is excited to join the CCF team and work with Torch to deliver an amazing Women’s climbing clinic!
Michael Lowe
Michael began climbing in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding area in 1979 at age 15. He went on to climb extensively throughout the United States and Europe including big wall ascents in Yosemite (El Capitan) and Rocky Mountain National (The Diamond) by the age of 19.
He was an active member of the community at that time participating in traditional style route development and early preservation/access efforts. After landing in Camden, Maine in 2000 and enjoying sailing, skiing, raising children and other activities, he has rediscovered his passion for climbing and has even recently returned from a pilgrimage to Kalymnos, Greece for some of the world’s foremost sport climbing :)
Michael is one of Ryan’s personal climbing partners and good luck charm because Ryan never falls while Michael belays. Good luck charm or or does Ryan need to push himself harder, haha? Either way, Michael’s climbing experience, stories and personality will leave you excited to climb with him time after time.
introduction to rock climbing
Barrett’s Cove Cliff - Saturday morning with the CCF Team
Experience top rope rock climbing at Barrett’s Cove Cliff with sweeping views of Lake Megunticook. That’s right, the view is amazing and so is the rock. Barrett’s Cove is a 250’ cliff composed of metamorphic schist, which is a very grippy, high friction rock. You will learn the basics of how to be prepared for a day of rock climbing, the equipment climbers use, how we safely set up climbs, movement on rock, climber communication / lingo, anchor construction, and general risk management. Several instructors will be available to support the process so everyone participating gets the attention they deserve. This clinic is ideal for new climbers, but experienced climbers are welcome to support the growth of novice climbers, plus you will get to climb loads of fun routes. Use the contact sheet below to sign up!
Single pitch Self rescue
Barrett’s Cove Cliff - Saturday morning with Brandon Gibbons
Things do not always go as planned. Having the knowledge and skills to get you and your partner out of an unexpected situation can be the difference between a good story to share around the campfire, or a trip to the emergency room. In this clinic, instructor Brandon Gibbons teaches single pitch self rescue techniques including, knots and friction hitches, taking over belays, ascending the rope to rescue a scared or injured climber, as well as descend with fellow climber. Brandon will go beyond the general risk management discussion in our Introduction to Rock Climbing Clinic and discuss how to assess and manage risks for climbers setting up outdoor climbs, with a precedent on how to get in front of potential problems before they arise. This clinic is designed for intermediate to advanced climbers with previous outdoor climbing experience. While self rescue is an essential skill that every climber should have, those that frequently climb with less experienced or younger climbers will find this clinic especially helpful.
Use the contact sheet below to sign up!
Top Managed Belay/Rappel Systems
Barrett’s Cove Cliff and the Verticals - Saturday afternoon with the CCF Team
Learning how to set up climbs takes a lot of time and practice under the supervision of a professional climbing instructor or a trusted and competent climbing buddy. Unless this individual knows how to lead climb, how are climbs set up and properly managed? This clinic shows you how. It is recommended for experienced climbers and/or CCF participants who have successfully completed the morning clinic Introduction to Rock Climbing.
After hiking to the top of Barrett’s Cove Cliff and the Verticals, climbers will suit up, assess various anchor types and learn how to managed top accessed climbs by setting up belayed rappels. The CCF team will be present to demonstrate and coach participants on how to construct and use these incredible systems. This is the system used in places like Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park.
Use the contact sheet below to sign up!
Wilderness Medicine 101
Picnic Shelter - Sunday morning after breakfast with Dr. Shan.
CCF is really excited to have our very own in-house-climbing-doctor-surgeon extraordinaire offering a condensed version of Wilderness First Responder. Shan cover General principles- medical history and physical examination. Basic medical care- fluids, nutrition and medications. Life threatening problems- safety, ABC’s, food aspiration, shock. Water disinfection, Rescue and Evacuation, Trauma, burn, animal attack injuries, first aid response, head and neck, chest and extremities. Non-trauma disorder, environmental injuries- altitude, heat and cold.
You will walk away with all kinds of practical information including what tools and supplies we climbers want in our pack for a day of climbing.
Use the contact sheet below to sign up!
women’s climbing
Outback - Sunday with Krystal and Sarah
Calling all lady crushers for a day of fun, exciting and challenging sport climbing for all at the Outback! This crag is about a 20 minute hike from the Maidens Cliff trailhead. There is something for everyone! Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or an advanced climber, we will send it all! There are some stellar sport routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.10 and beyond. Advanced climbers are encouraged to check out more challenging climbs and to also support and help coach the less experienced. This will be a supportive and stress-free zone for all you woman warriors to learn something new, push past your comfort zone, refine your skills and build community. Krystal and Sarah have three rules: 1) Step out of your comfort zone and try your best, 2) Support others without judgement, and 3) Have FUN!!
Use the contact sheet below to sign up!
Learn to Lead Traditional Climbs
Driest Location TBA - Sunday with Ryan Howes and the CCF Team
Maybe you already lead sport climbs or maybe your experience extends to bottom managed and top managed systems. Regardless, this clinic will teach you the techniques to lead your first ever traditional (trad) route during the clinic. With Ryan’s precision instruction and CCF Team support, you will learn about the equipment, racking basics, anchor placements, rock quality, extension, etc, etc. You do not want to miss this opportunity. Beyond the technical elements of leading, Ryan will share the finer details of mindset and advanced leader techniques from 25 years of lead climbing experience.
Use the sign up sheet to sign up!
Guest Speaker & Dance Party
During the inaugural Camden Climbing Festival we had Camden’s very own guidebook author and historian, Ben Townsend sharing in detail the history of Maine climbing pride and joy state land, Camden Hills State Park. If that wasn’t enough stoke to get everyone ready to climb in the hills, we followed that talk with Saturday’s Keynote Speaker, John Bragg, who came with tall tales and first ascents from Patagonia, Yosemite, Eldorado Canyon and the Gunks in the 70’s. A true climbing legend, pioneer and Camden resident: John (Johnna) brought us the visual and auditory creation “Climbing in the Days of Wonder”. If you missed this you missed a true legend. Who knows, perhaps Johnna will make another appearance. Stay turned to find out who we have in store this year, but for now, check out JB’s amazing poster below!
Those coming just for evening festivities are asked to make a donation to CCF, thanks!
Krystal Tavares climbing Made In China, 5.8 - the first rock climb to use bolt protection at Maiden’s Cliff.
If the Camden Climbing Festival sounds like the perfect kind of weekend adventure for you or simply want to speak with Ryan to learn more, then drop us a line below and see you soon, bub!!