About Climb Smart

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$229 EARLY BIRD GENERAL ADMISSION UNTIL SEPT 30
HOW TO PREPARE CHECKLIST

What It’s All About


Climb Smart is a 3-day event, running all day Friday through Sunday on a special weekend in the Fall each year. Unique mini-clinics run by working guides at Joshua Tree National Park offer introduction and refresher content in 2 or 3 session tracks, as well as managed toprope climbing for those who simply want to try their skills on the quartz monzonite stone. Each evening a catered dinner is provided and a stage show delivers entertainment, inspiration and more education in multimedia format. We always have great brand sponsors and local and regional retailers as well as as gear giveaways. The attendee of Climb Smart will leave more experienced, better networked, psyched for climbing and likely with some swag items too.

One of the unique offerings at Climb Smart is working with professional climbing guides in mini-clinic format which allows for getting to know several different organizations, style differences, and consistencies between climbing schools. In the end, all of the guide organizations invited to participate in Climb Smart are top shelf, longstanding professional outfits permitted by the Park and have strong reputations in the climbing community.

SPONSOR CLIMB SMART

The Climb Smart Festival is the largest gathering of climbers at Joshua Tree. It is owned and managed by Friends of Joshua Tree, a 501 c(3) founded 1991. This annual event kicks off the climbing season in Joshua Tree with education and stewardship as the primary pillars, as well as establishing the climbing
community as a positive force working with the National Park and land managers throughout the region.

Over 300 attendees are anticipated this year, building on years of growth and adaptation to a changing climbing community and scene in JTree. This event will stage in the National Park at the Indian Cove Group Campgrounds through a special arrangement with the Park. Now in its 29th year, the mix of new and experienced climbers at Climb Smart represents a uniquely diverse and eager audience looking to have their first (or next) JTree climbing experience.

Track Descriptions

Climb SmartEDUCATION

Specific Clinic Information: These mini 3-hour clinics are regularly featured at Climb Smart events. These aren’t the entirety of our offering each year, but answer many questions about exactly what is involved. All clinics are ground school (taught at the crag, but not at height) UNLESS it is managed topropes or specifically labeled Advanced or At Height.

SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels

In this clinic we go over the essential knots for climbing, and the fundamentals of assessing gear placements leading to reliable anchor-building. This is a hands-on clinic where there will be lots of practice tying specific climbing knots and assessing quality gear placements in rock.

SKILL LEVEL: 

The Anchor Clinic reviews gear placement techniques and moves to connecting placements into a Solid, Equalized, Redundant, Non-Extending, and  Efficient toprope or mid-wall anchor.

SKILL LEVEL:

In this clinic, toprope will be set and managed by certified guides to enable registered attendees to climb a variety of climbs in Joshua Tree on belay with tested belayers. Sign up for this to get the most climbing in during Climb Smart. 

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced

Multi-pitch climbing involves more advanced route finding, approach, and overall backcountry-relevant trad climbing skills. Learn the fundamentals of rope and gear management while en route, efficient movement and belay tactics, descending and decision-making tactics.

SKILL LEVEL: Experience in basic single-pitch

For those experienced in basic single pitch climbing and belaying techniques, or those who want to refresh Self-rescue techniques. Scenarios like going hands-free, Escaping a belay, raising and lowering a partner, and specific friction knots that facilitate self-rescue.

SKILL LEVEL:  All Skill Levels

For those identifying as female, a women’s specific clinic allows for more focused and intimate discussion and targeted learning. This clinic does involve climbing at height, and integrates aspects of the above topics. Be prepared to share space with folks of all experience groups, including rank beginners. 

SKILL LEVEL: 

Aid climbing requires specific gear, techniques, and a lot of patience and stamina on either end of the rope. This clinic is an introduction to aiding techniques and gear, as well as some practice with aid placement practice and gear usage.

SKILL LEVEL: 

Tour around a section of Joshua Tree National Park and put your bouldering skills to the test with a senior guide and/or pro athlete. Climbing at height.

SKILL LEVEL:  All Skill Levels

Learn about techniques that allow people of all abilities to practice climbing and gain the skills and experience of a lifetime. What is important is to understand that anyone can learn to climb, regardless of ability. Especially good for those who want to (or already do) teach climbing to others. 

SKILL LEVELS: 

A hands on experience of fixed anchor removal, creation and replacement with the experts at FIXE.

SKILL LEVEL: 

Climbers need particular items in a First Aid Kit depending on where and how they climb, as well as training to support field assessment, transport and dressing/treatment. Also included, "What’s In Your Pack?"

SKILL LEVEL:  All Skill Levels

Learn about the landscape flora, fauna and cultural history with this expert-led tour of the Indian Cove area. 

In addition to the clinic topics above, you will have the opportunity to learn about:

  • Specific high desert ecosystem challenges
  • Leave No Trace and Recreate Responsibly practices
  • Local Climbing Ethics
  • Expertise as campers, hikers, wildlife biologists, and climbers visiting wild and ancestral lands.

STEWARDSHIP

  • Climb SmartClimb Smart regularly includes stewardship projects, in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park, that advance healthy ecosystems and minimize damage to sensitive high desert soils, flora and fauna.
  • Giving back to our wonderful Park by caring for all of its inhabitants is a primary mission of FOJT.

NETWORKING

  • Meet like-minded climbers in and around your region
  • Learn about retailers and rock gym programs to transition from sport to trad
  • Meet working guides who can help you get to the next level no matter where you are on the climbing spectrum.
REGISTER HERE TODAY
$229 EARLY BIRD GENERAL ADMISSION UNTIL SEPT 30
HOW TO PREPARE CHECKLIST