Rocktoberfest 2025

Anyone looking to work on improving the climbing technique within their own box. This clinic is all about learning how to work with the body you have.

As someone who’s climbed 5.14 at both 5’3” and 6’3”, Kai had to figure out how to adapt and perform at a high level no matter my size. Whether you’re tall, short, compact, lanky, or anything in between, your size comes with strengths and challenges. Instead of trying to force someone else’s beta, we’ll break down how to read routes based on your strengths, adapt movement to fit your frame, and make smarter tactical choices on the wall.

Anyone looking to work on improving their climbing by learning from the best!

TBD, stay tuned for more info!

This meet-up is a chance for adaptive climbers of all experience levels to get outside and climb on real rock! We will set up top ropes for any climbers who do not want to lead climb, and will have safe belayers available to give you a catch! We will also have some equipment available to borrow including: standard climbing harnesses, chest and full body harnesses, Evolv prosthetic climbing feet, knee pads, and helmets.

Please note: Climbers must be able to navigate the trail to the climbing area Hazel Hollow with assistance. This trail is appox. 1/4 mile and is uphill with roots and rocks to navigate over. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility of the trail or at the crag.

Any and all folks who are seeking to build Queer climbing community.

Come hang at the crag for a chill day of climbing and community. We’ll start with some introductions, play a brief getting to know you game and head out to an easy access crag for all level climbers. This is a non-guided meetup so please come prepared with your own personal gear (climbing shoes, harness and helmet are required) and any other equipment you may want at the crag. Remember to pack plenty of water, lunch/snacks, warm layers and anything else you might need for a day outdoors.

Asian Climbing Collective (AC2) is a network of AAPI climbers with chapters across the nation, including Chicago, Boston, Seattle, and LA. We aim to make climbing more diverse and inclusive through regular meetups at gyms like those in Chicago, as well as outdoor trips, which help bring underrepresented climbers into the outdoors. Our goal is to lessen barriers of entry and create supportive spaces for mentorship, skill-building, and fun.

AC2 Instagram page

LinkTree

Join us for an Asian affinity group meetup at Rocktoberfest! This gathering is for climbers who identify as AAPI and want to connect, share experiences, and build community at the Red. Whether you’re new to climbing or experienced, all are welcome. Bring your own gear! If you have any questions, contact jeankangnews@gmail.com.

This meetup is for climbers who want to share a fun day on the rock with new friends. Whether you’re coming to Rocktoberfest solo and looking for partners, or you just want to hang with a crew of like-minded folks on approachable classics, this is for you.

Join our Tour de Moderates meetup for a laid-back day of climbing routes in the sweet spot: fun, accessible grades that keep the stoke high and the pump friendly. We'll climb together, swap belays, eat crag snacks, and hang out while exploring some of the Gorge’s best moderate lines. It’s the perfect way to break the ice, meet potential climbing partners, and enjoy the social side of Rocktoberfest.

Women climbers, inclusive for all binary/non-binary, cis, trans women, that haven't climbed in a while and need some tips on becoming a better top rope climber as they gear up for lead climbing.

Come hang out with fellow climbers and be with a supportive community while learning how to create a fun and safe outdoor top rope experience. We'll swap stories, share tips on choosing the best side of the rope once the route is set, and break down climbing technique—from footwork to body positioning. Need a belay refresher? We've got you covered. Whether you're new to the rock or just brushing up your skills, this session is all about learning, laughing, and crushing climbs together.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about wildlife and the geology of the rock climbing in the Red River Gorge (and pssst... you'll get to peep some of the brand new climbing in Cave Fork!)

Got some time between breakfast and lunch? Join our friends from the Kentucky Geological Survey for a guided hike on the RRGCC’s new property (part of the former Ashland WMA). They’ll talk a bit about the local wildlife (snakes, deer, and insects like caterpillars and butterflies) on the way to The Venue, and then answer all of your burning geology questions at the wall. Representatives from Powell County Tourism and the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition will be on hand to answer any questions about the area, climbing access, or local resources.

All are welcome! Great for climbers, non-climbers, and families!

Aspiring trad leaders, participants should have basic sport climbing knowledge but do not need any trad experience.

This clinic will explore many common pieces of trad gear with the goal of understanding the criteria for solid placements. You can expect to learn about and practice placing gear in a top-rope setup as well as in a “ground school” setting. Climbers should already understand basic lead climbing skills (i.e. clipping, lead belaying, etc.).

Does fear of falling limit your enjoyment of climbing and ability to try hard? This class is designed to help intermediate to advanced sport climbers improve their relationship with fear and risk when it comes to falling. Participants should be comfortable leading routes 5.11 or above to get the most out of the clinic

Participants will dive into their relationship with fear, rational vs irrational, learn to work with their fears and accept them as a normal part of the process, mentally prepare for an attempt where they could fall and fail, and much more! Wherever your climbing journey takes you, this class is designed to make it more enjoyable to project and pursue goals outside of your comfort zone!

Do you want to take your sport climbing skills to the next level? This fun class is designed to help intermediate to advanced sport climbers improve their climbing performance through learning tactics to optimize efficiency on the wall. Participants should be comfortable leading routes 5.11 or above to get the most out of the clinic.

Participants will learn about route reading, efficient movement, effective clipping, mental preparation, how to best optimize every attempt, and much more! Whatever route you decide to try, whether it is on a big wall or in a competition, these tactics can really make a difference!

Beginner climbers who want to transition from climbing in a gym to climbing outside.

Climbing outside involves a more robust skillset than typical gym climbing. This clinic teaches the basic skill to make that transition, learning lead climbing basics, top-rope setup, cleaning bolted anchors, route reading, understanding route description, and how to approach a lead.

Those new to multi-pitch, as well as multi-pitch veterans, looking to polish their skills. This is an intermediate-level course, participants should have a good working knowledge of basic climbing systems.

Climb faster on long routes without sacrificing security! This clinic will explore the techniques and planning necessary to make things run smoothly on multi-pitch routes. Topics covered will include rope management, anchoring and belaying from above, as well as descent considerations. This clinic will be held close to the ground, climbing routes will not be the primary focus.

Have you been climbing indoors or just top-roping for awhile? This may be the clinic for you! Prior climbing experience is needed. We recommend a minimum of 6 months climbing experience. You should be comfortable with basic climbing movements and ideally be able to tie-in and belay.

Focus on the essentials to transitioning from indoor to outdoor climbing (or simply from top-roping to lead climbing outside) as you learn the ins and outs of quickdraws, clipping, climbing between bolts, and route/anchor cleaning.

Anyone who is looking to learn climbing tips and tricks from one of the best climbers of our generation.

More info to come, stay tuned!

Designed to help climbers get the most out of the fitness they already have, this session focuses on pacing, resting, and tactical decision-making to keep it together on long and pumpy routes.

Learn how to pace yourself for efficient redpoint attempts, resting strategies: how long to rest, how to breathe, how to position your body, spotting and using "unobvious" rest stances, understanding the science behind recovery and pump, mental and physical tactics to manage endurance on big efforts. You’ll walk away with strategies to help you conserve energy, recover better on route, and make smarter decisions mid-climb — especially when the send is on the line.

Those new to multi-pitch, as well as multi-pitch veterans, looking to polish their skills. This is an intermediate-level course, participants should have a good working knowledge of basic climbing systems.

Climb faster on long routes without sacrificing security! This clinic will explore the techniques and planning necessary to make things run smoothly on multi-pitch routes. Topics covered will include rope management, anchoring and belaying from above, as well as descent considerations. This clinic will be held close to the ground, climbing routes will not be the primary focus.

Beginner climbers who want to transition from climbing in a gym to climbing outside.

Climbing outside for the first time can be a little intimidating. Take the skills you have learned in the gym and apply them to an outdoor setting. Also learn the additional skills you will need to be successful outside like cleaning anchors, stick clipping, reading a guidebook, picking routes, outdoor climbing ethics and considerations.

Novice or intermediate trad climbers looking to expand their repertoire of crack climbing movements.

Understanding how to ascend various cracks lead to more adventure in the climbing world. Crack climbing is one of the most important skills needed to take on many of the world-classic traditional routes. This clinic focuses on the body, foot, and hand position to tackle all sizes of cracks efficiently.

New to trad or always interested but haven't taken any steps yet? This introduction to trad climbing may be the clinic for you! Learn the basics of trad gear and placement while climbing some beginner friendly to moderate trad routes.

This clinic is for women and gender-diverse climbers (including cis and trans women, nonbinary, and genderqueer folks) who are already comfortable leading and lead belaying, but new to the process of projecting harder climbs. If you’ve been wanting to break into more challenging routes but aren’t sure where to start, this space is for you.

Projecting can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! With the right tactics, it becomes a fun and empowering process. In this clinic, experienced local climbers will guide you through the art of projecting and teach you the tricks of the trade. We’ll cover a range of physical, technical, tactical, and mental tools to expand your projecting toolkit, with hands-on practice and supportive coaching at the crag. By the end of the day, you’ll have new skills, confidence, and a clearer path forward in your projecting journey—all within a positive, inclusive, and judgment-free environment.

Help us give back to the areas where we climb! One group will be doing some clean up along Indian Creek and the Pebble Beach Trail with the Forest Service. Another group will head to Beattyville to assist local officials with a project. The RRGCC will provide all the necessary items for this event. Questions? Contact curtis.rogers@rrgcc.org.