WSU Outdoor Program Helps Sponsor Region’s Premier Climbing Festival

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s Outdoor Program, GEAR:30 and The Front Climbing Club will present the eighth annual Ogden Climbing Festival (OCF8) April 9-11.
 
As many as 1,500 people are expected to attend the three-day event. This year’s festival will include the Ogden premiere of “Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia.” The award-winning documentary chronicles Lowe’s greatest climb up the north face of Eiger in Switzerland, followed by his 15-year battle with a neurodegenerative disorder similar to ALS. The world-renowned climber is an Ogden native.  
 
The festival will include educational clinics with professional climbers, as well as Ogden’s largest climbing competition. The event attracts climbers, educators, retailers and businesses.
 
“Ogden is home to an incredibly rich climbing history. Our proximity to world-class rock, ice and alpine climbing makes it an ideal proving ground,” said Daniel Turner, WSU’s Outdoor Program coordinator and festival organizer. “For this reason, we continue to promote the Ogden Climbing Festival as the perfect time to try rock climbing for the first time or advance your skills to the next level.”
 
OCF8 is the largest climbing festival in Utah. Events are open to the public, family friendly and free. Novice to experienced climbers, of all ages and abilities can learn new rock climbing skills in a safe environment.
 
OCF8 schedule 

Gear and Climbing Demo, April 9, 5-9 p.m.
  • Location: Wildcat Center for Health Education and Wellness,Weber Rocks Climbing area
  • Gear and climbing demonstrations will introduce climb to the latest in climbing equipment and techniques. Vendors throughout the state will showcase climbing shoes, harnesses and other equipment.
  • To participate in climbing, children under 18 must bring a legal guardian to sign risk and waiver forms.
 
“Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia” premiere, April 10, doors open 6 p.m., show begins 7 p.m.
  • Location: Ogden High School Auditorium
  • Premier Tickets $20, General Admission $15, Student $10 (with I.D.), for advanced tickets, visit weber.edu/ogdenclimbingfestival
  • For more about the film, jeffloweclimber.com
     
Educational Climbing Clinics, April 11, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Ogden boulder field
  • Tour de Ogden boulder field
  • Children’s boulder clinic
  • Top roping clinic
  • WSU rock-rescue clinic
  • Advanced trad anchors
  • Yoga in the boulder field
  • 12-1 p.m. free lunch (1790 Lake St., below the Ogden boulder field)
     
OCF8 Citizens Bouldering Competition with Pro Finals, April 11
Location: The Front Climbing Club, Ogden  
The OCF8 Citizens Bouldering Competition and pro finals are hosted at The Front Climbing Club. Participants can register in youth, beginner, intermediate or advanced competition categories. Those who participate in the open category will compete against some of the region’s strongest competitors for a cash purse.
 
The Front Climbing Club has earned its reputation as host to some of the foremost competitions in the United States and will partner with the OCF to host Ogden’s largest climbing competition.

For high-resolution photos, please visit the following links:

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-HhgGtgW/0/X2/DSC_8646-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-Q2c72cz/0/X2/0122-X2.jpg

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu
Contact:
Daniel Turner, WSU’s Outdoor Program coordinator and festival organizer
801-626-7354 • danielturner1@weber.edu