Petzl Partners with The Craggin’ Classic Series To Send An Important Message to Climbers

September 14, 2018

Effort aims to bring awareness to the importance of protecting your head while climbing.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (September 14, 2018) – Showcasing its ongoing commitment to education and improving safety for climbers, Petzl is going on tour to educate climbers on the importance of wearing helmets at the climbing crag. This educational tour is part of the American Alpine Club’s Craggin’ Classic Series–the country’s only nationally-touring, grassroots climbing festival which travels to seven world-class climbing locations around the country.

The tour kicks off at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon on Sept. 14. Petzl will be demoing its line of helmets that provide enhanced protection to the front, rear and sides of the head. This level of protection is identifiable with Petzl’s TOP AND SIDE PROTECTION label, guaranteeing a certain level of protection from side impacts during a fall and not just from falling rocks from above. Petzl’s participation aims to move the industry towards enhanced helmet protection, going beyond the current standards to keep climbers safe.

“We specifically hand-picked these festivals because they primarily take place at single-pitch sport crags where it is normally taboo to wear helmets,” said Ben Eaton, Marketing Manager at Petzl. “We want to foster awareness around the idea that helmets don’t only protect against falling rock from above, but that even while sport climbing, they help guard against side impacts that result from falling.”

During the Petzl helmet demos at all seven events, climbers will be given a chance to win prizes after they show a picture of themself wearing the helmet during their clinic or while out climbing.

The Craggin’ Classic Series brings climbers together to celebrate all things climbing and each weekend includes a range of events from films, slideshows, presentations, music, local food and beer, vendor villages and clinics taught by professional athletes. In addition to offering helmet demos, Petzl athletes will be leading clinics and workshops for climbers of all levels.

“One of the guiding pillars at Petzl is providing expert knowledge and resources for the vertical world, and having our athletes be able to share their expertise on behalf of Petzl with the larger climbing community through the Craggin’ Classics events ties right into the heart of our brand,” said Adam Peters, Sport Event and Team Specialist at Petzl.

Below are dates, locations and information on these Petzl athlete-led clinics:

Smith Rock, Oregon | September 14-16

Anna Pfaff will lead a Women’s Intro to Sport Climbing workshop, giving climbers the opportunity to practice clipping quickdraws, rope management, mock-lead a climb and learn about gear and safety. Routes will be set up from 5.7-5.10.

New River Gorge, West Virginia | September 21-23

Jessa Goebel will host a Rock Your Rack Women’s Only clinic that will go over basic crack climbing skills and technique — from thin to wide cracks, and everything in between. Participants will learn to place gear efficiently, as well as some handy gear tricks.

Also at New River Gorge, Dru Mack will conduct an Advanced Sport Climbing Skills clinic that focuses on refining skills and learning a few new techniques to apply to red points.

Karsten DeLap, owner of Fox Mountain Guides will also be leading a “Mystery Clinic” designed for climbers of any ability to create the clinic they want on the spot.

Rumney, New Hampshire | October 5-7

Jay Conway, local Rumney climbing will be leading a Petzl sponsored clinic. Jay has intimate knowledge of Rumney, its rock, history and personalities. Join him for a one of a kind “Locals Clinic.”

Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin | October 12-14

Jamie Finlayson will lead a Better Bouldering clinic focused on goal setting and strategy for achieving those goals. Creating a plan of attack is imperative to climbing success when you’ve got limited time to train and send and this clinic will aim to step up your bouldering game.

Shelf Road, Colorado | October 19-21

Chelsea Rude will lead a Movement For Women clinic focused on developing a solid foundation technique to make you a more efficient climber. Some technical things that will be discussed are footwork, hip movement, pivoting along shoulders, minimize pulling and maximize pushing. In addition, Rude will will talk about fear and hopefully demystify some ‘what if’s’ in the fear of climbing.

Moab, Utah | October 26-28

To be determined.

Bishop, California | November 2-4

Daniel Woods will lead an Advanced Bouldering clinic which will help participants step-up their bouldering game by working on advanced techniques and strategies for sending your hardest problems. Daniel will work with the group in identifying some common themes that prevent them from sending, then work through options to overcome plateaus, mental obstacles, and address physical strength/technique.

Nathaniel Coleman will also lead an Indoor Bouldering Translated to Outdoor Success clinic to help participants develop a strategy for their outdoor bouldering sessions and identify techniques for transforming indoor skills to outdoor success. Coleman will also cover some key elements of indoor training that transfer well to outdoor climbing.

To learn more about the different Craggin’ Classic Series, please visit: https://americanalpineclub.org/craggin-classics-2/

About Craggin’ Classic Series

Craggin’ Classic Series was founded by the American Alpine Club to gather the climbing community at world-class cragging destinations across the country to celebrate our fellowship, enhance our skills and education, and take ownership in preserving and caring for our climbing landscapes. The series is upheld by three pillars. For more, visit americanalpineclub.com.

Petzl®

For over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing, caving, and alpinism. In the professional market, Petzl is a world leader in work at height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made us so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com.