Kissfist
Climbing Fest
Kissfist
Climbing Fest
$40 GENERAL ADMISSION
INCLUDES GENERAL ADMISSION
$125 CLIMBING CLINICS
Intro- Advanced
Staunton State Park, Colorado
1-Day (8:OO AM - 7:00 PM)
Smile Mountain Guides and CO ASL Climbing group are partnering to host an outdoor climbing event. This event is unique in the way it centers & celebrates the Deaf climbing experience!
Participants can explore the crags of Staunton State Park on their own or join a clinic taught in ASL! Clinic participants will be able to use gear provided by Smile Mountain Guides.
Afterward, we invite you to join a community gathering with food, drink, games, and a raffle!
Thank you for the support from Arc’Teryx RINO, Bent Gate Mountaineering, Neptune Mountaineering, and Boulder Rock Club.
If you need special accommodations to attend this event, please reach out to meg@smilemountainguides.com
GENERAL ADMISSION
Join us for an unforgettable day of climbing with the CO ASL community & Smile Mountain Guides!
The General Admission Pass provides access to the evening events of the fest but does not include Kissfist Clinics.
We encourage you to enjoy the many beautiful crags of Staunton on your own schedule. You and your climbing partners get to decide which crag, routes, and trails you want to explore! This option does not include participation in any of the clinics. Climbing equipment, a guide, or a belayer are not provided. We will connect you with other general admission participants to coordinate climbing plans if you would like!
After you've spent the day sending, we welcome you to join a community gathering at the Ranch Hand Picnic Area. There we will celebrate with complimentary food, drink, and games. You may even win big at the raffle! Prizes have been donated by Arc’Teryx, Bent Gate Mountaineering, and Neptune Mountaineering.
Kiss Fist Climbing Fest is supported by
Morning yoga
Start the day off right as you connect mind & body in nature with a yoga practice taught in ASL. Instructor, Elizabeth Long, specializes in teaching yin style yoga where postures and breath work combine to energize! Class will start at 7:45 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early!
Instructor: Elizabeth Long
*Please bring your own equipment (mat, blanket, props, etc.)
Please reach out if you need financial accommodations to join.
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Smile Mountain Guides and CO ASL Climbing group are partnering to host an outdoor climbing event. This event is unique in the way it centers & celebrates the Deaf climbing experience!
Participants can explore the crags of Staunton State Park on their own or join a clinic taught in ASL! Clinic participants will be able to use gear provided by Smile Mountain Guides. Afterward, we invite you to join a community gathering with food, drink, games, and a raffle!
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Morning Yoga taught by Elizabeth Long
7:45 am - 8:45 am
Kissfist Clinics, held at various crags in Staunton State Park
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
Social Fest, a night with food, drinks, and a raffle!
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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UPPER LAYERS
+Synthetic T-shirt
BOTTOM LAYERS
BACKPACKS
+35-45 L Crag Pack
ACCESSORIES
+Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Sun Hat
+Nalgene, Minimum 1.5L
+Climbing Snacks: 100 calories an hour!
+ Buff
EQUIPMENT
Trad Clinics Group Gear:
+Camelots: Singles from .3-3, Black Diamond
+Stoppers: Singles from #7-11, Black Diamond
+Alpine Draws: 6 Shoulder Lengths, One Carabiner
Trad Clinic Personal Equipment Kit:
+5 HMS Locking Carabiners (minimum)
+120cm Sewn Sling
+18’ cordelette, 7mm Nylon or Tech Cords Only
Bringing any personal climbing gear you have from the above list is encouraged, group gear can be provided by Smile Mountain Guides.
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Derek Braun: Intro to Trad Climbing
Christina Cox & Jeff Mascaro: Cragging in ASL
Aaron Potts: Advanced Climbing Movement
Elizabeth Long: Morning Yoga
Morgan Smith: Intro to Outdoor Climbing
Meg Nickman: Multi-Pitch Transitions
Kissfist Climbing clinics
INTRO TO OUTDOOR CLIMBING
Are you new to climbing outside? This clinic you will cover all the basics! Tying in, belaying, lowering, gear selection and more. Once you’re comfortable with the systems, our team will provide movement exercises and set up climbs that will help develop your climbing skills. This clinic includes tying in and top rope belay.
All equipment is provided for this clinic!
Instructor: Morgan Smith
5:1 Climber to Guide Ratio
*Great for all ability levels. Rental gear available.
INTRO TO TRADITIONAL CLIMBING
An intro to traditional climbing protection and risk management skills for this style of climbing. Cams, stoppers, rope management and more!
Instructor: Derek Braun
4:1 Climber to Guide Ratio
*Trad gear provided.
CRAGGING IN ASL
This clinic is a truly unique and fun way to merge your passion for sign language and rock climbing! Christina Cox, expertly works with students teaching ASL communication fundamentals, Deaf culture, and climbing/outdoor specific vocabulary. We’ve specifically designed this clinic for climbers interested in building ASL communication skills in a climbing environment.
We will start with lessons to build on (or review) climbing ASL terms. Then dive into more experience with good communication strategies while out on the rocks. A special challenge for the day - voices off - to enjoy using these communication skills while climbing!
Christina Cox is a Deaf climber who creates an immersive ASL learning experience with art, digital content, and printed media. She has worked, lived, and adventured across the US and Canada with communities that foster her Deafhood and embrace challenge with growth.
She’s worked with all ages, teaching in an ASL/English bilingual early childhood classroom and multi-disciplinary outdoor adventure guiding with a specialized focus on rock climbing.
Instructor: Christina Cox
5:1 Climber to Guide Ratio
*Climbers should be comfortable tying in and belaying on toprope.
ADVANCED MOVEMENT OUTDOORS
Climbing outside can feel very different from the gym. Grades don’t feel the same, the holds aren’t obviously defined, and reading the route can be more difficult. In the Advanced Movement Clinic we will set up routes that help you build better movement patterns and learn to identify what you need while assessing a route. We will have climbs graded 5.11-5.12 set up for you to top rope. CHALLENGE YOURSELF & TRY HARD! We recommend this clinic for any climber who likes to climb 5.10 in the gym or 5.9 outside.
Your instructor, Aaron Potts, is passionate about the foundations of good movement techniques and applying them as you push your limits. He has been climbing for 15+ years and has experienced the need to improve physical and mental ability to pursue big objectives! He has worked in the climbing industry with Movement gyms and looks forward to connecting with you in this clinic!
Instructor: Aaron Potts
5:1 Climber to Guide Ratio
*Climbers should be comfortable tying in and belaying on toprope.
MULTI-PITCH TRANSITIONS
Build efficient transition techniques for multi-pitch routes, whether you are block-leading or swapping leads with your partner. Climbers should have some experience with building anchors and using a device in top belay mode.
Instructor: Meg Nickman
4:1 Climber to Guide Ratio
*This clinic is taught in a ground school setting.
FAQ’s
Kissfist climbing fest QUESTIONS
The answers to our most commonly asked questions about the Kissfist Climbing Fest.
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General Admission - includes entrance to the event and the party to follow the day of climbing! Food, drinks, fun! The proceeds from general admission contribute to the cost of organizing the event and enable the CO ASL climbing community to host future events.
Climbing Clinic- Clinic registration includes access to the event, party, and clinic!
If you’re registered for a clinic, you can expect communication from the instructor on where/when to meet and what gear to bring. Clinics will take place from 9am - 3pm.
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Clinics:
Gear will be provided for all Kissfist clinics, however, you are encouraged to bring your climbing gear (harness, helmet, shoes, belay device) to your clinics. You may also bring specific gear to your clinics that are helpful to have such as cams and wedges to your Intro to Trad class.
General Admission:
Gear is not provided for general admission guests.
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Kissfist clinics have a maximum 5:1 ratio and all clinics except Cragging in ASL, have a max group size of 5.
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If you need special accommodations to attend this event, please reach out to meg@smilemountainguides.com
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.