Kissfist Climbing Fest

Kissfist

Climbing Fest

$50 GENERAL ADMISSION

INCLUDES GENERAL ADMISSION

$125 CLIMBING CLINICS

Intro- Advanced

Staunton State Park, Colorado

Saturday, May 31- Sunday, June 1st, 2025

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 Ticket includes access to the2 day event, evening cookout, raffle, and games but does not include Kissfist Clinics.

We encourage you to enjoy the many beautiful crags of Staunton State Park on your 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, guided instruction, or a belayer. Please bring your climbing equipment. We will connect you with other general admission participants to coordinate climbing plans.

After you've spent the day sending, we welcome you to join a community gathering at the Marmot Amphitheater. 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

in Colorado

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.

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, top rope belay, and considerations for outdoor climbing.

All equipment is provided for this clinic!

Instructor: Morgan Smith

*Great for all ability levels. Rental gear available.

FALLING AND CATCHING CLINIC

This clinic is designed to build confidence in yourself, and trust in your belayer. We will learn techniques to work through fear on the wall and practice taking lead falls in a controlled environment. Feedback will be personalized on how to provide a soft catch, when to spot your climber, and how to best evaluate the risk of falling. Get ready to let go!

Instructor: Jeffrey Mascaro

*Climbers should have experience lead climbing outdoors.

CRAGGING IN ASL CLINIC

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!

Instructor: Christina Cox

*Climbers should be comfortable tying in and belaying toprope.

ADVANCED MOVEMENT CLINIC

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!

Instructor: Aaron Potts

*Climbers should be comfortable tying in and belaying on toprope.

MULTI-PITCH TRANSITIONS CLINIC

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

*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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kissfist clinics have a maximum 5:1 ratio and all clinics except Cragging in ASL, have a max group size of 5.

  • If you need special accommodations to attend this event, please reach out to meg@smilemountainguides.com

  • Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.