Climb on! Climbing festival set for Duluth’s Quarry Park

The event, sponsored by the Duluth Climbers Coalition, is a celebration of winter climbing and other cold-weather recreation. Quarry Park is reached by a short trail at the top of 59th Avenue West in West Duluth. The festival is free and open to anyone.

Quarry Park, a former rock quarry, features 100-foot-high rock walls. Water that seeps from the ground on top drips down the walls and freezes throughout the winter, forming long tongues of ice. Climbers ascend the walls using special tools to climb both the rock and ice.

The festival is geared to the general public as well as to climbers, said Dave Pagel, a member of the Duluth Climbers Coalition board.

"Since the inception of the Quarry Park concept, the climbing community has been dedicated to the idea that this is a park for everyone," Pagel said, "and we want our festival to reflect that. We've worked hard to develop amenities such as trails that will ensure that everyone has access to the park."

Here's a look at festival activities:

Friday, Feb. 2

The event kicks off from 7-10 p.m. at the new Duluth Folk School, 1917 W. Superior St., with a climbers' social and ice-gear sharpening clinics. Anyone is welcome to stop in and visit with local and visiting climbers. Food and beverages can be brought in.

Saturday, Feb. 3

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ropes will be set for experienced ice and mixed climbers at Quarry Park in West Duluth. ("Mixed" refers to climbing a combination of ice and rock.) In addition, four climbing clinics, including a free introductory session for middle school and high school students, will be offered. Pre-registration through the Duluth Climbers Coalition website (www.duluthclimbers.org) is required for all clinics.

Saturday activities for non-climbers at Quarry Park include winter hiking on new trails, the new disc-golf course, free fat-tire bike demos, and a lively campfire observation area with hot drinks and roasted bacon. Note: This venue is now a city park. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

Festivities continue in the evening at the Lyric Conference Center in downtown Duluth, with free presentations starting at 7 p.m. including the new "Mixtress" movie featuring top-rated female mixed climbers.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Climbers and others are encouraged to explore Quarry Park informally (no fixed ropes or organized activities).

More information including maps, schedules, and registration for Saturday climbing clinics can be found at www.duluthclimbers.org, or by contacting events@duluthclimbers.org.