The Wānaka Climbing Club (WCC) has joined forces with the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) to host the first Wānaka Crag Fest, a rock-climbing event promoting community and best practice.

At least 100 climbers are expected to take part in this weekend’s festival (March 15-17), which aims to bring together NZ’s climbing community and inspire them to get out and enjoy climbing, as well as upskilling them in climbing techniques and caring for the climbing environment.

“The festival is an idea that’s been bubbling about for sometime,” WCC president James-Anthony Keswick told the Wānaka App.

“Thanks to WCC committee member Kate Friedlander and NZAC we’re able to take it a step further.”

NZAC general manager Karen Leacock said crag fest is suitable for anyone who has done some outdoor climbing, and there will be “something for everyone”.

Aspiring Helicopters drops materials for this weekend’s sustainability project. PHOTO: Supplied

Instructor-led climbing clinics will be held, as will ‘supported climbing’ sessions. These sessions will enable people to come along and meet new climbing partners, with volunteers able to set up top ropes, advise on climbing grades, and supply that “extra local knowledge”, Kate Friedlander told the Wānaka App.  

These are an extension of the monthly ‘social climbing’ sessions Kate organises (held on the first Thursday of every month). Kate said the sessions have been boosted recently by the donation of two ropes and 12 quickdraws for the club from local business MT Outdoors.

The Crag Fest includes a quiz night on Friday, a party with live music on Saturday night, and a morning yoga session on Sunday.

“Crag Fest is also trying to support crag maintenance, and generate a community feel in terms of maintaining the crags and access,” Kate said.

On Saturday Crag Fest participants will contribute their afternoon to help the local club with a sustainability project: upgrading an access track to the Highside Crag, facilitated by long term club members Ed Nepia and Joel Dean.

James said the WCC had had fantastic support from its key partner the Department of Conservation, particularly community rangers Megan Eastes and Nicole Weyandt, who facilitated a heli-drop permit (Aspiring Helicopters) for working bee materials.

Anyone interested in taking part in the working bee should meet at 2.30pm on Saturday at the Hospital Flat car park, and bring sturdy footwear, work gloves, sunhats, water, and if possible gardening tools (secateurs, mattocks, rakes, etc). 

Rock climbing has a long history in Wānaka, and along with the old favourites there are many new crags offering all sorts of challenges. 

Go deeper: Crags, characters, and conservation: the Wānaka Rock Climbing Club

The Wānaka Crag Fest will take place from Friday to Sunday (March 15-17) around Wānaka. Find more information here.

To support Wānaka Climbing Club or become a member check out its Facebook page.