Rockfest 2026

📣 JUST ANNOUNCED: Katie Lamb as Keynote Speaker!

Welcome to Rockfest 2026 in Leavenworth, WA!

Join us on Sat, May 2nd, 2026 at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts for a full day of live music, delicious food & drinks, vendors, speakers, clinics, a bouldering competition, and so much more!

Clinics

• Host: North Cascades Mountain Guides
• Time: 4 hours. Start times 8 am or 1 pm (arrive early to register!)
• Location: Icicle Canyon, Leavenworth, WA
• To register: Purchase General Admission Ticket and Add Clinic in cart +$55

Multi-pitch efficiency AM, Multi-pitch efficiency PM

Participants will learn how to employ simple and efficient anchor configurations, and develop consistent habits to promote both safety and efficiency. Topics will include strategies for rope management at the belay, options for climbing in parties of 3, use of various belay strategies, including the fixed point lead belay. Course limit 4 participants.

Traditional Anchors AM

Participants will learn how to place active and passive traditional protection and link those together to form solid and efficient anchors using a variety of materials and techniques. We will discuss assessment of individual pieces, as well as overall anchor security. This clinic is aimed at those climbers just beginning their traditional-protection climbing, or those who want to brush up on this fundamental skill. Limit 6 participants each course.

Top Rope Anchors PM

This clinic is oriented towards newer outdoor climbers and will focus on ways to get to top anchors from a climb and from above with adequate security, how to build robust top-rope anchors, and how to clean those anchors with lower risk solutions. Limit 6 participants each course.

Traditional Leading AM, Traditional Leading PM

Participants will learn how to place active and passive protection in the context of leading a pitch, as well as strategies for ensuring high-quality placements that provide adequate fall security for the leader, and protect the belay. The clinic may include the opportunity to complete a “mock lead” (on top-rope), where the instructor will inspect the participant’s placements and provide feedback. Limit 4 participants each course.

Rappelling tactics AM, Rappelling tactics PM

This clinic will focus on multi-pitch rappelling techniques and techniques for lowering climbers. This is a foundational component of multi-pitch climbing and one where a number of accidents have occurred. We will help develop solid habits that will increase security and efficiency. Limit 6 participants each course.

Bouldering AM, Bouldering PM

This clinic will introduce new boulderers to the world of outdoor bouldering. It will include movement and technique practice, spotting and pad placement skills and gym-to-crag awareness to prepare new climbers for the additional rigors of climbing outside of a gym setting. Limit 6 participants each course.

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Bouldering Comp Details:

Beargrass will be facilitating the bouldering competition. Stay tuned for details!

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Camping FAQ

Camping is available for Friday and Saturday nights on a first come, first serve basis up Icicle Canyon at the RV site (https://maps.app.goo.gl/33izNT5Q1yTkUT7Q9). This site can accommodate approximately 50 vehicles. There will be toilets here but no trash collection, so please pack out all your waste!

Other car camping options include the Bridge Creek bivy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tjEmEo6FRUhukaL58) and Forestland parking lot (https://maps.app.goo.gl/XtLTG1keifCSG71U6), and dispersed camping is allowed in the Icicle on Forest Service land on the non-river side of the road. As always, please respect no camping signs on private property and follow Leave No Traces principles. Toilets are available in numerous locations in the Icicle – no need to dig a cat hole in the woods!

Additional camping information can be found on the Wenatchee River Ranger District (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen/recarea/?recid=57123) website.

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*Schedule is subject to change resulting from unforeseen circumstances.