Historically, the Hang has changed much over the years, passing through several distinct phases. It all began in 1991, at Washington’s Bar and Grill in Old Town, Fort Collins, a watering hole for local climbers, including John Shireman and Craig Luebben. One night, perhaps after a few pints, Shireman and Luebben began climbing the back wall of the building. This, somewhat obliquely, sparked the idea for a Fort Collins climbing competition. Thus the Hang was born. In 1992, the comp attracted some of the nation’s strongest climbers, gunning for $8,000 in prize money courtesy of Budweiser (then the title sponsor). The fire for the Hang burned out after two years of intense, sometimes rowdy, competition, but was rekindled in 1994. Then, in 2001, the Horsetooth dams were closed for repairs and the Hang put on hold. In 2005, the Hang rose from the ashes once more, this time taking on a stewardship and community focus. Despite its new, mellower approach, the Hang participants still pull down.

2008 Hang competition results:

• Men’s Recreational: Rudy McEntire
• Men’s Intermediate: Beau Kahler
• Men’s Open: Ian Dory
• Women’s Recreational: Katherine Zaunbrecher
• Women’s Intermediate: Casey Jones
• Women’s Open: Ashley Lloyd
• Youth Recreational: Issac Effner
• Youth Intermediate: Howie Siem
• Youth Open: Josh Youngquist
• Most Trash Collected (men’s): Tony Milkus
• Most Trash Collected (women’s): Elly Czajkowski