American Alpine Club's Craggin' Classic Comes to Index on September 10, 2011
8/17/11 – The American Alpine Club’s flagship Craggin’ Classic climbing festival
expands to the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the first year of a land purchase that
saved one of America’s most historic climbing areas from private development.
This one-day festival at Index will feature notable Northwest athletes mingling with
local climbers during the day in the newly-created park, climbing shoe demos, clinics
and finish with free food, beer and music in the evening. Guided top ropes will be set
up on a few difficult climbs so beginners can get a taste of Index’s well-deserved
reputation as a very challenging area. There will also be a slideshow presented by New
Zealand’s Alpinist of the Year (and NW native) Graham Zimmerman in the Outdoor
Adventure Center.
The American Alpine Club launched its new five-year strategic plan at the beginning of
this year with a focus on delivering the AAC’s message of uniting climbers at a more
regional level. The Craggin’ Classic at Index is an example of this mission getting
kickstarted in the Pacific Northwest.
About The American Alpine Club: The American Alpine Club provides knowledge and inspiration, conservation and
advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community. The AAC advocates for
American climbers domestically and around the world; provides grants and volunteer
opportunities to protect and conserve the places we climb; hosts local and national
climbing festivals and events; publishes two of the world’s most sought-after climbing
annuals, The American Alpine Journal and Accidents in North American
Mountaineering; cares for the world’s leading climbing library and country’s leading
mountaineering museum; manages the Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch as part of a
larger lodging network for climbers; and annually gives $80,000+ toward climbing,
conservation, and research grants to adventurers who travel the world. Learn about
additional programs and become a member at americanalpineclub.org.
