Climb Yukon is hosting its annual fall climbing competition in Whitehorse on Nov. 26 at the Porter Creek Secondary School bouldering gym.
Per a Nov. 21 statement by the Climb Yukon Association, the competition is open to interested climbers of all skill levels. It will feature multiple categories and prizes donated from Yukon Built, Yukon Brewing, Coast Mountain Sports, and other local Yukon businesses.
Registration for the competition is ongoing until Nov. 24.
“This event is always fun for both our youth and adults,” Sara Bradley, president of the association, said in the statement. “Our upcoming facility, set to open in the fall of 2025, has been carefully designed to accommodate international competitions in the future. In the meantime, volunteer-run events like this play a pivotal role in maintaining the vibrancy and growth of our climbing community.”
The competition, typically held in October every year, was delayed by a month due to gym availability.
The statement noted that the event has become a staple in the fall sports scene in the Yukon, with previous highlights including a guest visit from Canadian Olympic climber Alannah Yip, ever-growing youth interest and participation, and the introduction of the first-ever non-binary category in a Climbing Escalade Canada-sanctioned event.
Climb Yukon is hopeful that chillier temperatures outside, and another month removed from the outdoor climbing season, means a robust and excited participant turnout, according to the statement.
Gerard Garnier, head coach of Climb Yukon’s youth programs, is quoted in the statement as saying that the competition is an opportunity for his young athletes to put early season training into practice as they prepare themselves for competitions outside the territory.
“These local competitions are a great opportunity for our more experienced climbers to prepare themselves for out-of-territory competitions. For our newer climbers, they get to sample what a climbing competition is like being in a fun, low-stress environment.”
Contact Patrick Egwu at patrick.egwu@yukon-news.com
