
Ogden Climbing Festival 2023
Mark your calendars for April 14-16
Enjoy clinics, vendors, crate stacking, climbing comp, and more!
The Weber State University Outdoor Program is proud to host the Ogden Climbing Festival. The Ogden Climbing Festival is the premier climbing event in the region and brings together climbers from all climbing disciplines to introduce them to the best of Ogden, Utah.
The OCF boasts three days of incredible events from educational climbing clinics for all abilities, stewardship and service opportunities, climbing competitions, and inspiring keynote speakers. The OCF brings together climbers, educators, retailers, and top companies to carry on the rich climbing tradition of Ogden, Utah.
Even though it feels like OCF15 just happened...because it did, we could not be more excited to host the 16th annual Ogden Climbing Festival at its normal time! Join us on April 14 - 16th 2023 for CLINICS, vendors, crate stacking, climbing comps, and more.
Check our clinic schedule HERE
Connect with #OCF16
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email: amyknight1@weber.edu
Events for Friday, April 14
Crate Stacking
When: 4 - 6 p.m.
Where: Ramp Technical Training Center (WSU Outdoor Adventure and Welcome Center) - 1352 Village Dr, Ogden, UT 84408
Price: Free (no registration required)
Where's Waldo Golden Egg Scavenger Hunt
When: Monday, April 10 - Friday, April 14
Where: Ogden, UT
Price: Free (no registration required)
Find the golden egg! Golden eggs will be placed on some of Ogden's most iconic climbing routes, once you find an egg turn it in at Weber State's Outdoor Program for your prize!
Opening Speaker
Who: Apa Sherpa
When: 6 - 9 p.m. (Food Trucks & Raffle starts at 6 p.m., and the speaker starts at 7 p.m.)
Where: Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, UT 84401
Price: Standard Entry: $15/Premium Entry: $30
Apa Sherpa
Apa was born with the name Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa in Thame, a village in the Everest region of Nepal. At the age of 3 months, he and his mother were caught in an avalanche and Lhakpa was thrown from the basket on his mother’s back and came to rest under an ice ledge. After his mother found him unhurt, she took him to the Lama to pray and give thanks. It was at this point that Lhakpa was renamed “Apa” which means much "much loved". Apa always wanted to be a doctor, but his dreams were shattered when at the age of 12 his father died. Following his father’s death, Apa had to take up the responsibilities of his family, consisting of his mother, two sisters, and three younger brothers. He dropped out of school and started working as a porter for mountaineering groups. His climbing career began in 1985, when he worked as a kitchen boy and porter for various groups but was not given the opportunity to reach the summit until 1990. He continued to climb and summited Everest 21 times which gave him the world record for most summits. He held the world record until 2018 when it was surpassed by a fellow climber from Thame. Apa was a successful guide, never losing a client to the mountain. In 1996 Apa was asked to join Rob Hall on the infamous expedition that turned to tragedy. Apa's wife needed him to stay home during that time to finish construction on their home. Had it not been for her, his fate could have turned out differently. Today Apa is retired and is focused on giving back to his homeland. In 2012 he started The Apa Sherpa Foundation with a focus on educating young Sherpa children so that they have a choice for their future endeavors. In Apa's famous words, "Without an education, we have no choice."
Keynote Speaker
Who: Phil Henderson
When: 6 - 9 p.m. (Food Trucks & Raffle starts at 6 p.m., and the speaker starts at 7 p.m.)
Where: Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, UT 84401
Price: Standard Entry: $15/Premium Entry: $30
This year's speaker is hosted by Weber State University and will feature prize giveaways, food trucks, and games. Come early to get your raffle ticket and some delicious grub!
Phil Henderson
A native of California, Philip started his outdoor career almost 30 years ago. His passion for recreation, education, and climbing has provided him with opportunities to travel, climb and ski around the world. Over the past two and half decades he has spent hours volunteering for many youth programs in the US, exposing young people from around the country to the power of nature. Phil has been instrumental in teaching mountain skills and training guides and porters around Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, and Chile as well as encouraging, inspiring, and mentoring many more people to get outside. Philip now spends his free time skiing and biking in southwest Colorado where he lives with his wife and daughter.
- NOLS employee and instructor, 1994-2016
- Member of the North Face/National Geographic Everest Education Expedition, 2012
- Denali 2005 & 2013
- Numerous training mission in Nepal
- Led the first All African American climb or Mt Kilimanjaro, 2018
- Recipient of the Outdoor Afro Lifetime Achievement Award, 2020
- Expedition Leader of Full Circle Everest Expedition, 2022
- First All Black team in history to summit Mt Everest.
Events for Saturday, April 15
Citizens Climbing Competition
When: Saturday, April 15 | 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Awards & Raffle start at 4:30 p.m.)
Where: Ramp Technical Training Center (WSU Outdoor Adventure and Welcome Center), 1352 Village Dr, Ogden, UT 84408
Price: General Public/WSU Faculty & Staff: $35 | WSU Student: $25
Who can compete? Anyone And Everyone! No Matter The Skill Level Everyone Is Welcome. Every Competitor Will Be Entered Into A Raffle To Win Sweet Swag From Our Sponsors! Check Out Our Sponsors Below!
Categories: Recreational: V0 - V3 | Intermediate: V4-V6 | Advanced: V7+
Format: Redpoint
Climbing Time:
Session 1
- Check-in: 9:30 a.m.
- Climbing: 10 a.m. - Noon
Session 2
- Check-in: 11:30 a.m.
- Climbing: Noon - 2 p.m.
Session 3
- Check-in: 1:30 p.m.
- Climbing: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Vendors:
COMP RESULTS 2023
Check our clinic schedule HERE
REACH Event - Family Diabetes Day Camp
REACH Weber offers a variety of free camps on campus as a recreation education service supporting our community of youth with diabetes and their families.
Events for Sunday, April 16
Clinics
Check out clinic schedule here: https://weber.edu/ogdenclimbingfestival/clinics.html
Keynote Event Food Trucks & Raffle
OCF16 Event Hosts
2023 Sponsors
Interested in becoming an OCF Sponsor? Reach out to Amy at amyknight1@weber.edu
Mt. Ogden Peak
Ben Lomond Peak