The American Alpine Club (AAC) became the new title sponsor of two major climbing festivals in Valdez, Alaska, the Outdoor Industry Association announced on Tuesday in a . The AAC will work with local nonprofit sports commission to host the Valdez Ice Climbing Festival and Valdez Rock Climbing Festival.
The Valdez Ice Climbing Festival is an event for pro and beginner climbers that鈥檚 been taking place聽since 1983;聽the聽Valdez Rock Climbing Festival has been around for two years. Both events include competitions, clinics, film screenings, a bonfire, and more.
鈥淒enali, the Alaska Range, and Wrangells have long been pivotal springboards for cutting-edge alpinism around the world,鈥 Eddie Espinosa, western states manager for the AAC, told the Outdoor Industry Association in the release. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure other climbers, especially in the Northwest Region, will be as eager as I am to check out these events.鈥
聽with a population of聽4,353, located 300 miles east of Anchorage via road, and a destination for heli-skiing, kite-skiing, snowboarding, and more.
The AAC Valdez Ice Climbing Festival will be held February 12 to 15.聽The AAC Valdez Rock Climbing Festival is scheduled for May 27 to 30.