This event is by registration only, weather permitting, and open for all queer climbers of any experience and skill levels. We will notify registered climbers as early as possible of any changes. See the bottom of this page for registration information.

Participants are welcome to join us for camping, or camping and climbing.

We have reserved the group site at Blue Mounds State Park for September 13th through the 15th. Join us for two nights of camping, with an optional community-led climbing meetup. Event check-in begins at 6 p.m. on 9/13. The climbing meetup will be on Saturday, 9/14, from 9 to 3. Then, there will be social time from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday will not have any scheduled blocks or events.

This event is not guided, and OutClimb leadership, volunteers, and participants are not guides, certified, or providing any services. Any activity outdoors comes with inherent risk, and it is the participant's responsibility to identify and manage risks.

The climbing meetup is limited to 12 participants and volunteers. However, campers may choose to climb in the area on their own if they wish. The campsite has a limit of 50 people and ten cars.

About Blue Mounds State Park

Blue Mounds State Park contains a large quantity of trad climbing on Sioux Quartzite. The geologic events that created this quartzite are the same that formed the quartzite at Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin. The quartzite has been quarried in the past, and remnants of this activity can be seen in the historic quarry area. There are also bison that graze in the 1,500-acre tall grass prairie. Please do not approach the bison even if the opportunity presents itself.

Climbing Permits & Parking Passes

Climbing permits for MN state parks are free, location-specific, and required for all climbers. These perforated papers must be filled out at the park office, and then the climber’s copy should be carried on your person whenever you are climbing or at the crag.

There is no other option than using the parking lot provided by the state park. The park is surrounded by private property and you will be towed. You will need to purchase a daily or seasonal vehicle permit online or from the park office. Seasonal permits are suitable for all state parks and last for one year after the date of purchase.

Getting there

After stopping at the park office to get a parking pass (and a climbing permit if needed), take a slight left after the office into the group camping area. Be sure to park as tightly as possible. Then, you can head to the registration table, and volunteers will give directions on where to set up. Then, you can begin unloading your vehicle and setting up gear.

Climbing

Community Climbing Meetup

The community climbing meetup will be on Saturday, September 14th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will meet at the group site at 8:45 and organize a carpool to the Climbing Area Parking Lot. You can download and reference the State Park’s Climbing Areas Map for directions. Once we are there, we will reconvene and begin the hike to the crag. If any climbers cannot meet us at the parking lot, it is best they arrange alternative directions ahead of time.

Climbers not participating in the community meetup are welcome to stop by the group site at 8:45 and hear where we plan to be so they can choose how to spend their day.

Climbing Gear

Please inform us during registration if you need a helmet or harness. If you did not do so, please reach out so we know what we need to bring. We have limited quantities of gear to lend, so we may only have gear for some. If you do not have shoes, these must be rented from the University of Minnesota, REI, or local businesses. Please consider renting a helmet and a harness if you need one. It is less than $30 (before tax) to rent a pair of shoes, a helmet, and a harness from the UofM for the entire weekend.

• Shoes are highly recommended to get full enjoyment from the trip. We strongly suggest renting shoes if you do not own shoes because these can be much more climber-specific than harnesses and helmets.

• Helmets will be required at all times near the base of the climb, including when typing in. If you do not own a helmet we will have two for people to use, but they get sweaty so please consider renting one, or bring a bandana to use on the inside of the helmet if you desire.

• Harnesses are required for climbing and are in short supply. We have a few for people to use but if you have your own, are able to rent, or can borrow one from a friend this is recommended.

What to bring Climbing

Pack for a day hike, and bring all your climbing stuff (chalk, shoes, harness, helmet, quickdraws, rope, etc.). Bring a large water bottle and lunch. There is no option to refill bottles at the crag. We suggest bringing at least 2L for a single person; a refilled 2L soda bottle could work well. Other recommendations include Sunglasses that you can get dirty, a sweat towel/bandana, hand sanitizer, insect repellant, sunscreen, extra snacks, and sandals to lounge in.

Camping

We have reserved a group site. This allows us to park multiple cars and use more than 1 tent. You can reach out if you have any questions about how to camp. Please note the UofM and REI rent camping equipment as well as climbing gear. You may also self organize to share gear with other campers such as tents or extra sleeping bags. You can read this helpful article about what to consider for the trip. Even if you don’t plan to share a tent with other climbers, consider bringing foam ear plugs for the night as the group site is located near the entrance to the park.

Check in Begins Friday at 6:00 pm. You will check in at the welcome table and then you will be directed to set up in the designated area. Check out is at 10am on 9/15 and will not be extended. So all gear must be removed before this time.

You are also welcome to reserve a private site at Blue Mounds State Park. There are also teepees available to rent. You will be welcome to join us at the group site from any time outside of quiet hours if you choose to do this. We ask that you still register for the event so that way we know to expect you and what you plan to participate in.

If you wish to camp in your vehicle you may, however RV’s, Trailers, Ambulances, School Buses and other oversized vehicles will not be allowed at the group site. This prohibition does not include vans that are designed to hold 14 passengers or less.

Volunteering

We will need help with a few things. Listed below are the times and titles of various shifts that we will need help with. Please register for shifts here

Camp setup - Set up the community shelters and equipment.

• Friday 9/13 4-6pm: 4 campers

Check in Table - Check in campers and direct them to the tent area

• Friday 9/13 6-8pm: 2 campers

Breakfast Duty - Cook, serve, and clean up to help provide campers a delicious start to the day. 

• Saturday 9/14 7-8am: 4 campers 

• Sunday 9/15 7-8am: 4 campers 

Dinner Duty - Cook, Serve, and Cleanup to dish a delectable dinner to campers.

• Saturday 9/14 5:30-6pm: 4 campers

Break Down & Cleanup - Breakdown community shelters and sweep the camp for litter and lost gear

• Sunday 9/15 10-11am: 4 campers

Food

We will be providing breakfast Saturday & Sunday morning, and dinner Saturday night. Climbers & Campers will be responsible for their own lunches and snacks and dinner Friday night. We suggest stopping on the way or bringing something cold to eat.

• Breakfast - a trio of sweet potato black bean tacos

• Dinner - a Tex Mex tomato stew

All meals provided will be a vegan base that can be prepared without any of the 9 major allergens. Optional toppings and garnishes will be kept in a separate space. We may use ingredients that were prepared or processed by the manufacturer in an environment where cross contamination is possible. We will keep all food packaging for your reference.

It is very important that you accurately fill out the allergen and dietary section of the registration form. This will ensure that we can do our best to provide a community meal that all participants can enjoy.

Alcohol, THC and other Intoxicating Substances

Before and during climbing events and on the group site; we will not be permitting alcohol, smoking, or vaping of any kind. We would also like to remind you it is illegal to consume or display intoxicating liquors in MN state parks. We also will not allow the consumption of any intoxicating substances before or during the climbing portions of the event.

Driving, Vehicles and Carpooling

There will be no official carpool to this location. We do encourage climbers to self organize as it is a long drive (almost 4 hours) and there are only 12 parking spaces for campers. The best place to do this is our Discord Server.

Registration

Registration closes Thursday September 4th. Participants may register for either Camping or Camping and Climbing if they wish to participate in the community led meetup on Sat 09/14.