WELCOME TO THE 6TH ANNUAL BOX CANYON CLIMBING COMPETITION!

The Box Canyon Climbing Competition is an annual event that gathers climbers from around the Southwest to promote the responsible use of the beautiful Box Canyon, public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This event encourages climbers of all ages and ability to enjoy an outdoor competition in a responsible and ethical way.

*** This event will occur rain or shine! There will be no refunds for bad weather.



*** Competitors coming from out of town can tent/car camp at the Box Canyon for free. There are also several hotels in Socorro.

_________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE

------ FRIDAY MARCH 29 ------

6:30pm

REEL Rock Film Showing @ 101 Workman bldg on NMT campus

(doors open at 6:00pm)

Raffle during intermission

------ SATURDAY MARCH 30 ------

7:00am - 9:00am

Registration @ Box Canyon

8:00am - 4:00pm

Bouldering/Sport Comp @ Box Canyon

4:30pm

Last call for scorecards!

5:00pm

Dinner

(delicious food tailored to attendee requests)

(check Facebook for updates)

6:00pm

Awards + raffle (for both competitions)

8:00pm

Campfire fun!

------ SUNDAY MARCH 31 ------

10:00am

Core + stretch course by Hans Florine @ NMT Gymnasium

3:00pm

Presentation + book signing by Hans Florine @ 101 Workman Building

_________________________________________________________________________________

TICKETS

We are selling tickets online, instead of the day of the event. The New Mexico Tech Climbing Club has fundraised all year and worked hard to keep this comp going and to make prices as low as possible

*** New Mexico Tech Students must register through the Climbing Club. Contact nmtclimbingclub@gmail.com for more information.

Competitor

Includes climbing film showing, comp registration, comp T-shirt, catered dinner on comp day, raffle entry.

*** Competitors wanting to compete in sport climbing comp must participate in a team of 2. Only one teammate needs to register, but must purchase both tickets and provide information for both competitors. Each team member will receive the included items.

*** Competitors may compete in either the sport or bouldering competitions. However, since the competition is only one day, competitors may not compete in both competitions.

Spectator

Includes climbing film showing + raffle entry, catered dinner on comp day, raffle entry.

*** Additional raffle tickets may be purchased at each of the raffle events. Prices are $3 for 1, $5 for 2, $10 for 5.

_________________________________________________________________________________

2019 BOX CANYON CLIMBING COMP: THE RULES

WARNING: ROCK CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS!

PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITIONS AND EVENT ACTIVITIES ARE VOLUNTARY. ANY RISK TAKEN IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON/S TAKING IT. SOME AREAS LISTED IN COMPETITIONS REQUIRE COMPETENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE AREA. EVENT ORGANIZERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE COMPETENCE OR SOUND DECISION MAKING OF PARTICIPANTS WITH REGARD TO ANY EVENT OR ACTIVITY LISTED OR DESCRIBED HERE.

SPORT CLIMBING COMP

The BC3 Sport Climbing Event is a team event! Points are given for leading a route clean. The top 6 routes on lead of each team will be calculated for their score (The century event is differently scored, see below). It is up to the team to decide how many routes each team member climbs. This means a team score could have just one team member climbing all 6 routes, each team member climbing 3 routes each, or any other combination. This competition is meant to highlight the team aspect and it doesn't matter what role you play in the team, every member is valuable! We also do not break up this competition by gender, everyone is on the same level. We commend and praise the climbers, partners, belayers and everything in between!

Teammates do not have to climb the exact same routes, but will only get points for lines that they climb. No route can be repeated by an individual, however, both team members can lead and count the same route. The team category is based on the team member in the higher climbing category. Individual scores will be tallied as a team total.

Teams will consist of two climbers, no "solo" climbers. Team members will belay each other, no outside help with belaying. Team members are responsible for their own gear. It is great to have a support team, but the team has to be self-sufficient. Teams will need to come up with a unique name. If not, a team name will be assigned.

TEAM CATEGORIES

Beginner (5.5 - 5.9)

Intermediate (5.5 - 5.11a)

Advanced (5.5 - 5.12d)

Monster (5.5 - 5.14+)

Century (as many routes as you can climb!, see below for specific instructions)

Categories are based on your best redpoint level. For example, if you have ever redpointed a 5.11a then you are an advanced climber. Do not register Intermediate. You are allowed to climb routes rated below your division category. However, you will not be allowed to climb any routes above your entered division. We repeat, you are not allowed to climb any routes that are a harder grade than your entered division. See below for category scale, based upon your best redpoint.

Unbalanced ability teams are allowed (Intermediate and Advanced, etc.). A 5.7 climber can team up with a 5.13 climber and make a team. Teams with unbalanced abilities will be considered as the team member with the higher ability (a team with an Intermediate and an Advanced member will be considered as an Advanced Team).



BASIC RULES

You must sign a waiver to compete! Competition begins at 8:00 am. Leaving trash behind or walking off trail could result in disqualification! Be safe, be careful, have fun, climb hard! Notify volunteers if an injury occurs. Ends at 4 PM. Scorecards must be in by 4:30 PM at the main parking lot! No exceptions!

SCORING

Top roping your teammates lead does not count for points. Points are given for clean lead ascents only.

LEAD: A successful "lead" is starting at the bottom, clipping gear along the way, and arriving at the anchors with no FALLS, no HANGS, and no PULLING ON GEAR. If you fall or hang on gear, lower down and climb back up to your high point in "yo-yo" style, then continue on. CLIMBERS MUST CLIP BOTH ANCHORS/BINERS AT TOP OF ROUTE TO LOWER ON. Stick clipping up to the second bolt is allowed, but nothing above the 2nd bolt. Anyone observed endangering themselves or others by climbing like an idiot will be disqualified. Simply put - climb in a way that respects others, and protect yourself from the unknown broken holds, protection failure, or purposeful runouts. For each completed route please have your teammate sign off on. Turn this scorecard in either by 4:30pm to volunteers at the main Box Canyon parking lot (by Waterfall).

Points for each route will be on the scorecard.



*** Please be polite and step aside if another team is waiting for the route. If you and your partner do a lap and decide to take a quick break before you start the second, then the next team in line is allowed to jump in….if they have their shoes on and are tied in. In addition, you are not technically in line for a route if you are currently climbing a different route. In other words, you cannot reserve routes in advance. Be considerate of others when out there. Be efficient for yourselves but also for others who are waiting. If one team member is injured, or refuses to continue, individuals are allowed to roam and catch belays at their own risk to maintain their individual score. Please consult with event coordinators if you choose to do this, and do not ask a volunteer for a belay.

NOTES

Some volunteers will be wearing VOLUNTEER shirts. Look for them if you have questions or need help. Or ask any locals.

Turn in your scorecard even if you do not expect to place. We will raffle off a few items using the scorecards at the end of comp day (during the award ceremony)!

HEALTH AND SAFETY

We cannot stress enough that Risk Reduction is of utmost importance. Don't be stupid. Take a rest if you need one. Double, triple, and quadruple check each other's knots, belays, systems. MAKE IT A HABIT ON EVERY ROUTE.

We want everyone to climb at their best, but do not go past your ability! Routes at Box Canyon can be chossy, spacing between bolts may be run out and there may be bad falls. Box Canyon is also known to be “hard for the grade”. Not all routes have drop ins or lower offs. You need be able to clean routes. If you haven’t climbed at Box Canyon before, be cautious and be on the safe side. DO YOUR RESEARCH before climbing any route! Check Mountain Project for beta and information. Talk to your friends!

Please remember that this comp is based on the honor system and we have created the event that requires honesty from all. It is not fair if you climb in a category that is below your highest level.

THE CENTURY SPORT EVENT

Are you more into endurance than climbing the hardest possible routes? In the Century Sport Event, each teammates climbs as many routes of any grade. There are not sub categories or different levels within in the Century. Everyone competes on the same level and all routes are open, so you can climb at any grade! See what you can do!! Add up total point values.

BOULDERING COMP

The BC3 Bouldering competition will hold the same rules as in the past five years. You climb a problem and top it out (unless the problem does not have a topout). If you fall on a problem, that must be noted on your scorecard. If you complete a problem have a witness sign off on it, including the number of falls if there were any.

BASIC RULES

You must sign a waiver to compete! Competition begins at 8:00 am. Leaving trash behind or walking off trail could result in disqualification! Be safe, be careful, have fun, climb hard! Notify volunteers if an injury occurs Ends at 4 PM. Scorecards must be in by 4:30 PM at Waterfall parking lot! No exceptions!

CATEGORIES



Beginner (V0 - V2)

Intermediate (V0 - V5)

Advanced (V0 - V8)

Monster (V0 - V∞)

Century (as many problems as you can climb!)

Youth (under 12 yrs)

SCORING

Enter the number of falls taken on each problem (0 or F for flash). Please have a witness sign beside # of falls line.

Enter your top 6 climbs on the back and total your score, unless you are trying for the century. Please turn in this scorecard by 5:00 pm to volunteers at the main Box Canyon parking lot (by Waterfall). "Sandbaggers" will be bumped up to their appropriate category!

NOTES

Some volunteers will be wearing VOLUNTEER shirts. Look for them if you have questions or need help. Or ask any locals.

Turn in your scorecard even if you do not expect to place. We will raffle off a few items using the scorecards at the end of comp day (during the award ceremony)!

HEALTH AND SAFETY

We want everyone to climb at their best, but be aware of potential hazards! Problems at Box Canyon are very well developed, but there is potential for bad falls on some problems. Protect your landings with pads and spotters. Box Canyon is also known to be “hard for the grade”. Keep this in mind if you extend past your comfort zone. If you feel as if the problem is too much, lower back down and drop to a pad if at a safe height. If you haven’t climbed at Box Canyon before, be cautious and be on the safe side. Check Mountain Project for beta and information. Talk to your friends!

Please remember that this comp is based on the honor system and we have created the event that requires honesty from all. It is not fair if you climb in a category that is below your highest level.

THE CENTURY BOULDERING EVENT

Are you more into endurance than climbing the hardest possible problems? In the Century Bouldering Event, an individual climbs as many problems of any grade. There are not sub categories or different levels within in the Century. Everyone competes on the same level and all problems are open, so you can climb at any grade! See what you can do!! Add up total point values.



SPECTATOR/SUPPORT TEAM ESSAY CONTEST

Did you come to watch climbers push themselves and climb hard all day? We know that can be hard work staring at all the dirty climbers and dealing with the smell! Or, are you a dedicated support team to your friends or family? Carrying all the snacks and beverages and not getting any gratitude?! Why don’t you get anything for all your hard work? Well, you can! You will have a chance to enter our special essay contest only for spectators or support team members! Tell us about your time at the comp and have a chance to win a prize! Rules and information at the day of the competition.

_________________________________________________________________________________

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There are a few options for parking: Box Canyon's main parking lot when entering off of HWY 60 at The Box sign, a small parking lane in South Box which you get to by turning at The Box sign and continuing past the main parking lot, and parking near Spook Wall, which you get to by turning off HWY 60 before you reach The Box sign. We will have volunteers directing traffic in Box Canyon's main parking lot and parking areas in South Box.

What can I bring into the event?

Food, water, proper outdoor clothing, friends and family! If you are camping you probably want camping essentials too... unless you want to tough it out.

Can any climber of any ability compete?

Yes! We encourage all climbers of different climbing abilities to compete. For each competition we have categories ranging from Beginner all the way to Monster level.

If none of those suits your fancy, try the Century! You can climb as many routes and/or problems (of any grade) as possible and tally up all the points. It's a different way of competing!

What about the weather?

Unless there are significant risks and hazards that come from bad weather, we will climb rain or shine! There will be no refunds for bad weather. Sorry.

*** Still have questions? Please contact nmtclimbingclub@gmail.com