Title Sponsors
Summit Sponsors
Bouldering Comp Sponsor
Slug Fest is BACK and it is going to be bigger and better!
To make this event accessible for everyone, registration is only $30! Registration includes registration swag! It also includes Clinics, Bouldering Comp, shoe/gear demos, yoga, camping, access to vendor village and industry reps, bonfires, trivia, silent auction, and pro-athlete poster signing. Camping on site will be limited to the first 200 people that select camping as part of registration.
We are also stoked that this year will have pro-climbers in attendance teaching clinics, doing a poster signing, and hanging out! As this is a cool opportunity, these are the only clinics with a cost (only $20 to learn from a 5.15 climber!).
This event is a fundraiser to support UP Climbing. In the spirit of a fundraiser, registration is not refundable. If the weather isn't conducive to climbing, we will still have camping, clinics, silent auction, frivolity, and plenty of other activities. We will also have plenty of tarps to make the bouldering wall usable in a moderate rain.
If you register and cannot attend, and if you purchased a shirt or poster, we will be happy to mail them to you (if you cover shipping), or they can be picked up from Down Wind Sports.
You need to register by September 1 for your shirt to be guaranteed ready at Slug Fest registration. Those registering after September 1, may have to receive the shirt by picking it up at a Down Wind Sports location (or you can pay to have it mailed!).
Other things to note:
No RVs. Tents or sprinter vans are okay, and hammocks work great here given wooded but rocky terrain!
Bring your own water!
Stay tuned for an email a week before the event with additional info on directions, parking, and other info!
Tentative Schedule For Slug Fest:
FRIDAY
3PM -6PM Social climb at Slug's Bluff
3PM Bouldering Comp opens for the weekend.
4PM Registration at Slug's Bluff Pavilion
7PM Big Rock Trivia 3 location to be announced
8PM Guaranteed Win Raffle for everyone who participated in Big Rock Trivia!
SATURDAY
8AM Climber Yoga Provided By Yoop Dog Yoga at Slug Overlook
9AM-10AM Demo Shoe Checkout
10AM Morning Half Day (2-3 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
How to Rappel Utilizing Extensions and Backups
Self Rescue
Projecting Boulders (V4+)
10 AM Full Day (5-6 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Women’s Learn to Lead -Full day clinic!
Intro to Sport Climbing 1 -Full day clinic!
Intro to Sport Climbing 2 - Full day clinic!
How to Build Top Rope Anchors
1PM Half Day (2-3 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Installing Mechanical Bolts
Knots and Hitches for Climbers
Improvised Rappels!
4PM-5PM Demo Shoe Returns
6:00PM Climber Social
7:00 -8:00PM Silent Auction Fundraiser for the UPCC
9PM Bonfire Social
10PM Bouldering Comp Winners Announced at Wall
SUNDAY
8AM Climber Yoga Provided By Yoop Dog Yoga
9AM-10AM Demo Shoe Checkout
10AM Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion. Sunday Clinics are about 4-5 hours. (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Sport Anchor Cleaning
Crack Climbing Techniques
Intermediate Sport Climbing Clinic with Petzl Athlete Jon Cardwell
How to Rappel Utilizing Extensions and Backups
How to make anchors with traditional protection
Learn how to belay from above.
Self Rescue
2PM Demo Shoe Return
To make this event accessible for everyone, registration is only $30! Registration includes registration swag! It also includes Clinics, Bouldering Comp, shoe/gear demos, yoga, camping, access to vendor village and industry reps, bonfires, trivia, silent auction, and pro-athlete poster signing. Camping on site will be limited to the first 200 people that select camping as part of registration.
We are also stoked that this year will have pro-climbers in attendance teaching clinics, doing a poster signing, and hanging out! As this is a cool opportunity, these are the only clinics with a cost (only $20 to learn from a 5.15 climber!).
This event is a fundraiser to support UP Climbing. In the spirit of a fundraiser, registration is not refundable. If the weather isn't conducive to climbing, we will still have camping, clinics, silent auction, frivolity, and plenty of other activities. We will also have plenty of tarps to make the bouldering wall usable in a moderate rain.
If you register and cannot attend, and if you purchased a shirt or poster, we will be happy to mail them to you (if you cover shipping), or they can be picked up from Down Wind Sports.
You need to register by September 1 for your shirt to be guaranteed ready at Slug Fest registration. Those registering after September 1, may have to receive the shirt by picking it up at a Down Wind Sports location (or you can pay to have it mailed!).
Other things to note:
No RVs. Tents or sprinter vans are okay, and hammocks work great here given wooded but rocky terrain!
Bring your own water!
Stay tuned for an email a week before the event with additional info on directions, parking, and other info!
Tentative Schedule For Slug Fest:
FRIDAY
3PM -6PM Social climb at Slug's Bluff
3PM Bouldering Comp opens for the weekend.
4PM Registration at Slug's Bluff Pavilion
7PM Big Rock Trivia 3 location to be announced
8PM Guaranteed Win Raffle for everyone who participated in Big Rock Trivia!
SATURDAY
8AM Climber Yoga Provided By Yoop Dog Yoga at Slug Overlook
9AM-10AM Demo Shoe Checkout
10AM Morning Half Day (2-3 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
How to Rappel Utilizing Extensions and Backups
Self Rescue
Projecting Boulders (V4+)
10 AM Full Day (5-6 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Women’s Learn to Lead -Full day clinic!
Intro to Sport Climbing 1 -Full day clinic!
Intro to Sport Climbing 2 - Full day clinic!
How to Build Top Rope Anchors
1PM Half Day (2-3 hours) Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Installing Mechanical Bolts
Knots and Hitches for Climbers
Improvised Rappels!
4PM-5PM Demo Shoe Returns
6:00PM Climber Social
7:00 -8:00PM Silent Auction Fundraiser for the UPCC
9PM Bonfire Social
10PM Bouldering Comp Winners Announced at Wall
SUNDAY
8AM Climber Yoga Provided By Yoop Dog Yoga
9AM-10AM Demo Shoe Checkout
10AM Clinics Meet at UPCC Pavilion. Sunday Clinics are about 4-5 hours. (click HERE for Clinic Descriptions)
Sport Anchor Cleaning
Crack Climbing Techniques
Intermediate Sport Climbing Clinic with Petzl Athlete Jon Cardwell
How to Rappel Utilizing Extensions and Backups
How to make anchors with traditional protection
Learn how to belay from above.
Self Rescue
2PM Demo Shoe Return
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS:
If this is your first time attending Slug Fest, it is a proper festival. It may be crowded; there may be some chaos; and it may be a bit rough around the edges--but that is how we like it. The most important advice: soak it all in and make some new friends. This is our biggest fundraiser, and this event will make it possible for the UPCC to acquire and protect another climbing area. Thanks to all of your support--and our amazing sponsors--we will raise close to $20,000.
DIRECTIONS
Get to the town of Palmer, MI. The Cade, where the after climbing activities take place, is located 103 Snyder St, Palmer, MI 49871. To reach the crag, the approach to the top is in better condition than the bottom. In Palmer, turn onto County Road MB (north of town) and follow the signs! Take MB for about a mile until you reach the powerline. Turn up the powerline to reach Slug Fest. Map Below. If walking from the Cade, head down Isabella Road, and then turn left on County Road MB (you can see the cliff up above). The access trail from the base starts by an old foundation. We will try to have this walking route signed as well. No matter your route, please drive SLOW. There are some obstacles, but more importantly locals live and walk on these roads. We need to be good neighbors.
CAMPING
Slug’s Bluff is not a “campground”. It is a wilderness climbing area. Camping is dispersed in nature. Here are some rules and suggestions: (1) No campers or RVs; (2) Tents and CamperVans are great; (3) Hammocks!!! The nature of the crag and terrain are super conducive to hammock camping. We are past bug season, so consider this option, as you will not need to find flat ground; (4) Do not camp in the vendor area or on roads; (5) We will have rakes available so you can rake out your tent pad; (6) If in doubt, stop and ask in the UPCC Pavillion for some options; and (7) The only fire is the firepit provided by UPCC. Please do not have ground fires in the woods, as fire danger has been high almost this entire season.
BATHROOMS
This year, thanks to Inside Moves Climbing Gym, we have SIX portable toilets. We are located in the middle of a forest, so consider peeing behind a tree to maximize the usable life of the portable toilets! Use the portable toilets for .
WATER
There is no water at Slug’s Bluff. Bring what you need! Same goes for food.
GARBAGE
Leave No Trace. We do have a couple garbage cans. However, you can help by being responsible for your own garbage and cans. Put them in your vehicle and take them with you. That makes our cleanup much easier for our volunteers. Also, for decades, glass was thrown off the top of the cliff, and we pick it up every year. If you see glass, please pick it up and throw it away. Many hands. . . .
PARKING
Carpool if possible! Please. This year, we have added parking on the power line; there are multiple clearings for parking. There is also additional parking on the powerline in areas not cleared, but check for rocks and obstructions before pulling in. If you are not camping at Slug’s, please park here to minimize congestion. From this parking area, it is only a short 4 minute walk to the festival! Photos below. Please park perpendicular to allow as many cars as possible (like the below photo). Additional parking is located at the Cade, which is where evening events are located. It is less than a 1 mile walk from there.
Do not block roads or ORV trails! If camping at Slugs, please do not park where you are blocking roads or trails. You can park in the clearing by the bathrooms, or you can parallel park along the roads up top. If parking is full, please park on the powerline or at the Cade. If in doubt, ask someone in UPCC Pavillion. Do not park directly in front of the pavilion, those spaces are reserved for volunteer guides and event staff.
REGISTRATION
Please check in at the UPCC Pavillion. This is where you will get your swag, and pick up your shirt and poster if you ordered them.
THE CADE
Please!!!!! come support the Cade and the UPCC for Trivia Friday Night and the Silent Auction Saturday Night. Big news this year. . . Unfortunately our friends at the Cade closed their business, which is a bummer. The good news, however, is a community member purchased it, is in the process of remodeling and renaming, and it will be open for Slugs! Let’s give the new restaurant a proper UP welcome by showing up and supporting this business!
POSTER SIGNING
Our amazing sponsor Petzl has arranged for pro climber Jon Cardwell to attend Slug Fest! . Jon is a 5.15 climber, but more importantly he is a good dude! In addition to teaching clinics, climbing, and hanging out with us, he will be signing posters at the CADE Saturday Night!
CLINICS
If you signed up for a clinic, which was made possible by Michigan Ice Fest and volunteer guides, you will meet by UPPC pavilion and meet your guide at the above times. Note, some of the clinics will then caravan to nearby climbing areas for the clinic.
CLIMBING
Slug's has a lot of routes. However, as there will be many climbers, be considerate and share routes! If you want to venture out to nearby crags, Isabella is walking distance, and all the Marquette area crags are 15-20 minutes away. The crag is closed to climbers during the event UNLESS you registered.
A few clinics will utilize routes. If a clinic asks to use a route, please finish up your climb and let the clinic utilize it.
VENDOR VILLAGE
We will have even more companies in the vendor area this year. PLEASE stop by, talk to reps, and SAY THANK YOU for being here! Also, Down Wind Sports will be up top selling climbing gear, and Participants get 20% off! Buy some gear from one of our biggest supporters!
BOULDERING COMP
This year, with the help of Backyard Bouldering, we have a huge bouldering comp wall near the vendor area. Find some time to compete in this lowkey comp and win some prizes!
UPCC and ACCESS FUND MEMBERSHIP
If you aren't already a member, or if it's time to renew, sign up for joint membership with the UPCC and Access Fund here:
https://www.accessfund.org/support-us/joint-membership?form=jointmember&designationId=ECQP5VSZ&utm_source=JM
Once you are a member, you can tell everyone you know that you own part of a climbing area with your friends.
ADDITIONAL INFO
If you don't already, follow us on social media. That is where we will be posting necessary updates, etc.
