More than 140 climbers took part in the Fifth Annual True Penitence climbing festival over the weekend. With intermittent weather delaying the climbing, the sun eventually came out and had climbers back on the slabs and walls of Penitente Canyon in no time.
The event draws climbers from all over the San Luis Valley, Colorado and most of the Southwest, who come to Penitente Canyon to test their mettle on the volcanic tuff.
The climbing fest is put on by the San Luis Valley Climber’s Alliance. Including volunteers and SLVCA members, the number of total attendees was around 170 this weekend, said SLVCA Co-Founder Angela Lee.
Climbers competed by climbing as many routes as possible and keeping score. Penitente Canyon is home to more than 300 established climbing routes from varying class difficulties – everything from 5.6 to 5.12 and up. There are easy climbs and there are intense climbs.
Teams gathered at the routes, some in costumes, most in helmets. The yells of encouragement and of fatigue echoed through the canyon walls. As climbers topped out their routes, their belayers lowered them down and they moved on to the next route, hoping to score as many points as possible.
It’s a premiere climbing fest and its home is in the Valley.
This year’s event was the “biggest yet, hands down!” Lee said.
