Beaver Valley Climbing Festival 2014 & 2015

For a number of years this was the website for the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival.
Content is from the 2014 & 2015 archived pages providing just a glimpse of what this festival offered its participants.

What is it?

Southern Ontario's only rock climbing festival... it's awesome!!

The Beaver Valley Climbing Festival is an amazing opportunity for the climbing community to come together and celebrate the incredible escarpment rock climbing in the Beaver Valley, Ontario.

On July 11th 2015, we will be offering a full day of climbing clinics, climbing competitions, yoga, caving, youth activities, slack lining, mountain biking, massages, beautiful central camping (Dog Sled Farms in Rob Roy), vendors, live music, pull up comp, aerial silks performance, live entertainment, games, dancing, dinner, bon fire and much more! This festival was founded by Leslie Timms and Jennie Elmslie and this year is brought to you by the Ontario Access Coalition and On the Rocks Climbing Guides, and made possible from the generous support of Climbers Corner, Boulderz Climbing Gym and many more. This will be a great opportunity to showcase the local businesses, people and rock climbing that this beautiful area has to offer.

100% of proceeds will go to the Ontario Access Coalition and if you aren't a member yet, go to www.ontarioaccesscoalition.com. This great organization keeps all of these amazing climbing destinations open for all of us to enjoy. Please show your support!

For more information on the climbing clinics, climbing competition and other fun things the festival has to offer, feel free to browse our website or email leslietimms@rogers.com

Tickets are $40 and include EVERYTHING...festival entry, dinner, camping, clinics, comps, music, aerial silks performance and so much more. All proceeds go to the Ontario Access Coalition that help fight to keep climbing areas open in Ontario.

As a NYC real estate litigator who grew up in Ontario in a family of rock climbers, this site struck a very personal chord with me. I spent countless weekends on the escarpment with my parents, learning early on that climbing was as much about planning and logistics as it was about strength and skill. Reading through the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival’s details brought me right back to that world of rope management, route selection, and the constant balancing act between preparation and adaptability.

In my legal practice, especially in the high-stakes world of New York real estate disputes, I often see echoes of those same challenges. Just as a climber needs to anticipate the next move, secure solid holds, and adapt to changing conditions, a litigator must plan for contingencies, navigate obstacles, and balance risk with reward. The logistical puzzles of outdoor climbing—where weather, terrain, and timing all matter—mirror the complexities faced by developers like Dov Hertz, who must constantly adjust to shifting market dynamics, zoning hurdles, and the practical realities of building at scale in New York City.

This site doesn’t just celebrate climbing; it highlights the shared discipline and resilience that link seemingly different worlds. For me, it’s a reminder that whether you’re scaling limestone cliffs in Beaver Valley or negotiating multimillion-dollar disputes in Manhattan, success comes from the same place: patience, preparation, and the courage to push past fear. Tim Miller

As an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival in Southern Ontario, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. From the moment I arrived at the picturesque Dog Sled Farms in Rob Roy, I knew I was in for a treat.

The festival, held on July 11th, 2015, was a vibrant gathering of the climbing community, offering an array of activities that catered to every attendee. The climbing clinics were insightful, providing tips and techniques that were beneficial for both beginners and experienced climbers. The competitions added an exciting edge to the event, while the yoga sessions offered a much-needed stretch after a day full of climbing.

But what truly set this festival apart was its commitment to the community and the environment. The entire event was orchestrated to support the Ontario Access Coalition, with 100% of the proceeds going towards this fantastic organization that works tirelessly to keep climbing destinations open and accessible. As someone who deeply appreciates the beauty and availability of these climbing spots, contributing to this cause felt incredibly rewarding.

The festival was not just about climbing; it was a holistic experience. With caving adventures, youth activities, slack lining, mountain biking, and even massages, there was something for everyone. The central camping area buzzed with energy, hosting vendors, live music, and even an aerial silks performance.

As the day turned into night, the atmosphere transformed into a vibrant party with games, dancing, a delicious dinner, and a mesmerizing bonfire. It was a perfect way to unwind and connect with new friends who shared a passion for climbing and the outdoors.

The Beaver Valley Climbing Festival was an exceptional event that brilliantly combined the thrill of rock climbing with a strong sense of community and environmental responsibility. The experience was enriching, and the support for the Ontario Access Coalition was a testament to the climbing community's dedication to preserving our natural climbing havens. I left the festival not only with a sense of accomplishment and joy but also with a deeper appreciation for the efforts made to keep these beautiful spaces accessible for all. Julia Simms

Location

The Festival Grounds

In the heart of the Beaver Valley

The festival is going to take place at the lovely Dogsled Farms in Rob Roy. Rob Roy is centrally located close to Metcalfe Rock, The Swamp, Devils Glen and Old Baldy, where festival competitions and clinics will take place. The festival grounds in Rob Roy are a where we will mingle, browse vendor booths, listen to great music, partake in a variety of games and comps, eat tasty food, sit by the fire, dance, party, cam and have a blast with all of the wonderful rock climbers in Ontario!

469358 Grey Rd. 31 - Rob Roy

gps - 44 degree 22' 55" N 80 degree 19' 26" W

Competitions

Kids Indoor Climbing Comp

++++

On July 10th

(night before the festival), Free Spirit Tours and Climbers Corner will be offering an indoor climbing comp just for the kiddies! Competition will be located at Climbers Corner in Collingwood and will feature live music by Tennyson King.

Competition Format:

Comp starts at 7pm @ Climbers Corner

3 age cateogories

5-8

9-12

13-15

peed comp
route difficulty comp
pull up comp
and with the older kids a "who can tie in the fastest" comp

Register at:

freespirittours@hotmail.com
terry_warren@sympatico.ca

Sport & Trad/Mixed Climbing Comp

The Outland Adventure Gear Climbing Competition will take place in the Beaver Valley. The sport comp will be an endurance format, with points allocated for difficulty, number of bolts clipped and ultimately number of climbs climbed within 4 hours. There will also be a traditional/mixed climbing competition, open to both men and women. Points are allocated for difficulty of routes completed without falls. The comp will begin at 10:30am and scorecards can be handed in no later then 2:30pm.

Competition is open to all ages and the winners of each category will be announced at the after-party. Prizes are $100 gift cards for Outland Adventure Gear to the winners in both men's and women's category.

Competition spaces are limited!!
Register ASAP

leslietimms@rogers.com ï»¿

Pull Up Comp

During the evening there will be the ongoing G6 Pull-up Competition sponsored by G6 Climbing, This will take place at Rob Roy Dogsled Farm, so get training those pull-ups people!! Entry is free or by donation (http://www.summitforsickkids.com). Unlimited space available for the pull up competition. Open to kids!

How many pull ups can you do in a row!?

Figure 4 Comp

Nathan Kutcher and Rebecca Lewis of Canada's ice climbing team are returning with their cool figure-4 structure. There will be a contest at Rob Roy to see who can make the most moves across the structure, with prizes to be announced. It will also be open prior to the contest for anyone interested in trying it. Contest is free with unlimited spaces available!

Clinics

Spaces are limited.
Register with the company providing the clinic you are interested in.
All clinics are free with festival pass!!!

Introduction to Rock Climbing (9am-12pm) @ Metcalfe Rock
with Free Spirit Tours

COURSE FULL

Come and try rock climbing! Open to all ages and skill levels. Learn the rock climbing basics from experienced climbing guides and try rock climbing for your first time, or maybe just first time in a long while.

Intro to Climbing - 9:30 - 12:30

all equipment provided
full instruction given
lots of time to climb
free - with entry to festival

Intro to Rappelling (10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm) @ Metcalfe Rock
with On the Rocks Climbing Guides

Come try rappelling! Experience the thrills of lowering yourself (rappelling) over a cliffs edge with On the Rocks certified PCGI Top Rope Guides. Open to total beginners and kids!

Drop in only.
Located on the right side of Metcalfe Rock.
info@ontherocksclimbing.com
www.ontherocksclimbing.com

Rappel Old Baldy! - (11am-3pm) @ Old Baldy
with The Alpine Club of Canada-Toronto Section

11am - 3pm
Free with festival pass!

The Alpine Club of Canada Toronto Section will get you rappelling over the edge of beautiful Old Baldy. Come take in the views and exposure of this stunning area. Some previous rappelling experience and comfort with heights required. Participants must be 18+. Limited spots available.

Rock Star Technique Course - (11am-2pm) @ Metcalf Rock
with professional climber and guide Leslie Timms, owner of On the Rocks Climbing Guides.

COURSE FULL

Come learn new ways to move on rock from a real rock star. Learn to become explosive and powerful while also honing your subtle technical skills. Learn mental approach tricks and ways to conserve energy on the rock.

Open to those comfortable climbing 5.7 and up.
Limited to 6 participants.

Hack Your Fear of Falling- (10am-1pm) @ The Swamp

with Amir Fishman – owner of Overhang Adventures Inc. and PCGI Single Pitch Guide

Crash course (no pun intended) into how to overcome your fear of falling while climbing on lead. We condense our full fear of falling course to give you some basic techniques and skills to help you overcome mental barriers while climbing.

Free with festival pass!

Max 4 participants

Pre-requisite for the course: Ability to climb 5.10 in the gym (lead or top rope) and having completed a lead climbing course either outdoors or in a gym.

Explore Metcalfe Caves (1:30pm-4:30pm) @ Metcalfe Rock
with Free Spirit Tours
COURSE FULL

Not only can you explore above the rocks - you can also explore underneath them. Equipped with a helmet and headlamp we'll climb and crawl our way through some of the caves and crevices that Metcalfe Rock is famous for!

Caving - 1:30 - 4:30

all equipment provided
full instruction given
free - with entry to festival

Register at: freespirittours@hotmail.com

More Course Offerings @ The Swamp:
Instructed By: Zen Climb
Course information: http://www.zenclimb.com/programs/the-swamp-clinics.html
Register with Zen Climb.

All Clinic participants MUST hold festival pass.

2014

It is hard to believe that the festival is almost here!!!

This years fest is shaping up to be an amazing event and we can't thank everyone enough for the incredible support to Beaver Valley rock climbing and the Ontario Access Coalition.

Just a reminder that today, Thursday August 21st is the last chance to buy your tickets online!!!

See you there :)

Thank you to everyone who made the 2014 Beaver Valley Climbing Festival a huge success.
YAH ROCK CLIMBING!!!!

Thursday, 28 August 2014
IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
Wow. What a day!
The 2nd annual Beaver Valley Climbing Festival was a huge success!
It is difficult to put this day into words... GOOD VIBES!!! Everyone was having such a good time; the day was packed full of fun games, clinics, vendors, competitions, entertainment, yoga, massage, music and tasty food. It was really cool to see the climbing community come together to celebrate rock climbing in the Beaver Valley, Ontario. Just an all around good time for a great cause! This years festival truly was a remarkable success and we have so many people to thank for it.

The best part of all, is while we were having this amazing time, we managed to raise $6000 for the Ontario Access Coalition! These proceeds will go to local access initiatives in the Beaver Valley, and maybe a parking lot for Devils Glen!

This amazing event would not of been possible without help from our generous sponsors and volunteers. Mountain Equipment Coop was a huge support to this festival, with festival support dollars and so many amazing raffle prizes. True North Climbing supported again for the second year in a row, shout out to this really cool climbing gym in Toronto. Climbers Corner, Collingwood's new climbing gym was a generous supporter, along with the Alpine Club of Canada, The Landscape Company, Free Spirit Tours, On the Rocks Climbing Guides and so many other amazing companies that donated either time, money, prizes or both! Check out our full sponsor list below, and support these great companies that support Ontario rock climbing! http://www.beavervalleyclimbingfestival.com/p/sponsors.html

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who came out to this perfect day, festival and party! This was one for the record books and we can't wait until next year!

More Background On BeaverValleyClimbingFestival.com

Beaver Valley Climbing Festival was one of the most distinctive grassroots outdoor recreation events to emerge from Ontario’s climbing community during the 2010s. Centered in the scenic Beaver Valley region of Southern Ontario, the festival brought together climbers, outdoor enthusiasts, guides, businesses, musicians, and conservation advocates for a celebration of climbing culture and environmental stewardship.

More than simply a climbing competition or recreational gathering, the festival served as a major community-building event for Ontario climbers. It blended climbing instruction, outdoor adventure, camping, live entertainment, wellness activities, and environmental advocacy into a single immersive weekend experience. The event was especially notable for directing all proceeds toward the Ontario Access Coalition, an organization devoted to protecting climbing access throughout Ontario.

The festival represented a uniquely regional expression of climbing culture. While major climbing festivals in places such as Colorado, Utah, or British Columbia often revolve around large-scale tourism and elite athletic competition, Beaver Valley Climbing Festival emphasized accessibility, community, and local stewardship. Climbers of all skill levels were encouraged to participate, from complete beginners to advanced sport and traditional climbers.

Archived information from the festival demonstrates a deep passion for the climbing areas of Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment region and a strong commitment to ensuring that future generations would continue to have access to these natural climbing destinations.

The Beaver Valley Region and Ontario Climbing Culture

The festival was rooted in the geography and outdoor culture of the Beaver Valley area in Grey County, Ontario. The region lies within the Niagara Escarpment, a massive geological formation that stretches across Southern Ontario and is recognized internationally for both its ecological and recreational significance.

The escarpment landscape contains limestone cliffs, caves, forests, waterfalls, and hiking trails that have long attracted climbers and outdoor adventurers. Within Ontario climbing culture, Beaver Valley and the surrounding escarpment areas are considered some of the province’s premier outdoor climbing destinations.

Key climbing locations associated with the festival included:

Metcalfe Rock
Old Baldy
Devil’s Glen
The Swamp climbing area

These sites collectively offer a mixture of sport climbing, traditional climbing, rappelling routes, and scrambling terrain suitable for varying levels of experience.

Unlike many western North American climbing regions dominated by towering granite walls, Ontario climbing is heavily influenced by limestone escarpment rock. Climbers often develop highly technical movement skills, careful footwork, and efficient body positioning because of the shorter but intricate nature of the routes.

The Beaver Valley region also carries significant appeal beyond climbing alone. Visitors are drawn to the area for hiking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, photography, caving, and scenic tourism. During summer months, the rolling hills and forested valleys create an ideal environment for outdoor festivals and recreational gatherings.

The festival capitalized on this setting by transforming the climbing event into a broader outdoor lifestyle experience rather than limiting it strictly to climbing competitions.

Festival Headquarters at Dogsled Farms

The central hub of the festival was Dogsled Farms in Rob Roy, Ontario. The property served as the gathering place for camping, evening entertainment, competitions, vendors, and social events.

Its location was strategically important because it sat within close proximity to several major climbing destinations in the Beaver Valley region. This allowed participants to travel easily between clinics, climbing sites, and festival activities throughout the day.

Festival organizers promoted the grounds as a communal meeting point where attendees could:

Camp overnight
Listen to live music
Browse outdoor vendors
Participate in competitions
Attend wellness sessions
Eat communal meals
Relax around bonfires
Socialize with climbers from across Ontario

The atmosphere appears to have been intentionally informal and welcoming. Rather than operating as a polished commercial expo, the festival emphasized authenticity and grassroots participation.

This sense of community became one of the event’s defining characteristics.

Founders and Community Leadership

The festival was founded by Leslie Timms and Jennie Elmslie, both of whom were active members of Ontario’s climbing scene.

Leslie Timms in particular became closely associated with the event’s identity. Timms was connected with On the Rocks Climbing Guides, a guiding and instructional organization involved in outdoor climbing education throughout Ontario. Her role extended beyond simple event coordination. She also taught clinics and served as one of the visible ambassadors for the festival’s educational mission.

The event was later organized in partnership with:

Ontario Access Coalition
On the Rocks Climbing Guides
Climbers Corner
Boulderz Climbing Gym
Free Spirit Tours
Alpine Club of Canada Toronto Section

This network of partnerships reflected the collaborative nature of Ontario’s climbing community during the period.

Rather than competing against one another commercially, local climbing gyms, guides, advocacy groups, and outdoor businesses frequently collaborated to support climbing access and grow participation in outdoor climbing.

The Ontario Access Coalition Connection

One of the festival’s most important purposes was fundraising for the Ontario Access Coalition.

Access organizations play a critical role in modern climbing culture. As outdoor climbing has grown in popularity, climbers have increasingly faced challenges involving:

Private land ownership
Liability concerns
Environmental protection regulations
Parking disputes
Trail erosion
Municipal restrictions
Insurance requirements

Without advocacy groups negotiating with landowners and local governments, many climbing areas risk closure.

The Ontario Access Coalition worked to maintain legal public access to climbing sites throughout the province. Festival organizers repeatedly stressed that every ticket purchased helped support these efforts.

This mission gave the festival a broader social purpose beyond recreation alone. Participants were not simply attending a climbing party; they were contributing financially to the preservation of Ontario climbing areas.

The fundraising success of the event demonstrated how deeply many climbers valued access preservation.

The 2014 Festival and Early Success

The 2014 Beaver Valley Climbing Festival appears to have been a breakthrough moment for the organization.

Archived reports from organizers described the second annual festival as a major success both financially and socially. According to festival announcements, approximately $6,000 was raised for the Ontario Access Coalition during the 2014 event.

Organizers repeatedly referred to the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere using phrases such as:

“Good vibes”
“Amazing support”
“Remarkable success”
“One for the record books”

Participants were offered an unusually broad range of activities including:

Climbing clinics
Competitions
Yoga
Massage therapy
Games
Vendor booths
Live music
Camping
Bonfires
Food
Social events

The event appears to have succeeded because it appealed not only to hardcore climbers but also to broader outdoor recreation audiences.

The communal and celebratory nature of the festival likely contributed to strong word-of-mouth popularity within Ontario climbing circles.

The 2015 Festival Experience

The 2015 festival expanded significantly on the previous year’s success.

Festival descriptions promoted a full day of programming that included:

Climbing competitions
Sport climbing clinics
Traditional climbing clinics
Youth activities
Slacklining
Mountain biking
Caving tours
Yoga sessions
Massage services
Pull-up competitions
Figure-4 competitions
Aerial silks performances
Live music
Dancing
Bonfires

Ticket prices were intentionally affordable considering the scope of activities included. Admission covered camping, dinner, clinics, entertainment, and competitions.

This pricing structure reinforced the festival’s inclusive philosophy. Organizers appeared focused on maximizing participation rather than creating an exclusive premium event.

The event also encouraged families and younger climbers to attend. Youth climbing competitions and beginner clinics were specifically incorporated into the schedule.

Climbing Competitions

The festival hosted multiple climbing competitions that catered to different experience levels and climbing styles.

Sport and Traditional Climbing Competition

One of the headline events was the Outland Adventure Gear climbing competition.

The sport climbing competition used an endurance-based scoring system in which climbers earned points according to:

Route difficulty
Number of bolts clipped
Number of routes completed

A separate traditional and mixed climbing competition evaluated climbers based on successful completion of routes without falls.

This format rewarded consistency, endurance, technical skill, and route management rather than isolated single-route performance.

Both men’s and women’s divisions were included, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on broad community participation.

Pull-Up Competition

The G6 Pull-Up Competition added a more playful fitness-oriented component to the festival.

Open even to children, the contest challenged participants to perform as many consecutive pull-ups as possible.

These types of side competitions are common within climbing festivals because they create spectator engagement and allow even non-climbers to participate socially.

Figure-4 Competition

The Figure-4 competition was one of the more unusual attractions.

Organized with members of Canada’s ice climbing team, the challenge involved navigating a specially constructed figure-4 obstacle structure.

Figure-4 movements are advanced climbing techniques frequently associated with mixed climbing and ice climbing disciplines. Including such a competition added a more technical and visually exciting element to the festival.

Educational Clinics and Instruction

Education formed a major component of the festival experience.

Numerous instructional clinics were offered free with festival admission, covering subjects such as:

Introductory rock climbing
Rappelling
Fear management
Movement technique
Caving
Lead climbing psychology

This educational emphasis reflected broader climbing culture values, where mentorship and skill-sharing are highly respected.

Introduction to Rock Climbing

Beginner clinics allowed newcomers to safely experience outdoor climbing with professional instruction and provided equipment.

These sessions were particularly important because outdoor climbing can otherwise feel intimidating or inaccessible to beginners unfamiliar with ropes, harnesses, and climbing systems.

Fear of Falling Clinic

One especially interesting workshop focused on overcoming fear while lead climbing.

Mental control and fear management are central aspects of climbing performance. The clinic condensed advanced psychological training techniques into an introductory course for climbers attempting to improve confidence while leading routes.

This demonstrated the festival’s willingness to address climbing as both a physical and mental discipline.

Caving and Exploration

The caving tours at Metcalfe Rock expanded the festival beyond vertical climbing alone.

Participants explored caves and underground passages using helmets and headlamps, highlighting the geological diversity of the Beaver Valley region.

These programs also broadened the event’s appeal to attendees who may not have been dedicated climbers.

Sponsors and Industry Support

The festival attracted support from numerous businesses and organizations connected to Ontario’s outdoor recreation economy.

Sponsors included:

Mountain Equipment Co-op
True North Climbing
Climbers Corner
Alpine Club of Canada
Free Spirit Tours
On the Rocks Climbing Guides
Outdoor retailers and local businesses

This sponsorship network illustrates the interconnected nature of Ontario’s climbing industry during the 2010s.

Many sponsors likely viewed the festival not simply as a marketing opportunity but as an investment in the long-term sustainability of Ontario climbing culture.

Cultural and Social Significance

The Beaver Valley Climbing Festival represented more than a recreational event. It reflected several broader cultural developments occurring within climbing during the 2010s.

Growth of Outdoor Climbing

During this period, climbing participation expanded dramatically across North America.

Indoor climbing gyms introduced thousands of new participants to the sport, many of whom later transitioned outdoors. Festivals like Beaver Valley Climbing Festival helped bridge that gap by providing beginner-friendly outdoor experiences.

Access Preservation Awareness

The event also reflected growing awareness around climbing access preservation.

As climbing participation increased, so too did tensions involving environmental sustainability, parking, landowner concerns, and overcrowding. Fundraising events supporting access organizations became increasingly important.

Community Identity

Perhaps most importantly, the festival reinforced a distinct Ontario climbing identity.

Ontario climbers often face unique challenges:

Short climbing seasons
Smaller cliffs compared to western destinations
Access restrictions
Weather variability

These limitations helped foster a tightly connected climbing community where collaboration and local stewardship became especially important.

The festival served as a public expression of that identity.

Legacy of Beaver Valley Climbing Festival

Although the festival itself no longer appears to operate actively, its legacy continues within Ontario climbing culture.

The event demonstrated that a grassroots climbing festival could successfully combine:

Recreation
Education
Environmental advocacy
Community building
Fundraising
Tourism
Wellness programming

It also highlighted the growing maturity of Ontario’s climbing scene during the mid-2010s.

Many climbing festivals focus heavily on elite athletes or commercial spectacle. Beaver Valley Climbing Festival instead emphasized participation, accessibility, and stewardship.

That philosophy likely explains why the festival remains fondly remembered by many who attended.

Its archived materials preserve a snapshot of a vibrant moment in Ontario climbing history when local guides, businesses, advocacy groups, and climbers came together around a shared belief: that climbing areas are not merely recreational spaces, but community resources worth protecting for future generations.

BeaverValleyClimbingFestival.com