Celebrate 80 Years of Climbing Schurman Rock at Camp Long’s Mountain Fest

Seattle Parks and Recreation announces Camp Long’s Mountain Fest on September 7th, 2019 with wall climbing, mountaineering, presentations and more.

Seattle Parks and Recreation opens historic Camp Long for its free, family-friendly Mountain Festival on September 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.—where anyone, from novices to hard-core enthusiasts, can get their hands on the rocks and feet off the ground. 

Visitors to the Camp Long Mountain Fest will find an exhilarating mix of climbing, conviviality, and challenge. They can test themselves on the high ropes course*, and swap stories afterwards, or simply enjoy some downtime and spirited conversation with kindred climbers around the fire pit eating hot dogs and s’mores (vegetarian options available.)

Vertical World, a local climbing gym, will run a climbing wall where individuals can scale the same rock that Clark Schurman and Fred Beckey, living legends among Northwest mountaineers, used to practice on*. Schurman Rock was constructed between 1938 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, and is believed to be the first man-made climbing structure in the U.S.. Mountain Madness, a climbing guide and mountaineering company, will run a rappel station down the camp’s “Glacier Wall.”

Visitors can also listen to presentations from Mountaineers Books authors including Jeff Smoot, Linnea Westerfield and Susan Elderkin. Camp Long cabins will host local artists including photographer Holli Margell and Molly Hashimoto. Multiple community organizations will be on site to discuss nature-focused issues from noxious weeds to bird identification.

*Space for climbing and ropes course is limited so early arrival to the festival and sign-up is encouraged. Waivers are required for all climbing activities and will be available at the lodge. 

All events are free and take place at Camp Long (5200 35th. Ave. Sw.) Located in West Seattle, this 68-acre park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn about natural history. A talented staff of naturalists and ropes course staff lead ongoing group environmental education and rock climbing classes. Programs at Camp Long are designed to be fun, educational, and interactive experiences for all ages. 

For more information about the Camp Long Mountain Fest, please call 206-423-3460 or visit seattle.gov/parks/environment/rock.htm. Camp Long Mountain Fest is sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Associated Recreation Council. Partners include O2 Outdoor Opportunities Program, Girl Scouts of Washington, Mountain Madness, Moutaineers Books, WA Alpine Club, Vertical World, and King County Noxious Weed Program.