Gunks Climbers' Coalition

09/18/2026

What began as a vision has now turned into an education-first festival that has served thousands of climbers, strengthening our surrounding community.

Swipe through for an event overview, and if you are a local craft vendor, member of a JEDI organization, or interested in volunteering we want to hear from you!

Tickets are available at gunksfest.com or the link in our profile.

09/13/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

What Happens When Things Go Sideways

One of the original masterclasses of GunksFest - taught by one of the most accomplished and talented guides in the area.

Many climbers show up to the cliff each day with only enough in their skill sets to get to the top safely if everything goes right.

But wouldn't you like to be among those prepared to succeed, even when things go wrong?

Like a dropped belay device, or forgotten harness? Or maybe you ran out of slings, or it started storming mid-pitch or you're just looking to become more dialed in "creative" gear placements.

Join Rise Outside guide Alan Kline for a dive into nuanced and creative ways to solve problems to get you and your partner down safely.

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/11/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

Anchor Power: Advanced Anchoring for Women & Non-Binary

Aside from being one of the indisputable most-experienced guides in the Gunks, Patty Patten Lankhorst has been a longtime educator at GCC events and her clinics end up waitlisted, every single time.

"Anchor Power" will certainly be no different, an advanced clinic for trad leaders looking for the skills to meet the demands of any anchoring scenario.

Go beyond the bolts with Patty, and explore more advanced anchor-building techniques, gear selection, and creative solutions for building solid, efficient systems in a variety of climbing situations

Note - this clinic is reserved for women and non-binary climbers.

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/09/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

How Trusty are those Rusties?

Clip-and-whip or just plain skip? Or maybe time to tie-off?

Learn about the intricacies and history of iron, and how trustworthy exactly it can and cannot be with the legendary Dr. Richard Goldstone - in another free clinic at this year's fest.

Chances are you have encountered an original piece of fixed hardware, if you have wondered the vintage then this class is for you.

This clinic presents some of the history of piton development, discusses appropriate attitudes and practices for dealing with in-situ gear, and describes selection, placing and removal (in the context of free climbing—this is not an aid tutorial).

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/08/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

Top Rope Rescue Tactics

Think toproping isn't risky?

Accident data will tell you differently, and having the right skills in your toolkit to prevent and solve problems can be a literal lifesaver.

Techniques like belay escape, top-belay rescue, and various lift assists will be covered by Teddy Dondanville from Mountain Skills guides in this half-day intensive.

Learn both hands-on rescue skills and best practices to make your TR practice a little less risky.

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/08/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

Map & Compass Navigation

Of all the things that can go wrong in an adventure, getting lost is one of the most avoidable.

But ask most climbers if they have the skills to back up their backcountry aspirations and you'll likely find out that they don't know their declination from their destination.

And when things get really bad - well a compass never runs out of batteries.

Join Gunks Guides & Climbing School backcountry expert Greg in this clinic to get you dialed (pun intended) on map and compass skills.

This hands-on course covers essential skills such as reading topographic maps, using a compass for precise orientation, and plotting your own route.

Whether you’re hiking familiar trails or venturing off the beaten path into the wilderness, map and compass skills are vital for ensuring safety and confidence and this half-day clinic could one day prove vital to getting you out of the wilderness safely.

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/05/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE**

Mushroom Foraging

Everything is edible at least once, right?

Do you count yourself among the fungi-curious? Want to bulk up on your wild harvesting skills, or just get a better understanding of what the heck those glowing toadstools are?

Mushroom Foraging is a clinic that is available at no extra cost to all GunksFest attendees, a didactic and hands-on experience led by the GCC's own Cliffmama .

No experience necessary for this clinic, foragers of all levels are welcome to learn how to identify wild mushrooms: what's tasty vs what can kill you.

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/03/2026

**TICKET LINK IN PROFILE

Bonticou Ecology Tour

This clinic was one of our first to book solid last year, and is once again offered completely FREE (with festival pass) thanks to the Mohonk Preserve !!

Evan Timony, Mohonk Preserve Ranger, will be leading attendees on one of the most storied hikes in the region.

This 5-mile round trip adventure features a rock scramble that weaves through some of the finest stone in the Gunks, and leads to an exposed summit ridge.

It's this ridge that is the heart of the clinic, as Evan will lead guests through the fragile pitch-pine ecosystem and talk about the local ecology, its threats like invasive species, and what we can do to help preserve it.

Trailhead access is included with your festival ticket - but you must provide your own transportation.

Spots are limited (and already booking) so get yours soon!

Tickets and information available NOW at gunksfest.com.

09/02/2026

Details for the GCC GunksFest ->

Tickets on sale now. Clinics, vendors, camping, and an evening film festival in the Shawangunks. Presented by the Gunks Climbers Coalition with Mohonk Preserve. October 9th - 12th, 2026.

09/02/2026

**TICKETS www.gunksfest.com **

Multipitch Strategies.

Feeling confident in single pitch terrain, and ready to take the next step towards getting off the ground?

Whether your goal is to safely bring a partner up High Exposure or summit and descend a desert Grade IV, this clinic will get you dialed.

Rise Outside has been a partner of the GunksFest since the very beginning, and this year is no exception as they field all-star guide Angelo for this clinic.

He will cover belay transitions, rope management, lead blocks, and all the tips and tricks to get you up (and down) safely.

Tickets available NOW at gunksfest.com.