During my visit home in Newfoundland, I’m bound to meet up with my friends who, conveniently enough, are all rock climbers like myself.
Lori, my climbing buddy (we were each other’s first climbing partners—19 years and going!) mentioned to me that she was heading down to Flatrock, a small town, minutes outside of St. John’s where she was going to be volunteering for the day and invited me. You know I had to go to that.
Flatrock Fest successfully finished up its third consecutive year of inviting regular climbers, folks who’ve never stepped foot on a climbing wall or rockface, and the others who have been itching to try outdoor climbing. For fifteen bucks you show up, get the gear supplied to you, sit in on sessions, and climb til your hearts content for a full day of climbing and rappelling, down at Flatrock.
Wallnuts Climbing Centre, amongst many more sponsors helped out in executing the event held by the Alpine Club of Canada. There were goodie bags handed out to the first 50 climbers who signed up. Inside the bags were a variety of prAna tee’s, chalk bags, Rock & Ice magazine, and a rock climbing DVD. I was not one of the lucky contenders to sign up in advance, plus I was volunteering so I didn’t think it was fair for me to grab one from a lucky attendee. I sure wanted one though! I did end up getting a sweet door prize (Evolve boulder brush) and a Black Diamond cam keychain.
It has rained continuously throughout my trip back home in Newfoundland, but we lucked out weather wise and had a fantastic day down on the rock with over 150 people in attendance. The guys from Wallnuts worked hard putting the event together, with more than 20 top ropes for people to get on and climb.
Leo (the owner of Wallnuts, who is like an older brother to me. My brother and him go “way back”) ended up staying overnight in a tent down at Flatrock the night before the fest, working hard putting everything together for a successful day. I was told he knew the tide wouldn’t be coming in throughout night, so he was safe and sound. Still wouldn’t be me down there, scary stuff!
Lori set up the rappelling station — which I had a go at multiple times. It scared the crap out of me, since I don’t regularly climb outdoors, if anything I boulder. But after a few tries I easily got over the fear of leaning bum back over a cliff and use an ATC to rappel down. That’s me getting ready to go! 
There was a special guest this year, Black Diamond sponsored climber J.P Ouellet was there giving a few talks throughout the day on trad climbing. I sat in on one of his two sessions (can you spot me?), and asked a handful of questions. 
(photo from ACCNL)
I felt a bit silly at first when he asked everyone in the group how long they’ve been climbing. Some answered 5 days, a few months and up to a few years. He pointed at me and I squirmed, answering “ninteen years” — and here I am sitting in on a beginners session on how to use cams, nuts, and bolts. J.P was pretty great, funny and informative with his talk at Flatrock, so I’m glad I sat down to enjoy it.
I’ll leave you with a few more photos that I took throughout the day at Flatrock Fest:
Leo’s a Dad!
I’m the queen of inappropriate footwear, so I had to borrow Lori’s 5.10 accents for the day trip.
I’m glad I was home at the perfect time for the Flatrock Fest, and hopefully I’ll be back next summer for the fourth year.
Sponsors of Flatrock Fest 2014: Wallnuts Climbing Centre, The Outfitters, Black Diamond, Metolius, Rock – Ice, Flashed.
34 Comments
LOVE these pictures! This looks amazing!! I tried rock climbing for the first time this year – it was really fun! But scary too. I don’t know how I would feel tackling those cliffs sans mats! Way to go
Krysten (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Conquering the Grind
@Krysten (@darwinianfail): Omg Krysten, we’re not daredevils haha. Crashpads are used for bouldering, at the Flatrock Fest, they had top ropes set up just like you’d see at an indoor climbing gym.
Nancy recently posted..Flatrock Fest, Newfoundland
Rock climbing looks awesome! I’ve never been here, but it looks like so much fun :)
Wow! What a great place! I would never climb rocks, but I’d love to explore.
Alisha H. recently posted..Fun and Educational Children’s Books by Downtown Bookworks!
What a gorgeous place! I’ve never been rock climbing before, since I live in flat Florida. It’s on my bucket list for sure, though!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted..Hump Day Happenings #26
These photos are absolutely breathtaking! You are far more adventurous than I. How admirable! I think it’s wonderful that you love to do stuff like this! :)
Breanna recently posted..32 Weeks with Baby # 2!
Wow you’re so brave! Looks like you had an amazing adventure! :D
Tanya Coffman recently posted..Goodbye August
Wow you’re so brave…Looks like you had an amazing adventure! :D
Tanya Coffman recently posted..Goodbye August
Nancy, Amazing photos. Good Job.
Wow, that a beautiful place. That must have been an amazing climb!
Michelle recently posted..My first Tweet Poem
That looks like an amazing place! <3 I would love to try something like this!
Brooklyn Jolley recently posted..Christ As A Comforter
These pictures are amazing. So beautiful! I stated I would never climb outdoors but how can you not want to when looking at these!
Laurel Wads recently posted..ABC’s of Laurel Wads
What a beautiful are I love the picture of all the shoes.
Karissa recently posted..Blog-tember challenge day 3: when I grow up!
Those pictures are so great! I have always been super impressed by rock climbers. It looks awesome.
Michelle Snow recently posted..Awesomely Random Celebrity Facts You Didn’t Know
This looks too fun! What a gorgeous way to spend a day.
Girl in Beta recently posted..My Greatest Performance (Repost from September 3, 2012)
You are making me want to go rock climbing so badly! Now to just get the arm strength, gear and lose the fear of heights. Help! lol.
This looks SO cool. I’d be super nervous too and I’m not a climber, haha. Those rocks are really awesome too, how they are sticking out of the water.
Jessica Doll recently posted..Week 35, Box Houses
these photos are amazing! i hope to visit this place someday!
ananda recently posted..5 Thing I Love About Earthships
I am so totally jealous, it looks like so much fun! Hopefully you’ll post enough to motivate me to get up and go!!!
Love the photo of all the climbing shoes. RAD.
Jordan recently posted..Homemade Honey Granola
Looks like a fun day! It was always the abseiling down that scared me the most! Putting all your trust into a person and the ropes holding you up – scary thought!
Katie <3
Katie Matthews recently posted..The Posh Sloshed Blondes
Rock climbing looks like so much fun. I would love to try it one day.
Jemma @ celery and cupcakes recently posted..{Recipe} Warm Fig and Nectarine Salad
How beautiful! I can’t wait to retire and travel the world and see all these awesome places!
Sarah Woods recently posted..Homemade Christmas 2014
Not only are these great photos but you are one brave brave soull. I’m not scared of heights but I would be so afraid the belay(sp) would break and not catch me.
Wow– I would NOT have stayed in that tent. Scary stuff haha!
I loved your pictures of the shoes!!!!! But overall what a cool experience and I don’t think that I would have slept where that tent was either!
WOW this looks so cool!
this is SO cool!! I’ve never done anything like this but would really like to!
brita recently posted..Roasted Veggie Bowl with Cashew Dressing
these are some gorgeous photos! i wish i was more of a rock climber :)
Beautiful photos! Looks like a fun time!
Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs recently posted..The Little Mermaid Inspired Felt Pouch Tutorial (+Free Pattern)
First of all, the location looks breath taking. Second, $15!?! Are you serious? What a steal!
Nikki Rae recently posted..Wine Tasting in Solvang, California
Beautiful photography! I have never been rock climbing, but have no qualms about trying it at least once. If nothing else, it’s a great workout. You go girl!!!!
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Ayana Pitterson recently posted..lace + thrift sisters link up
Wow. I have NO desire to do that, but I CANNOT get enough of the scenery! So incredible & majestic!
Jenn (@youpinspireme) recently posted..10 Minute Easy Cinnamon & Sugar Donuts: a super tasty camping treat!
For me the idea of rock climbing scares the bejesus outta me lol but looks like you guys had fun…19years wow…
This super cool event was happening so close to home and I had no idea! I’ll have to keep an eye on Wallnuts to see when it’s happening this year. I’ve never climbed before but I’d love to try it.
Melissa | Suitcase and Heels recently posted..What I Wore in Boston