Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition 2025

The Illinois Climbers Association is proud to present Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition on November 1st, 2025. Nestled on a Southern Illinois hillside, the Holy Boulders is a world-class bouldering area offering classic lines of all grades on perfectly textured sandstone. Help us to continue to raise funds for the Holy Boulders and Illinois climbing, to ensure access to future generations.

Ticket pricing:

• First 100 tickets at $75
• Tickets 101-201 at $85
• Tickets 202-302 at $95
• Regular price at $105
• Competitor registration is capped at 450
• Spectator tickets are $40. Spectators under 13 are $20.
• Spectator tickets are capped at100

Competitor registration includes:

• Entrance to Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition
• Camping: Friday & Saturday night
• After Party with the Swamp Tigers
• Dinner on Saturday after climbing
• Competitor t-shirt
• Illinois Climbers Association membership and associated perks

Spectator tickets include:

• Spectating to Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition.
• No spectators are allowed to climb Saturday
• Camping: Friday & Saturday night
• After Party with the Swamp Tigers
• Dinner on Saturday after climbing
• T-shirts available for purchase separately

Food:

Dinner Saturday night is included in competitor and spectator registration. No other food available onsite for other meals. Plan accordingly.

Sweatshirts:

Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition hooded sweatshirts ($40) are available through pre-order only and available for pickup at the competition. Please order yours when purchasing your ticket.

Women's Categories:

• Beginner (V0-V2)
• Intermediate (V3-V4)
• Advanced (V5-V6)
• Elite (V7+)

Men's Categories:

• Beginner (V0-V2)
• Intermediate (V3-V4)
• Advanced (V5-V7)
• Elite (V8+)

Other Categories:

• Stonemaster - Ages 40-49
• Crusty Stonemaster - Ages 50+
• Circuit master - Most Cumulative Points
• Youth male and female - Ages 13 and under

How do I pick my category? Please choose a category based on whether or not you could complete two previously unclimbed problems (in a given day) of that grade. That will likely put you into the appropriate category. Be honest, we have and will bump sandbaggers.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

* The event takes place on private property at The public is only permitted here during the competition.

Friday, October 31st

• 2:00 pm - Competition site opens for camping setup
• 5:00 pm - Competitor and spectator check in begins
• 7:00 pm - Climbing film screenings

Saturday, November 1st

• 7:30 am - Registration opens
• 8:00am - Yoga with Ashley
• 9 am - Climbing begins
• 4 pm - Climbing ends
• 5 pm- Awards
• After Party to follow with the Swamp Tigers

Sunday, November 2nd

• Finish yesterday's projects! Pack out all trash.

Also check out other Contests in Pomona, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Pomona, Entertainment events in Pomona.