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Alan Watts to Deliver Keynote Address at the International Climbers Festival 2023 in Wyoming
JoAnn Watts • Jun 30, 2023
The highly anticipated International Climbers Festival 2023, taking place in Wyoming at LANDER CITY PARK, Wyoming. July 13, 2023 - July 16, 2023
Wyoming, 6-29-2023 - The highly anticipated International Climbers Festival 2023, taking place in Wyoming at LANDER CITY PARK, Wyoming, July 13, 2023 - July 16, 2023, is proud to announce Alan Watts, a renowned climber and industry influencer, as one of the distinguished keynote speakers for the event. Watts will share his wealth of experience and expertise with climbers and enthusiasts worldwide during his captivating address.
Raised in Madras, Oregon, a stone's throw away from the iconic Smith Rock, Alan Watts discovered his passion for climbing at 14. Recognizing the untapped potential of Smith Rock, Watts dedicated himself to its development when few others saw its promise. From 1980 to 1985, he pushed the boundaries of local climbing standards, raising them from 5.11d to 5.13d, thereby pioneering the genre of sport climbing in the United States.
Watts shattered conventions and propelled American climbers in a new direction through his groundbreaking ascents of routes such as Watts Tots, Chain Reaction, and Darkness at Noon. His exceptional skills and unwavering dedication led him to become one of the first climbers in the United States to reach the esteemed 5.14 level.
In 1988, Watts co-founded Entre Prise's USA, contributing significantly to the growth of the climbing industry. He also authored his first guidebook to Smith Rock in 1992, followed by an updated edition in 2010. The latest edition, released in August 2023, promises to provide climbers with invaluable insights and information.
Recognizing his immense contributions, Rock and Ice magazine honored Watts as one of the ten most influential climbers in US climbing in 2009. Watts continues to foster the climbing community through his company, Watts Rocks, which offers unique experiences at Smith Rock State Park.
February 15, 2023, Bend, Oregon. We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Watts Rocks website, a new venture that provides limited private climbing sessions, speaking engagements, blogs, and experiences at Smith Rock State Park. Our launch coincides with the anniversary of the birth of US Sport Climbing, a milestone that holds significant historical importance for the sport. Watts Rocks Partners with Adventure Mate App for an amazing Smith Rock Experience. Watts Rocks is excited to offer an experience for both in-person attendees and those unable to visit the park. The Adventure Mate App utilizes proprietary technology to provide users with a glimpse into the history and legends of the park, as well as offer adventures in Central Oregon. Anticipated launch date Summer 2023. Furthermore, our launch coincides with the upcoming publication of the third edition of "Rock Climbing: Oregon's Smith Rock State Park," authored by Alan Watts, a comprehensive climbing guide to the park's 2271 routes, to be published by Falcon Guides in August 2023. Watts Rocks is a new venture founded by Alan Watts, a lifelong resident of Central Oregon and a sport climbing pioneer who began climbing at Smith Rock in 1975. During the 1980s, his innovations on routes such as Watts Tots and Chain Reaction went against the established norms of the day, creating a new genre of sport climbing in the United States. Alan has developed hundreds of routes at Smith Rock and authored three comprehensive guidebooks detailing the region's climbing routes and rich history. Watts Rocks was created to share the magic and majesty of Smith Rock and its place in climbing lore with a new generation of people who value the area and the story it has to tell. Our limited private climbing sessions and experiences offer a unique opportunity to connect with this iconic state park and learn from one of the sport's early pioneers. We're thrilled to partner with the Adventure Mate App to offer a proprietary Smith Rock experience for both in-person attendees and those unable to visit the park in the Summer of 2023. With a family connection to Smith Rock spanning five generations, Watts Rocks and Alan Watts are committed to bridging the gap between past and future generations, sharing stories and recollections of the pioneers of this remarkable place. For more information on our launch and to book a private climbing session, please visit our website at wattsrocks.xyz
