Tour de Frank CANCELLED at this Time Due to Extreme Fire Risk!

As most of you are undoubtedly aware, there is a Fire Advisory for the Crowsnest Pass Area due to the extremely dry conditions in the area over the last month.  The Fire Advisory addresses the extreme fire risk, and involves both a complete fire ban and a forest ban.  We've been monitoring the Fire Advisory closely, especially since two days of rain was forecast for mid-week which would have reduced the fire risk substantially.  Unfortunately, the rain never really materialized, and the Fire Advisory has been extended for the foreseeable future.  The area remains smoky as forest fires south of the Crowsnest Pass in the Waterton Lakes Park and in SE British Columbia continue to burn.

I talked with a Frank Slide site manager this morning. The Frank Slide Interpretive Center has closed the interpretive hiking paths through the Slide, although access to the boulders from the Highway Parking Lots is still permitted.  They have indicated that they do not want any large groups of people in the Slide this weekend due to the extreme fire risk, and we are in agreement with them.  As such, we have made the decision to cancel the Tour de Frank Bouldering Festival this weekend.

😔

Due to the fact that there is very little rain forecast for the upcoming weeks, simply postponing the event for a week seems unwise and unrealistic.  If there is substantial rainfall before the weather becomes too cool we may consider holding the Tour de Frank later this fall.  However, given the ongoing dry conditions, the likelihood of the 2017 Tour de Frank is uncertain.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause anyone!  We are deeply disappointed that the weather has not cooperated, and regret that we won't be able to show off Alberta's Biggest and Best Bouldering Area!  Check the blog for updates, we'll post if the event is rescheduled.

Huge thanks to those individuals and companies that support the Tour de Frank!  This year we have 14 sponsors (!) supporting the event, including climbing gyms, retail outlets, and distributors from across Alberta and southern BC!  Awesome Adventures (Lethbridge), Flashed Climbing, Friction Labs, Trailhead (Red Deer), ARQ Mountain Center (Cranbrook), Outdoor Research, Static Climbing Bags, Osprey, Rock Jungle Fitness (Edmonton), Grand Wall Equipment, Bolder (Calgary), Outside All Day (bringing you not just prizes but the new Frank Slide Bouldering tees), Spry (Crowsnest Pass), and Calgary Climbing Center (Calgary) all stepped up to support the event! Throw some support back their way!

Thank you for your interest and support!  It is your support that makes events like the Tour de Frank a reality.

If you are interested in travelling a little further afield for similar events in the near future, check out the Butte Bouldering Bash in Montana (Saturday, October 14), or the Dierkes Boulderfest in Idaho (Saturday, October 13 and 14).