Pilgrimage 2026

The Illinois Climbers Association is proud to present Pilgrimage

The Holy Boulders Competition on:

Saturday, October 31st

Registration: TBD

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.

Get Tickets

Competition Registration

Ticket pricing:

First 100 tickets at $75
Tickets 101-201 at $85
Tickets 202-302 at $95
Regular price at $105
We are capping registration at 450 competitors and 100 spectators this year.
Spectator tickets are $40. Spectators under13 are $20.

Your 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

Your spectator ticket includes:

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

Dinner:

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. Please order yours when purchasing your ticket. Hooded sweatshirts WILL NOT be available at the competition.

Women's Categories

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

Men's Categories

Other

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

○ Stonemaster - Ages 40-49
○ Crusty Stonemaster - Ages 50+
○ Circuitmaster - Most Cumulative Points
○ Youth male & 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.

* The event takes place on private property at 1 Tripps Ln., Pomona IL The public is only permitted here during the competition.

Friday, October 30th

2:00 pm - Competition site opens
5:00 pm - Competitor and spectator check-in begins
7:00 pm - Classic climbing film screenings

Saturday, October 31st

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

Sunday, November 1st

Finish yesterday's projects! Pack out all trash.