Kick off the ALMOST Spring climbing season the Yeti way at our annual Spire Spring Fling Rope Competition. You’ve been training hard all winter (…or whatever this season has been), so it’s time to crawl out of the cave and climb like the wild creature you are!
Expect thumping beats from the DJ, flashing lights, a massive raffle, and prizes worth roaring about. Whether you’re shaking off hibernation or already charging into spring, this is your chance to wake the beast and send.
Date: February 21st, 2026
Registration:
Youth USAC Regional Qualifier: $70 - Competitors must register online via the USAC website here.
Citizens’ Comp: $60 Pre-registration (Use promo code: ALMOSTSSF at checkout) or $70 starting Feb 16th. Price includes adult beverage (for those of age), raffle ticket, and spectator entry to finals. Click above to register online.
Finals Spectating: All competitors receive free entry to finals. Non-competitor Spectator tickets are $15. Includes a free adult beverage while supplies last, so don’t show up late. Spectator tickets are limited and must be pre-purchased online.
T-Shirts: Spring Fling Shirts are $20 each. Shirts are limited and sold day of. First-come, first-served.
Volunteer Belayers & Judges Needed: Sign up to volunteer for the Youth Comp here, and we’ll cover your Citizens Comp entry fee! Signup here.
*Lead Ropes: For this year's Citizen Spring Fling competition, participants will need to bring their own rope, as Spire will not be providing them for rental.
**Youth competitors may also compete in the Citizens comp for an additional $35. To register, please email info@spireclimbing.com.
***PLEASE NOTE – Only the morning session is a USAC qualifying event. You must register through USAC directly for this session. Youth who wish to participate in the citizens competition in the afternoon sessions WILL NOT receive USAC qualifying points.
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Beginner (5.9 and below)
Intermediate (5.10-5.11)
Open (5.12 and above)
Masters (Age 35+)
Non-Binary
Marathon
U19 (Born 2008-2009)
U17 (Born 2010-2011)
U15 (Born 2012-2013)
U13 (Born 2014-2015)
U11 (Born 2016 or later)
*Youth Categories correspond to USA Climbing’s 2025-2026 season categories.
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USAC Youth Comp: USAC Modified Redpoint format.
Citizens Comp: Redpoint format. Masters (35+), Beginner, Intermediate, Open, Non-Binary and Recreations Youth (U19, U17, U15, U13, U11). Choose to climb in Session 1 or 2. Top 4 completed routes with number of attempts used to break ties. Top 8 open competitors will proceed to onsite finals. Finals Round is onsite (1 route).
Marathon: As many routes as you can do! One point each. Two ascents per route max. You can climb in both sessions.
Scoring: USAC Youth Scoring results can be found HERE. All Citizens competitors will need to download the STEEPSCORES app IOS / Google Store onto a mobile device to see live results during the competition and finals. The competition code for STEEPSCORES will be included in your registration confirmation email. Marathon will have a separate paper scorecard.
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USAC Youth Qualifying Event Rules:
Rules for the Spring Fling USAC Youth Qualifying Event will follow the rules as outlined by USA Climbing rulebook.
Citizen Rules:
All Competitors who Top Rope Belay, Lead Climb, or Lead Belay MUST BE TESTED AND APPROVED BY A SPIRE STAFF BEFORE THE EVENT STARTS! All Recreational youth participants must be accompanied by an adult/belayer that has completed a Spire belay assessment. SPIRE WILL NOT PROVIDED BELAYERS AND JUDGES FOR THE CITIZENS SESSIONS. If you are not sure if you have completed your belay assessment at Spire, please come in before the day of the event to complete this. We will not be providing Top Rope or Lead Belay assessments on the day of the competition.
Routes have no designated starting holds. Competitors may start on any holds which they can reach from the ground. On all TR finishes competitor, must control the final hold(s). On all Lead finishes, competitor must complete the final clip. Top of the wall is off.
Competitors can attempt any route as many times as they want. If a hold spins or breaks, step off immediately or the attempt will count (then please contact a staff member). If you use a hold or feature that is "off route", no points can be earned, and the attempt will count.
Only designated holds and features are permitted for climbing each route. “Smearing” is allowed so long as a competitor does not utilize something off route such as another hold. Volumes are considered part of the wall and can be used unless otherwise noted.
Bolt holes on the wall are not permitted to be used as hand holds at any time. Bolt holes on holds can be used.
Competitors cannot work routes. You must lower to the ground immediately after falling. You may brush holds while lowering.
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USAC Youth Regional Qualifier (All male and female categories)
Judge Meeting: 7am
Check in: 7 - 7:45am
Competitor Technical Meeting: 7:45am
Climbing: 8am – 11:00am
Awards to follow in north gym
Citizens Comp Session 1 (Recreational Youth, Masters, Beginner, Intermediate, Open, Non-Binary and Marathon)
Check in: 11:15 – 11:45am
Competitor Technical Meeting: 11:45pm
Climbing: 12:00 – 3:00pm
Citizens Comp Session 2 (Recreational Youth, Masters, Beginner, Intermediate, Open, Non-Binary, and Marathon)
Check in: 2:30 – 3:00pm
Competitor Technical Meeting: 3:00pm
Climbing: 3:15 – 6:15pm
Finals
Finalist Iso Check in: 6:30 – 7pm
Doors open for Spectators: 7pm
Citizen Awards (Recreational Youth, Masters, Beginner, Intermediate, Non-Binary, Marathon): 7:30pm
Finals: 7:45pm
Open awards and raffle to follow
*Schedule is subject to change as final registration numbers are identified.
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$2000 cash purse Citizens Comp Men’s/Women’s (1st - $600, 2nd – $300, 3rd - $100), awards for other category winners.
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Registration fees are refundable up to two weeks before the event date.