Pumpfest 2025
OUR ANNUAL CUSTER STATE PARK CLIMBING FESTIVAL IS HERE!
Join us at Pumpfest, A Black Hills Climbing Festival hosted by the Black Hills Climbers Coalition!
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Black Hills, this event brings together climbers of all skill levels for a weekend of vertical crystal pinching. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or beginner, Pumpfest has something for every climber.
Immerse yourself in the Black Hills community of climbers, enjoy expert-led workshops and clinics, and discover the breathtaking beauty of the Black Hills while climbing among the beautiful landscape of Custer State Park.
This year’s festival will be held behind Sylvan Lake in the Inner Outlet Climbing Area of Custer State Park. While we will not be setting up ropes this year, climbers are encouraged to explore classic routes across formations such as Inner Outlet, Vertigo View, Inner Course, Practice Rock, Paydirt Pinnacle, and Nora’s Wall.
This shift reflects our focus on partner connection, community engagement, and skill development through guided clinics. Whether you’re linking up with new partners or attending a clinic, you’ll have access to dozens of climbs in one of CSP’s most scenic and iconic areas.
(Refer to map layout below for exact location)
Festival Schedule
Friday, July 25th
4PM - 5PM: Speaker Event
Located at the Custer Library (447 Crook St. #4, Custer, SD)
Guest Speakers with Q&A to follow
5:30 - 9PM: Kickoff Social
Located at the South Dakota Outdoor Shop
429 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, SD
YoYo Habachi Food Truck available
Lost Cabin Beer Takeover
5:30 - 6:30 PM: Social Hour
6:30-9PM Live Music by Neon Eyes
Learn more about the band below.
Free camping offered in the town of Custer
Generously donated by Don’t Panic
Book your spot below: Van, Car, and Tent site available
Saturday, July 26th
7-8 AM: Yoga & Breathwork
Located at Custer Couthouse Museum Lawn (next to the Outdoor Shop)
411 Mt. Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD
Breathwork led by Chris Pelczarski from Inner Earth Breathwork
Sign up and learn more below!
Yoga Class: Hatha Yoga for Climbers led by Sarah Christiansen
Sign up and learn more below!
8 AM: Climbing Clinic Check In
Location: SD Outdoor Shop
7-10 AM: Coffee, Donuts, & Climbing Partner Meetup
Don’t have a partner for the day? Gather at the Outdoor Shop to fuel up on coffee and donuts, and connect with other climbers looking for partners!
Location: SD Outdoor Shop
8AM - 1PM: Climbing Clinics
Led by Sylvan Rocks Climbing Guide School (Pre-registration required)
Sign up and descriptions below!
8AM - 4PM: CLIMBING in Custer State Park
See map below how to approach the Outlets climbing area
Outdoor vendors will have booths available by the climbing routes
Vendors include: CAAMP. Mountain Hardwear, Rab
4:30 - 11 PM: After Party
Location: Custer Beacon
5 - 7:30PM Yard Games, Vendors, Crate Stacking, Raffle Prizes
7:30 - 10:30 PM: Live Music by Barstool Prophets
Learn more about the band below.
Free camping offered in the town of Custer
Generously donated by Don’t Panic
Book your spot below: Van, Car, and Tent sites available
Sunday, July 27th
8-9 AM: Yoga & Breathwork
Located at Custer Courthouse Museum Lawn (next to the Outdoor Shop)
411 Mt. Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD
Breathwork led by Chris Pelczarski from Inner Earth Breathwork
Sign up and learn more below!
Yoga Class: Yoga Flow and Guided Stretching led by NIkki Massek
Sign up and learn more below!
8-10 AM: Coffee, Donuts, & Informal Climbing Partner Meetup
Don’t have a partner for the day? Gather at the Outdoor Shop to fuel up on coffee and donuts, and connect with other climbers looking for partners!
Location: SD Outdoor Shop
Additional Information for Pumpfest
Map Overview of Climbing Area
The BHCC will not be setting up top ropes for Pumpfest this year. Instead, we want to encourage community collaboration and involvement by connecting climbers with one another. The map below serves as a general guide to the areas where most people will be gathering and climbing. For specific climbing routes, we will have guidebooks available to review. These guidebooks can also be purchased at the SD Outdoor Shop, Granite Sports, or Roam’n Around.
The green parking area is where you’ll find the BHCC booth, along with booths from other companies. We encourage everyone to carpool whenever possible, as parking is limited in the area.
Rock Climbing Clinics
Introduction to Rock Climbing
During this two-hour long course, you will learn the very basics of top rope rock climbing. Your instructors will teach you how to move effectively on the rocks, tie in with a figure eight follow through, top rope belay, and more! This course covers the foundational skills necessary to minimize risk while climbing in a single pitch, top rope setting.
Saturday July 26, 2025 8:00am (Meet at SD Outdoor Shop)
$25 per person – 18 people max
Equipment provided (Bring your own if you have it)
Instructors:
Sign Waiver:
Payment:
Introduction to Multi-Pitch Sport Climbing
This four-hour long course is designed for those interested in multi-pitch sport climbing. This clinic will cover the basics of moving from sport climbing in a single pitch environment to entering the realm of beginner multi-pitch climbing. We will focus on efficiency, anchor building, and mitigating risk in the multi-pitch environment. Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate; but participants should have an understanding and comfortability with climbing in a single pitch environment.
Saturday July 26, 2025 8:00am (Meet at SD Outdoor Shop)
$45 per person – 8 people max
Equipment NOT provided (Please bring your harness, helmet, shoes, anchor building materials (A variety of slings of different lengths, locking carabiners, non-locking carabiners, cordelette (18ft or more), belay device(s), etc.) Bring any gear you would normally carry while single or multi-pitch sport climbing. Participants will receive 10% off their entire purchase at the South Dakota Outdoor Shop if you need to purchase required materials for the course.
Instructors:
Sign Waiver:
Payment:
Self & Partner Rescue Skills
This five-hour long course is designed for avid and advanced climbers that wish to learn the foundational skills used during self & partner rescue. This course will cover isolating a compromised rope, passing a knot while lowering & on rappel, load transfers, escaping a belay into a counter balanced rappel, mechanical advantage, a ‘pick off’ (ex: injured lead climber), etc.
This is an ADVANCED level course, and participants should have a strong rock-climbing background. Participants should be familiar with various belay devices (assisted braking and not), extended rappelling, basic friction hitches, basic knot tying (figure eight, clove hitch, flat overhand, etc.) It is recommended that participants attempt to learn the munter hitch and the munter mule overhand prior to this course. While it is not mandatory for participants to be comfortable with the munter, exposure to the munter & munter mule overhand will allow more time to focus on the technical rescue skills covered in this course. The munter mule overhand is a foundational skill utilized in nearly all components of this rescue course.
Equipment NOT provided (Please bring your harness, helmet, shoes, anchor building materials (A variety of slings of different lengths, locking carabiners, non-locking carabiners, cordelette, belay device(s), etc.) Bring any gear you would normally carry while single or multi-pitch sport climbing). A cordelette (18-21ft long) is VERY important to have for this course. It is also recommended that you bring a form of note taking to best retain key points (photos & video taking is appropriate & encouraged). Participants will receive 10% off their entire purchase at the South Dakota Outdoor Shop if you need to purchase required materials for the course.
Saturday, July 26, 2025 8:00am (Meet at SD Outdoor Shop)
$45 per person – 8 people max
Instructors:
Sign Waiver:
Payment:
