It’s not a stairway to heaven, but it does offer elevated views of New York City’s skyline.
A 55-foot climbing wall is in place off Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park for The North Face Climb Festival, which is billed as a two-day “celebration of climbing and culture” with a competition, panel discussions, live DJ sets and food trucks. It’s the festival’s first time in the city, and it’s free and open to the public on Friday and Saturday, according to the organizers.
While only registered competitors will be allowed to scale the curved wall and fall into the water below, a smaller bouldering wall will be on site for guests. Climbing legends like Alex Honnold (of 2018 National Geographic documentary “Free Solo” fame) and Chris Sharma, as well as Hood Hikers founder Jasmine Guadalupe and Bridge Runners founder Mike Saes, are expected to participate in panels on Saturday, along with other athletes.
The competition on the 55-foot wall kicks off on Friday morning, with more than 100 competitors across open and paraclimbing categories. The water below the wall will be deep enough to ensure safe falls, and the wall is wide enough for two identical climbing routes, organizers said.
Competitors must be at least 18 years old and able to swim. Winners in each category will receive $4,000 for first place, $2,000 for second and $500 for third.
A water safety team and medic will be on hand for any potential issues, and ropes are available for anyone who wants to use them, according to The North Face. Movement Gyms, which has climbing facilities in Gowanus, Long Island City and Harlem, will host the guest-use bouldering wall, and DJ sets will be curated by the Lot Radio. The event takes place rain or shine, and the wall has previously been featured in London, Shanghai and Chicago, where the inaugural festival took place last year.
The festival closes with a party hosted by concert collective Renegade and Brazilian DJ Beltran at 8 p.m. on Saturday. See the full schedule here.
The North Face Climb Festival opens at 10 a.m. on both Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24.