Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition 2025
Come compete in the ultimate bouldering challenge at Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition!
Date and time
Location
Competition Site
1 Tripps Lane Pomona, IL 62975Refund Policy
About this event
The Illinois Climbers Association is proud to present Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition on November 1st, 2025. 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.
Ticket pricing:
- First 100 tickets at $75
- Tickets 101-201 at $85
- Tickets 202-302 at $95
- Regular price at $105
- Competitor registration is capped at 450
- Spectator tickets are $40. Spectators under 13 are $20.
- Spectator tickets are capped at100
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
- Illinois Climbers Association membership and associated perks
Spectator tickets include:
- Spectating to Pilgrimage: The Holy Boulders Competition.
- No spectators are allowed to climb Saturday
- Camping: Friday & Saturday night
- After Party with the Swamp Tigers
- Dinner on Saturday after climbing
- T-shirts available for purchase separately
Food:
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 and available for pickup at the competition. Please order yours when purchasing your ticket.
Women's Categories:
- Beginner (V0-V2)
- Intermediate (V3-V4)
- Advanced (V5-V6)
- Elite (V7+)
Men's Categories:
- Beginner (V0-V2)
- Intermediate (V3-V4)
- Advanced (V5-V7)
- Elite (V8+)
Other Categories:
- Stonemaster - Ages 40-49
- Crusty Stonemaster - Ages 50+
- Circuit master - Most Cumulative Points
- Youth male and 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.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
* The event takes place on private property at 1 Tripps Ln., Pomona IL The public is only permitted here during the competition.
Friday, October 31st
- 2:00 pm - Competition site opens for camping setup
- 5:00 pm - Competitor and spectator check in begins
- 7:00 pm - Climbing film screenings
Saturday, November 1st
- 7:30 am - Registration opens
- 8:00am - Yoga with Ashley
- 9 am - Climbing begins
- 4 pm - Climbing ends
- 5 pm- Awards
- After Party to follow with the Swamp Tigers
Sunday, November 2nd
- Finish yesterday's projects! Pack out all trash.
Frequently asked questions
Parking and camping will be available on site to all competitors and participants Friday and Saturday nights (10/31 & 11/1). Please carpool if you can! This is primitive camping. There are Porta Potty toilets. No electrical hookups or water onsite.
Due to space restriction spectators are $40 to join in the fun and walk through the boulders during the competition. We are capping spectator ticket sales at 100 for 2025. Please note that climbers always have the right of way and ONLY COMPETITORS CAN CLIMB during competition hours!
For raffles and more!
Yes, you can update your registration. Email holyboulderscomp@gmail.com
No dogs allowed. This includes the property where camping is as well as the competition site. Please be respectful.
In event of rain or inclement weather, the competition will be held on Sunday, November 2nd. If a second rain date is required, competitors will be notified of the rescheduled date. Ticket sales are final; there are no refunds.
Please email holyboulderscomp@gmail.com with any additional questions!