Since its inception in 2005 (held at Sportrock Sterling!), Beat the Heat has become a cornerstone of the Washington D.C. area climbing community. This annual event was the brainchild of Lillian Chao-Quinlan, who envisioned a celebration to deepen the bonds among local climbers. Over nearly two decades, Beat the Heat has evolved into the DMV’s longest-running single-day climbing festival!
Community Roots
Beat the Heat is not just an event—it’s an institution. Each year, climbers of all ages and skill levels come together to celebrate and compete in a two-hour qualifying round of bouldering, followed by an exciting finals round (now held the in the Sportrock Performance Institute) that has attracted local crushers and professional climbers like Paul Robinson! Over the years, the event has expanded to include a rope climbing competition and fun activities like crate stacking.
Why Beat the Heat Matters
Sportrock has been around for over 30 years. As one of the original climbing gyms in the country Beat the Heat embodies our core pillars: Routesetting, Origional, Community, Knowledge!
See you all in August!