Climb Yukon held its annual bouldering competition Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse.

Climb Yukon Project Manager Joti Overduin was at the competition.

“It’s for all ages and we’ve got different categories; open is the more experienced folks. They competed this morning. And then this afternoon, what you see here is all the youth categories, including the Climb Yukon Youth Climbing Team, and then the recreational (climbers). So us folks that don’t consider ourselves advanced but like to get out and climb.

“This is a record turnout for us,” related Overduin. “I think we have about 50 participants this year, so we’re definitely at our max.

“I think we were at about 40 climbers last year and last year was a record-setter, so it’s really growing.

Jackson Long was one of the youth taking part and “just having fun at the climbing competition.”

He was doing a tough climb. “It’s challenging but it’s fun to try.”

Morgan Brown was at the event dressed up as a unicorn.

“It’s a lot of fun … there’s a lot of hard routes, actually. It’s a good mix of levels. They did a really good job of having different styles here.”

Sophia Slater, in a skeleton costume, said it was going “pretty good. I’ve never done one of these before and I’m pretty glad I had a chance to do a non-competitive recreational one.”

This was Slater’s first time competing. “I’ve come out to their bouldering nights but never competed before.”

Anthony Price and Cassidy Caron were dressed up as Dalmatians.

“Someone thought I was a cow,” said Price.

Regarding the climbing, Price said it was “fun. Lots of little people. It’s good for the sport, though.”

Kàłx’òkw (pronounced Kalh-Q-yoke), a teacher from St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction, traveled to the competition with her teaching colleague, Albert Surroca and three youth: Micah Wolf, Tahos Reid and Kàłx’òkw’s nephew, Max Thomson-Ellis of Whitehorse.

“It’s the first time I’ve been to this kind of competition. I’m just here as kind of a supportive adult and excited to get the students involved in climbing. Albert’s really the climbing guy in Haines Junction and he knows what he’s doing.

“Albert’s a certified instructor, and so we’re hoping that he’s going to help carry that forward. He’s moved to Haines Junction recently and is a really amazing new – new blood at our school.”

Surroca said “I’ve been getting some kids into climbing in Haines Junction and we just brought them in today.

“We’re going to start the program, climbing in town, so that’s kind of like the start, and from now on we’re going to have a program going every week.”

Surroca added that the day was going “awesome. So much fun. Lots of people. It’s good.”

Overduin added “We’re really happy to see this turnout and so many young people. Our mission as an organization is to promote the sport of indoor climbing, so it’s really exciting for us to see the community getting together and enjoying this.

“It’s such a wonderful activity for youth and for all ages, especially to have something to do indoors to stay physically fit but not just physically; emotionally and mentally too.”