Men's Journal

Photo credit: Courtesy of Austin City Limits

With September in the rearview, keep rolling full-steam into the fall with some autumn bouldering in Bear Valley, an arts festival with a backdrop of Mt. Rainier in Washington, and a star-studded music bash down in Austin.

By Steven Kurtz and Nate Storey

Austin City Limits Music Festival, October 2-4
Austin, Texas

For years now, Austin Texas has been recognized as one of the best music towns in the country, so it’s no surprise that one of the best music festivals year after year takes place there. This weekend, Zilker Park will play host to Austin City Limits Music Festival for its eighth year. Big name headliners like Dave Matthews Band and Pearl Jam are exciting, but the real essence of the weekend is the smaller bands that get a chance to play on the big stage. “The Sound and the Jury” battle of bands competition actually gives up-and-coming bands the opportunity to perform at ACL if they are voted in by online listeners. Be sure to check out one of the aftershows at one of the many famous local venues in Austin. It’s a chance to see some big name acts play in a smaller setting after hours.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Although there are no festival hotel packages, there are plenty of options. If you prefer camping, there are a few campsites as well.

Rainier Arts Festival, October 2-4
Ashford, Washington

Head to beautiful Ashford, Washington this weekend to get away from the crowds for the 3rd annual Rainier Arts Festival. Featuring art inspired by the natural splendor of Mt. Rainier, the festival offers art for sale and auction, as well as live music and art workshops. Admission to the festival and all workshops is free, so don’t miss the “clay classroom” or “Landscape Photography 101.” Of course, you can’t plan a trip to this area without visiting Mt. Rainier National Park. There are plenty of activities in the park including scenic drives, rock climbing, and hiking. Just make sure you plan for the weather accordingly because you never know when you might get an early October snowfall in the mountains.

Travel and Accommodation
Ashford isn’t close to a major airport, so your best bet is to fly into Seattle and make the scenic two-hour drive. There are plenty of places to camp and lodge in the area, with several offering discounted rates to festival-goers.

Bear Valley Boulder Bash
Bear Valley, CA

If you’re aching for that fall climb, split to the Sierra Mountains this weekend for the Bear Valley Boulder Bash. Climbers will go to work on the numerous granite boulders that pepper the Hell’s Kitchen section of the valley. There’s $2000 worth of prizes for the various competitions that will be doled out through the weekend ($35, competitions for all skill levels). On Sunday, don’t miss the chance to hone your skills in one of the many climbing workshops. If you’re looking to up the degree of difficulty in your climbs, sign up for the Crack Climb Workshop ($75) and work on jamming, liebacks, and opposing forces. If you need more technical guidance, master the delicate art of placing gear in the Gear and Anchor Workshop where you’ll practice with nuts, hexes, tri-cams and camming devices ($125). If you’d rather branch out and explore the rest of Bear Valley’s gorgeous landscape and sick climbs then join up with the free Bear Valley Bouldering Adventure, which goes out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Travel and Accommodation
Both Sacramento and Reno are about two hours from Bear Valley. Bear Valley Lodge is 200 yards away from base camp and light on the wallet at $85 a night. If you’d prefer to camp, conifer-drenched Silvertip is only three miles away and close to Lake Alpine.

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