The Canmore Climbing Festival is heading into its second year running. Sonnie Trotter started the event, which is hoping to fill 250 seats at the Canmore high school this Fri. Aug. 12. Here are five great reasons to attend this year.

1. Alex Megos is Presenting

Arguably one of the world’s top three climbers, German Alex Megos has been in the Bow Valley for nearly two weeks. He has made the first ascents of a number of 5.14s at different crags. One day, he climbed the new Full Nelson 5.14d and Bunda de Fora 5.14d at Acephale. He is currently projecting Canada’s first 5.15 at Ravens Crag near Banff. He is known as one of the most disciplined climbers when it comes to training and projecting.

Amazing couple of days at Accephale in Canmore! Yesterday did an ascent of "Bunda de Fora" 5.14d (9a) 3rd try and "Kinder Surprise" 5.14c (8c+) 2nd try and the first ascent of "Full Nelson" 5.14d (9a) 3rd try! And today second try ascents of "Existence Mundane" 5.14b (8c), "Prime Time" 5.14c (8c+) and "Shine" 5.14b (8c)! Here in Canmore for the @canmoreclimbing_festival next week! @patagonia_climb @redbulladventure @dmm_wales @tenayaclimbing @sterlingrope @entreprisesclimbing @cafekraft_nueremberg @aeetechnologyde #canmore #banffnationalpark @sonnietrotter

A photo posted by @alexandermegos on Aug 1, 2016 at 9:27pm PDT

2. Tim Emmett is Presenting

Tim Emmett is an energetic British-now-Canadian crusher with first ascents in a number of countries. He recently sent The Path 5.14R at Lake Louise after sticking to a strict training routine. Emmett is also a leading ice and mixed climber with top finishes at Ice World Cups and first ascents of big mixed routes.

A photo posted by Tim Emmett (@timemmett) on Jun 30, 2016 at 7:32am PDT

3. Fundraiser for CICS

The Canmore Indoor Climbing Society (CICS) has been supporting youth climbing in Canmore for years. It has helped a number of strong climbers make it to the Canadian Team and win National competitions. With climbing in the Olympics, there is no better time to support such an important organization.

Wow. What a weekend! Finished off the last National Championships of my youth career with a 2nd place in Junior and a 4th place in open in front of a hometown crowd ? I would be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat disappointed about the move where I fell in finals because I felt like I had so much energy left to give but I felt like overall I climbed the route well and most importantly the girl who took the top spot on the podium was my twin sister Sara who more then deserves it!! ? I would like to thank each and everyone one of you who has supported me over the years of youth competition, Canmore is such a special community and I am honoured to have been able to share my love for the sport with you all. A massive thank you to my coaches from this season Chris, Eugene and Kate and to all the coaches who helped me become the athlete I am today. A huge thank you to the setters this weekend for putting on a great comp and to my sponsors Flashed and LaSportiva. But the biggest and most important thank you goes to my amazing parents. Mom and Dad thank you for the countless years of driving us to comps at 6am, being there for us when we had the climb of our lives and being there when we came down from the wall in tears. Love you guys so much. Lastly I wanted to say congrats to everyone who competed! You are all incredibly tallented and I can't wait to see what each and every one of you accomplish over the next years. Sorry for the rant :p @flashedclimbing @sara_frangos @lasportivana @monikahelbig @stevefrangos photo by Shane Murdoch

A photo posted by Becca Frangos (@becca_frangos) on May 30, 2016 at 8:56am PDT

4. Chin-Up Contest

Nothing says climbing festival like a good old chin-up contest. Let’s just hope Alex Megos doesn’t enter.

Here's a sweet #tbt! Last year we had a pull-up contest (as seen by @andy_a_arts in this photo) and @becca_frangos and @andrew__funk showed us their strength and dominated! This year, we've upped our game and we cannot wait see the results …. ??? #canmoreclimbingfestival #getstoked #crushers

A photo posted by Canmore Climbing Festival (@canmoreclimbing_festival) on Jul 21, 2016 at 3:50pm PDT

5. Lots of Free Stuff!

Sonnie Trotter has accumulated boxes full of free gear to give away, from new ropes to technical jackets. For tickets head to Vertical Addiction in Canmore. For an interview with owner Benoit Gosselin see here.

Another little sneak-peek at some more silent auction items; thanks @patagonia! These sure are some beautiful jackets up for grabs!! #canmoreclimbingfestival #newgear #stoked #nevertoomanyjackets

A photo posted by Canmore Climbing Festival (@canmoreclimbing_festival) on Aug 11, 2016 at 2:30pm PDT