A MIDWEST WOMEN'S CLIMBING GATHERING

Beta Bust is a weekend of climbing and camping that welcomes and supports women and genderqueer climbers - including trans and gender-nonconforming folks.

Enjoy the beauty of Devil's Lake, learn key skills, share stories around the campfire, and climb with folks from all around the Midwest.

Devil’s Lake, Baraboo, WI

Stay tuned for 2025 dates!

Climbing is available at Devil's Lake (trad, top rope, bouldering), Hillbilly Hollow (trad, sport, scramble for top rope on a few) (45 minutes North), or Necedah (trad and sport) (45-60 Northwest).

Registration

Registration for Beta Bust 2024 is closed.

Schedule

Friday, September 27
5pm-8pm: Check-in at Skillet Creek Campground.

7pm: Trivia! Free for all attendees to play and prizes for top scoring team.

Saturday, September 28

7:30am: Meet up with your DLCG guide or head out to climb on your own.

6pm: Skillzboard mini clinic: "Going Down? From Standard to Improved Ways to Rappel" - free for all attendees

7pm: Beta Bust BINGO! Free for all attendees and many prizes to be won!

Sunday, September 29

12pm: Check-out deadline for the campsite.

2024 Clinics

Clinics taught by Devils Lake Climbing Guides. Please see their weather and cancellation policy prior to registering for a clinic.

You must register for Beta Bust prior to registering for a clinic.

Open Climbing

Saturday, September 28th, 2024 | 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM | $95

Climb, grow, learn & laugh with like-minded WTFNB climbers. Instructors will set up a variety of top-rope routes for participants to climb. Participants will learn to belay, if needed, and spend the day climbing and building community within a supportive environment. Open Top-Rope is similar to showing up at a climbing gym to climb... the gear is included, and the ropes are up; all you need to do is connect with a belay partner, tie in and start climbing.

Prerequisites: None! We welcome & accommodate all experience levels. We provide all climbing gear.

*You must be enrolled in Beta Bust to participate. This trip will not run if less than 12 participants enroll*

Anchors Refresher & Climbing Social

Saturday, September 28th, 2024 | 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM | $175

Regain confidence in your anchoring skills and build upon your current skillset. Whatever your prior experience, we'll refresh and take your anchoring knowledge to the next level! We'll build anchors and climb on them together throughout the day. The curriculum and route selection will be customized to the current skillset and learning goals of the participants.

Prerequisites: Participants should have experience building traditional anchors using natural and/or traditional protection.

*You must be enrolled in Beta Bust to participate. This trip will not run if less than 3 participants enroll*

Intro to Traditional Lead Climbing

Saturday, September 28th, 2024 | 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM | $195

This course teaches the fundamentals of traditional lead climbing in a safe, supportive environment. This course will review traditional gear placement, and build fundamental lead climbing skills. We will emphasize placing solid gear on lead, artfully belaying a lead climber, and route-reading and risk-management considerations.

You don't need to have any prior lead climbing experience - or even be ready to lead - before taking this course. We teach all lead climbing curricula on "mock-lead," meaning the leader is always connected to a top-rope system in addition to a lead rope. Meanwhile, your instructor provides in-the-moment feedback, consultation and reassurance.

Prerequisites: Climbers should be familiar with traditional protection and have some experience placing gear and building traditional anchors.

*Note: This course does not include or focus on sport lead climbing.

*You must be enrolled in Beta Bust to participate. This trip will not run if less than 3 participants enroll*

Donate

Beta Bust is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, run entirely by volunteers. If you want to help us improve the experience for all participants, you can donate to our Venmo! All donations are unrestricted.

FAQ

The Answers You Need

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO ATTEND BETA BUST?

You must register for Beta Bust (which you can do so here) and you will also need to sign a liability waiver.

WHAT CLIMBING GEAR SHOULD I BRING?

Depending on where you climb, you could need different gear.

If you plan to rope climb at Devil’s Lake, you will need a harness, shoes, rope, helmet, and any natural anchors setting or trad gear you have. There are no bolts or bolted anchors at Devil’s Lake. If you will be top roping, you must be able to set anchors using traditional gear. Check out this helpful link to get recommendations on what to use (gear needed will greatly vary depending on the area you choose to climb). If this is not something you are comfortable or prepared for, we encourage you to register for the Open Climb Clinic.
If you plan to boulder at Devil’s Lake, you should bring crash pads.
If you plan to go to climb at Necedah, you will want to bring your harness, shoes, rope, helmet, and quickdraws.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY CLIMBING GEAR?

We would strongly recommend signing up for the Open Climb clinic with Devil’s Lake Climbing Guides for the day. They will provide all the gear and instruction you need to enjoy a day of climbing safely. Beta Bust organizers are not organizing any climbing and we do not lend out gear.

WHAT TYPE OF CLIMBING IS AVAILABLE?

Devil’s Lake offers bouldering, tope rope, and trad climbing.
Necedah has bolted sport climbing, trad, and mixed routes.

WHAT ARE GOOD GUIDEBOOKS FOR THE AREA?

Devil’s Lake: A Climbing Guide by Jay Knower (this also includes Necedah and Hillbilly Hollow)
Devil’s Lake Bouldering by Ian Cotter-Brown
Mountain Project
- Devil’s Lake
- Necedah

HOW WILL CAMPING WORK?

Camping is at Skillet Creek Campground outside of Devil's Lake. Click here for their website. After you check in at the Beta Bust table, organizers will direct you where to set up your text in sites 201, 202, 203. You do not need to check in at the Campground Office.
NOTE: If you are tent camping, please drop off your gear and then park at the front entrance area after you check in. Parking will be upfront in the field to the right of the driveway when you come in. Near campsite 08 on the map.
Here is a Map of the campground for your reference. (link: https://www.skilletcreekcampground.com/map/)
Check out is by noon on Sunday, September 29
Please remember, no hammocks slung on trees.
You will be expected to follow the Campground Rules.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

This event will run rain or shine. Please dress accordingly and be ready for any weather. Wisconsin can be a wild one sometimes. We suggest bringing warm clothes for the evenings, including winter hats and gloves. Plan to layer up for climbing during the day. We also suggest a raincoat just in case.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT OR I NEED TO CANCEL MY REGISTRATION?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds. Contact us at admin@betabustmidwest.org with any questions.

IS FOOD PROVIDED?

Meals are not provided. Please bring all your meals, drinks, and snacks. There are some nearby stores and restaurants, but nothing super close to the campsite so be prepared.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET INTO DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK?

All cars entering the park require either an annual pass or a day pass for Devil’s Lake State Park. These can be purchased at the entrances or parking lots. When leaving the campground Saturday morning, try to carpool to the park to cut down on this cost. The cost of a day pass is $13/per day for WI residents and $16/day for non-residents.

ARE THERE CLINICS OFFERED?

Devil’s Lake Climbing Guides will offer clinics for those interested. These are for a separate fee paid directly to the guides. See our website for details and links to register for the clinics. You are not required to do a clinic to participate in Beta Bust.

WHAT IF I AM COMING ALONE? ARE BETA BUST EVENT ORGANIZERS LEADING ANY CLIMBING GROUPS?

We would strongly recommend signing up for the Open Climb clinic with Devil’s Lake Climbing Guides for the day. They will provide all the gear and instruction you need to enjoy a day of climbing safely. Otherwise if you are experienced and have gear, Friday night will be a great time to meet a potential climbing partner. The Beta Bust event organizers do not organize your climbing for you.