Before making your summer outdoor plans in Colorado, take an afternoon to brush up on your mountaineering skills or learn new ones – for free.

The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) – the state’s leading recreation, conservation, and education organization – is proud to announce details of its 10^th annual MountainFest. MountainFest, billed as CMC’s annual “Open House,” begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden.  Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer, ready to climb your first 14er, or new to the Rockies, MountainFest will help prepare you to enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors.

Back for 2012, MountainFest will include free outdoor skills clinics, ranging from rock climbing safety to nutrition to an introduction to fly fishing. Also, back by popular demand – the second annual adult and youth indoor rock climbing competitions. Family-friendly activities will also be available.

The CMC will also provide information about its popular hiking and mountaineering schools, adventure travel opportunities, conservation and youth education programs.  New members who join the Colorado Mountain Club at MountainFest will be eligible for a discount.

The 10^th annual MountainFest wraps up with a free happy hour from Upslope Brewery and live music from Racecar Spelled Backwards. Goody bags valued over $50 will be available for the first 50 CMC memberships sold. Last year’s MountainFest saw 500 participants, sold out three outdoor schools, and generated over 110 CMC memberships.

For more information, visit www.cmc.org/mountainfest