Climb Pocono – To End Cancer

Climb Pocono returns to Camelback Mountain in Tannersville on May 16, challenging participants to ascend the mountain’s 800-foot vertical rise on foot to raise funds for cancer research and support services. The climb runs from 8 a.m. until noon, with staggered start times based on registration, and participants can walk, power-hike, or jog the route at their own pace. Registration fees start around $35 per person, with fundraising minimums encouraged but not required, and all participants receive a commemorative t-shirt and post-climb refreshments. Camelback Mountain Resort sits at 301 Resort Drive in Tannersville, with parking available in the resort’s main lot and overflow areas opening as needed on event day.

Camelback Mountain has operated as a ski resort since 1963, becoming one of the Pocono Mountains’ major four-season recreation destinations with skiing in winter and waterpark attractions in summer. The climb follows Camelback’s ski trails from the base lodge to the summit, creating a steady uphill grade that averages 12 to 15 percent across roughly 1.5 miles. The route showcases views across the Pocono Plateau, a landscape formed by glacial activity during the last ice age that left behind the region’s characteristic lakes, bogs, and rounded mountaintops. On clear days, climbers can see Big Pocono Mountain to the north and the Delaware Water Gap to the east. May weather in the Poconos is typically in the 60s and 70s, ideal for outdoor exertion, though morning temperatures can start in the 50s, making layers advisable for the early start.

The climb attracts cancer survivors, supporters honoring loved ones affected by cancer, fitness enthusiasts, and families looking for a meaningful outdoor challenge. Recent editions have drawn 500 to 800 participants, creating a supportive, emotional atmosphere where personal stories and motivations are shared openly. Water stations are positioned every quarter mile, and medical support is available throughout the route. The climb is family-friendly, with children as young as 8 participating alongside adults, though the sustained uphill grade can be challenging for very young kids or those unused to hiking. Plan for 45 minutes to 90 minutes to reach the summit depending on your pace, with time at the top for photos, rest, and the view before descending via the same route or a gentler access road.

Turn Climb Pocono into a spring Poconos weekend by booking a rental on Lake.com near Tannersville or Big Pocono State Park, where you’ll find mountain properties and lake access within a 15-minute drive. After the climb, reward yourself with lunch at Barley Creek Brewing Company (established 1995) in Tannersville for craft beer and pub fare, or head to Bailey’s Steakhouse (2007) in Scotrun for upscale American dining. The climb pairs naturally with a Sunday visit to Promised Land State Park for easy lakeside walking or a drive through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for waterfall hikes, making it a centerpiece for active travelers seeking physical challenge, community connection, and Pocono scenery in a single spring trip.