Intro to Climbing

Season:

If you've new to climbing or climbing outside, this is the place to start.

Intro to Climbing is a comprehensive course on the foundational skills of rock climbing. You'll experience the exciting world of rock climbing under the supervision of our expert AMGA Certified Rock Guides.

Throughout the day you'll learn the skills to climb safely and get first hand experience on the rock.

Quick Info

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Skill Level:

Beginner

Length:

6 - 8 hours

Group Size:

1 to 6 people

Overview

This course provides an overview of rock climbing. Through hands on lessons and practice on the rock, you'll learn the skills to climb safely using the proper climbing equipment. We cover the basics of

Tying into the rope
Belaying for our friends
Safety protocols
Understanding dangers in climbing
Foundational top rope anchors
Climbing movement to help you succeed
- Unlocking how to edge, smear, and shift your center of gravity enable you to have success on the rock
- Learn from our experts how to build good skills and reach your goals
Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics
Gear uses and recommendations
Resources for next steps and continued learning

By the end of this course, participants will have a solid understanding of rock climbing and the confidence to further pursue the sport. We'll give you the resources to continue your climbing journey whatever direction you want to take it.

Do I need my own equipment? Nope, we can provide all the needed gear, you'll just need footwear to walk around and clothes that don't restrict your movement.

What if I want to come down? At any point if you want to come down you just need to sit in your harness and we can lower you back to the ground.

What if I'm not that strong? Climbing is all about balance and using your feet to push your body upward. You don't need a strong upper body and we'll cover good technique to help you up the climbs. We also start on routes easy enough for you to learn and build confidence.

Isn't it scary? Modern climbing ropes haven't been around nearly as long as humans. It's normal to have some fear of heights, but with our safety equipment you'll be secured from above so you can't fall.

What happens if it rains? If it's too wet to climb the guide will make the call to cancel the day and you can reschedule or get a refund.

Is climbing right for me? YES! Climbing is for everyone! We know everyone isn't going to love climbing as much as we do, but it's a great option for anyone.

Why do people climb? There are so many amazing aspects to climbing. It has a wonderful community, a great reason to travel to new places, excellent exercise, can get you to places with gorgeous views, the challenge is an intriguing mental puzzle, overcoming challenges is incredibly rewarding, spending time in nature is restorative. There are many reasons to climb, come find yours!

Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Climbing Equipment:

Helmet
Shoes
Harness

*You can rent all of this from Peak Ascents free of charge
**All helmets and harnesses must be UIAA certified for climbing use.

Other Gear:

Appropriate footwear for hiking on rocky, uneven ground.
Athletic clothing that doesn't restrict your movement.
Layers for insulation, it can get cold any time of year in the mountains.
Rain jacket/pants. While we hope for nice weather, we can often still climb when it's a bit rainy so it's nice to stay dry when walking around.
Lunch & Snacks - your body needs food to keep moving.
2+ Liters of water, at least 3 for a hot day.
Sunscreen (we recommend SPF 50 or higher).
Personal care items such as medications, skin care, etc.
Backpack (25-35L) to fit all your gear inside.