Introduction to Outdoor Climbing

Learn baseline skills for climbing outside on single pitch sport climbs.

Based at world-renowned climbing area, City of Rocks, this is the perfect class for gym and/or beginning climbers looking to make the transition to climbing outside. The course will include instructional topics on crag etiquette and Leave No Trace, equipment, anchors for top roping and sport climbing, leading and cleaning sport climbs, and rappelling. The overall focus is to impart foundational risk management skills and introduce best practice techniques for this increasingly popular outdoor sport.

Day 1

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Base Etiquette and LNT (Leave No Trace)
  • Climbing and Equipment Overview
  • Top Rope Setups
  • Movement/Climbing Technique
  • Lead Belaying
  • Lead Climbing

Day 2

  • Movement/Warm-up
  • Lead Climbing
  • Cleaning a Sport Anchor
  • Rappelling Basics
  • Introduction to Falling
  • Intermediate Movement Skills

 Difficulty: No previous outdoor climbing experience is required.

Ideally, participants should already know how to:

  • Properly wear a harness
  • Tie into a rope using the figure 8 follow through
  • Belay a top rope using PBUS method

 Duration: 2 days

 Meeting Time: 9am

 Meeting Location: City of Rocks Visitor Center in Almo

 What We Provide:

  • American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) certified and/or trained instructors, operating within industry accepted scope of practice. SMG is an accredited guide service.
  • Recently revamped curriculum to reflect best practices for managing risk in recreational climbing
  • If needed, SMG can provide all necessary equipment. See the equipment list for recommended gear for each instructional program.

 What You Need:

  • Please review the equipment list and stay in touch with any questions.
  • Closed toe hiking shoes. Please no sandals or flip flops.
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Lodging or camping arrangements for programs at City of Rocks

Ratio: 4:1

 Rates: $450/person (based on 3 person minimum)

 Dates:

  • Saturday & Sunday, May 25-26, 2024
  • Saturday & Sunday, June 8-9, 2024
  • Saturday & Sunday, September 7-8, 2024
  • Saturday & Sunday, September 28-29, 2024