Can I book a whole day of climbing with you?

Of course! This would allow you and your family to sample more than one cliff on beautiful Donner Summit.

Do I need to bring a lunch?

Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.

I do not have a harness or helmet. Do you have this available to rent?

While owning your own gear is always the best option, Alpenglow does provide rental gear at no additional cost. Equipment availability varies and is on a first come first serve basis. Please contact the office to inquire about borrowing gear!

What is the typical group size for this trip?

Group sizes can vary depending on the course, however our maximum ratio of clients to guides is 5:1.

What is your local adventures cancellation policy?

Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy

What safety standards do you have?

At Alpenglow, we have only the highest standards of safety and guide qualifications. All of our rock climbing trips are led by AMGA certified SPI’s (single pitch instructors), certified rock instructors or certified rock guides. Our guides have extensive experience and knowledge with technical climbing equipment and risk management to ensure a safe day in the mountains! Furthermore, every Alpenglow program is supervised by an internationally licensed mountain guide (IFMGA/UIAGM). Alpenglow Expeditions is the only guide service in the region with such high standards, your family’s safety is our our top priority.

Where can I purchase trip insurance?

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances. We recommend Spot as a provider of trip insurance. Spot is a 3rd party provider and is not affiliated with Alpenglow Expeditions – please refer to the Spot website or contact Spot directly for all terms and conditions.

Family Rock Climbing with Alpenglow Expeditions

Family Half-Day Rock Climbing

$449Mon – Thurs

$50 Each additional Climber

$499Fri – Sun

$50 Each additional Climber

Introductory 4-hours Lake Tahoe, CA

Enjoy time with family or friends on the beautiful granite cliffs of Lake Tahoe. Family rock climbing days are a great way to explore parts of Tahoe you’ve never seen before. Full-day options available!

May 1 – November 15

Inquire

Private Rock Climbing Intro

Course Overview

Enjoy a classic Lake Tahoe family adventure and go rock climbing on Donner Summit, just outside of Truckee, CA!

The moderate climbing crags of Donner Summit are the perfect place to enjoy rock climbing with a family of varying abilities. If some members are seasoned climbers, we can tailor the day to focus on skill-building and working toward climbing independently. If your family is new to the sport, we handle all safety aspects and provide a fun, supportive day on the rock.

A day with Alpenglow Expeditions includes learning basic knots, how to belay from below, and receiving instruction on climbing movement and technique. The focus remains on fun, safety, and learning to climb in Lake Tahoe. Kids ages 5–12 are welcome to join with a participating or attending adult.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe-based guide company with countless high-altitude expeditions around the world over the past 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved ‘home mountain’. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been shaped on the flanks of Himalayan giants and the technical peaks of Peru, and we’re excited to bring that expertise to this incredible mountain.

In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) — one of the very few guide services in the region to meet this high standard. Every one of our guides is trained by the AMGA for the terrain in which they operate, and our program is overseen by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, combined with years of experience, ensures an exceptional mountain adventure.

Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permit with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyable and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Preparation

Technical

A day of climbing in Lake Tahoe can be enjoyed by anyone. There are no fitness or technical requirements.

Your itinerary will be customized to your goals for the day!: Connect with our team and set your own itinerary

Alpenglow’s California Guides

Our Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Guides.

Meet who you will be rock climbing in Lake Tahoe with.

FAQ

Family Rock Climbing In Lake Tahoe

The answers to all of our most commonly asked questions about climbing with your family in Lake Tahoe.

: Of course! This would allow you and your family to sample more than one cliff on beautiful Donner Summit.
: Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.
: While owning your own gear is always the best option, Alpenglow does provide rental gear at no additional cost. Equipment availability varies and is on a first come first serve basis. Please contact the office to inquire about borrowing gear!
: Group sizes can vary depending on the course, however our maximum ratio of clients to guides is 5:1.
: Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy
: At Alpenglow, we have only the highest standards of safety and guide qualifications. All of our rock climbing trips are led by AMGA certified SPI’s (single pitch instructors), certified rock instructors or certified rock guides. Our guides have extensive experience and knowledge with technical climbing equipment and risk management to ensure a safe day in the mountains! Furthermore, every Alpenglow program is supervised by an internationally licensed mountain guide (IFMGA/UIAGM). Alpenglow Expeditions is the only guide service in the region with such high standards, your family’s safety is our our top priority.
: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances. We recommend Spot as a provider of trip insurance. Spot is a 3rd party provider and is not affiliated with Alpenglow Expeditions – please refer to the Spot website or contact Spot directly for all terms and conditions.

Equipment

Family Rock Climbing Equipment List

All the gear you need for an awesome day of climbing with your family.

Download Equipment Link

Select a category

Approach Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TX4
Climbing Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TC Pro
Small Backpack
Recommended: Black Diamond Speed 30 Pack
Sun Hoodie
Lightweight, long-sleeve sun hoody that is great for protecting from the sun.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Two 1L Nalgene Bottles
Two 1 Liter Wide Mouth Nalgene bottles.
Recommended: Nalgene 1 L wide mouth
Lightweight Top
Ultra-light base layer that effectively wicks moisture away from your body and is breathable. Quick-dry is important as well. One light-colored shirt is recommended for extremely sunny days.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Lightwire Short Sleeve
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Lightwire Short Sleeve
Climbing Pants
Recommended: Rocklock Pants
Hat
Bring your favorite baseball hat for shelter from the sun. No white under the brim – the reflection off of it from the sun is blinding.
Recommended: Black Diamond 5-Panel Synthetic Cap
Sunglasses
Must have dark lenses. Minimal light should come in below, above, or around the sides of the lenses.“Wrap” style is best. Ventilation is important and a retainer strap is very useful (Chums or Croakies).
Recommended: Vuarnet Glacier 01
Technical Kit
While the technical equipment needed for a specific objective and season varies, this basic kit is a great baseline. Your guide will bring gear for you to use during your course, but participants are encouraged to bring some or all of this if you own it or are interested in purchasing it.
1 Cordalette (6mm x 5m/16.4′)
4 locking carabiners
2 non-locking carabiners
1 double-length Dyneema sling
Small prusik loop (6mm x 112cm/44″)
Auto-blocking belay device (eg. ATC guide)
Micro Traxion or similar
Helmet
An easily adjustable lightweight helmet that fits with hat and Balaclava. Make sure this is a climbing-specific helmet. *Climbing helmets are also available to rent (for our introductory climbing courses) at no charge from Alpenglow Expeditions on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Recommended: Black Diamond Vapor Helmet

Testimonials

Alpenglow was an amazing company to work with
Alpenglow was an amazing company to work with from booking to the actual rock climbing lesson. We purchased the half-day lesson on Donner Summit, and were blown away with the knowledge of our guide, Pete. Climbing can be an intimidating sport for people to try, but Pete’s positive and playful personality made the day very enjoyable. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking for a fun and challenging adventure to do solo, with friends or with your family!
Natalie S.