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.

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 multi-pitching?

The private multi-pitch climbing course maximum ratio of clients to guides is 2:1.

Do I need to bring a lunch?

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

What kind of experience should I have before taking this course?

Climbers must be confident in use of equipment including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems. Lead climbing experience is recommended but not required.

Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing

guided multi-pitch rock climbing at Lovers Leap in Lake Tahoe with professional mountain guides

Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing

$649MON – THU

$100 each additional climber

$699FRI – SUN

$100 each additional climber

Intermediate Full Day / 8 Hours Lake Tahoe, CA

Learn how to climb multi-pitch routes with our certified rock guides in Lake Tahoe. This skills day will take you beyond the limitations of a top rope and onto the faces of bigger crags. With the movement and technical skills you have learned in introductory classes or through prior experience, we will leave the ground far behind and show you how the multi-pitch system works. A private multi-pitch climbing course with Alpenglow allows you to pick the date with one of our AMGA-certified rock guides. Call or inquire to check for availability.

Inquire for Dates!

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Female rock climbing guide sorting gear in Lake Tahoe

Intro to Multi-Pitch

Lake Tahoe Intro To Multi-Pitch Course Overview

The urge to scale large cliffs (more than just one rope length) is often magnetic to climbers, and ultimately what draws many of us to the sport. If you wish to push beyond top roping and single-pitch climbing, this day-long course is the one for you.

Many rock objectives around the world require anchor building skills and multi-pitch techniques. The legendary cliffs of Yosemite Valley, for example, are filled with long trad climbs, and this course will prepare you to start tackling classic lines around the world.

After a thorough review of basic technical systems, you will learn the skills needed to safely graduate beyond the single-pitch world. The day culminates with an ascent of a multi-pitch rock climb, putting all your new skills to the test.

Our Intro to Multi-pitch Climbing course will take place on Donner Summit in the Tahoe Truckee region. If you are looking for more personalized education, we can also arrange a private day to take place on the majestic cliffs of Lovers Leap in South Lake Tahoe. This area is known for it’s epic multi-pitch options.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe guide company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks around the world over the last 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved “home mountain”. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been honed from the flanks of the Himalayan giants to the technical peaks of Peru, and we are beyond excited to be able to bring our program to this fantastic mountain. In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), being one of the very few guide services in the region to hold such a high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the terrain in which they operate, and the program is supervised by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, along with our many years of experience, translates to a fantastic 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

Fitness

Climbers should be able to climb for an extended amount of time.

Morning: Meet & Greet
Meet your guide, go over goals for the day.
First Half: Review Skills & Techniques
You’ll review the necessary skills and techniques, like how to belay from above, how to build an appropriate anchor, and how to cast off on lead.
Second Half: Put those skills into Practice
Now it’s time to get off the ground and get some climbing done. Your guide will lead most of the pitches, but if you’re feeling up to it they may allow you to test your mettle on a lead of your own.

Alpenglow’s California Guides

Our Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Guides.

Meet who you will be climbing multi-pitch with in Lake Tahoe

FAQ’s

Multi-pitch Climbing In Lake Tahoe Questions

The answers to our most commonly asked questions about climbing multi-pitch in Lake Tahoe.

: 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.
: 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!
: The private multi-pitch climbing course maximum ratio of clients to guides is 2:1.
: Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.
: Climbers must be confident in use of equipment including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems. Lead climbing experience is recommended but not required.

Equipment

Lake Tahoe Multi-pitch Climbing Equipment List

Here’s what you’ll need.

Download Equipment Link

Select a category

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
Approach Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TX4
Climbing Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TC Pro
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
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
Hiking Pant
Lightweight, durable, quick-drying hiking pant that will be your day-to-day pant during the expedition
Men’s Recommended: Black Diamond Alpine Light Pants
Women’s Recommended: Black Diamond Women’s Alpine Light Pants
Small Backpack
Recommended: Black Diamond Speed 30 Pack
Two 1L Nalgene Bottles
Two 1 Liter Wide Mouth Nalgene bottles.
Recommended: Nalgene 1 L wide mouth
Climbing Harness
Rock climbing harness that has gear loops, adjustable leg loops and waist belts. We recommend a harness that does not require the belt loop to be “double backed”.
Recommended: Black Diamond Zone Harness
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.