Learn to Rock Climb in Tahoe with Alpenglow Expeditions!

Learn the basics of rock climbing movement, belaying, and the importance of good communication while enjoying perfect weather and panoramic views on Donner Summit. This course requires a 2-person minimum. Consider booking a Half or Full Day Private climbing session outside of summer months.

Intro To Rock Climbing

$275Per Person

Introductory Full Day / 8 Hours Lake Tahoe, CA

Learn the basics of rock climbing movement, belaying, and the importance of good communication while enjoying perfect weather and panoramic views on Donner Summit. This course requires a 2-person minimum. Consider booking a Half or Full Day Private climbing session outside of summer months.

September 2, 2023

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Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing

Course Overview

Learn to Move in the Vertical World

Whether you’re brand new to climbing or looking to make the jump from gym to crag, our professional guides are here to show you the way! This one-day course will introduce you to the joys of rock climbing on the beautiful Donner Summit and equip you with important fundamental skills to begin your rock climbing career.

Missing any of the necessary gear to join us? Alpenglow Expeditions provides rental gear at no additional charge. You just need to bring your enthusiasm to learn and we’ll provide the rest.

SKILLS COVERED

-Climbing movement, including crack, face, slab and lieback technique
-Crag safety and risk management
-Basic principles of climbing technical systems
-Belaying a climber in a top rope system
-Rappelling, utilizing a backup
-Proper belayer/ climber commands
-Leave No Trace ethics in a crag environment
Prerequisites: No previous climbing experience necessary

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

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

Technical

No prior rock climbing experience is required!

8:30am: Meet & Greet

Meet your guide and set goals for the day.
8:45 – 12pm: Morning Climb

Begin learning the necessary skills such as belaying, commands and movement.
12 – 12:30pm: Lunch

Take a break and put some calories in for the afternoon session.
12:30 – 3:30pm: Afternoon Climb

Build on the skills learned during the morning session. Try some harder climbs or work on technique.

Our Guides

Meet Your Guides

FAQ’s

The answers to our most commonly asked questions.

: 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.
: 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.

Equipment

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: Alpenglow Hat
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: Vaurnet Ice Rounds
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 Technician Alpine Pant

Women’s Recommended: Black Diamond Technician Alpine Pant
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

Experiences

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.