Do I need to bring a lunch?

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

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.

Will I be able to confidently build anchors after taking this course?

Yes, once you’ve gone through this day long course you will be able to assess and build an anchor in a variety of scenarios.

What is the typical group size for this climbing course?

Group sizes can vary depending on the course, however our maximum ratio of clients to guides is 4:1.

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 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.

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.

Learn Rock Anchoring in Tahoe with Alpenglow Expeditions

Rock climbing guide teaching a rock climbing course at Donner Summit in Lake Tahoe.

Rock Anchoring & Gear Placement

$329per person

Introductory 1 full day (8 hours) Donner Summit

Advance your rock climbing with certified rock guides in Lake Tahoe. Become familiar with equalization principles and protection used in rock climbing. Learn how to safely set up your own top-rope systems, perform a top-belay, create a master point, how to build trad anchors and properly utilize natural anchors, and how to place trad gear while climbing. This Lake Tahoe rock climbing course is intended to leave you with the skills necessary to become more self-sufficient on the rock.

May 31

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Rock climbing guide teaching a gear placement course in Lake Tahoe.

Rock Climbing Programs

Rock Anchoring & Gear Placement Course Overview

This rock climbing skills day is for climbers who are looking to expand their skills and learn the techniques to become more self-sufficient and confident.

Our Tahoe rock guides will introduce the concepts relating to all types of anchors used in rock climbing, and the student will come away from the course ready to set up and use their own top rope anchors, and have a much better understanding of technical systems used in rock climbing. The ultimate goal is that climbers will walk away from this course with the practical skills to safely pursue their own climbing adventures.

If you already own climbing shoes, harness, helmet, or other climbing gear, feel free to bring them along. Alpenglow provides harnesses, helmets, and shoes free of charge if needed. If you do require climbing shoes, please state so on your application, along with your shoe size.

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

Technical

There are no fitness or technical requirements.

8:30AM: Meet and Greet
8:45- 12PM: Field Session
Begin learning anchoring skills in various settings with different types of gear and terrain features.
12- 12:30PM: Lunch
12:30 – 3:00 PM: Afternoon Skills Session
Continue working on skills.

Alpenglow’s California Guides

Our Tahoe Rock Climbing Guides.

Meet who you will be climbing with in Lake Tahoe.

FAQ’s

Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Course Questions

The answers to all of our most commonly asked questions about our climbing course.

: 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.
: Yes, once you’ve gone through this day long course you will be able to assess and build an anchor in a variety of scenarios.
: Group sizes can vary depending on the course, however our maximum ratio of clients to guides is 4:1.
: 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!
: 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.
: 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

Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Equipment List

Here’s what you’ll need to take our rock climbing course.

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: Vuarnet 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
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.