Rock Climbing Courses: Choose the One That’s Right for You
Written by Robert Kyte
At Alpenglow Expeditions, it is our mission to offer an array of options wide enough to accommodate climbers of any experience level. Whether you’re brand new to the sport, a gym climber looking to make the leap outside, or a seasoned ascensionist looking to hone your skills, our guides are ready to cater a personal rock experience to achieve any goal.
Nonetheless, such an expanse of opportunity can be overwhelming when deciding which of our courses best suits your individual or group needs. We’ve put together this brief guide to provide a basic overview of all our offerings for rock climbing so that you can decide what’s best for you, ordered by recommended skill level. As always, if you have any questions about our courses, feel free to give us a call or inquire online.
*note for all courses: all necessary equipment, including approach shoes, can be rented from our shop
Beginner Courses
Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing
Our most basic course. A day on our Intro to Rock Climbing Course will equip you with the foundational skills to begin climbing outside on your own. You’ll learn how to move efficiently, how to belay, and the importance of good communication between you and your partner. This course is perfect for people brand new to climbing, or gym climbers who are ready to start climbing outside.
Price: $225/person midweek, $249/person weekends
Duration: 1 Day
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy footwear recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: No previous climbing experience necessary, good physical shape recommended
Dates: Available dates listed on the COURSE WEBPAGE.
Rock Anchoring and Gear Placement
Looking to become a more self-sufficient climber? Want to learn how to set up your own top-rope anchors and learn about technical climbing systems? If so, then our course on anchors and gear placement is right for you. In this course, you will learn about concepts related to all types of anchoring, learn equalization principles, and effective rope management.
Price: $249/person midweek, $275/person weekend
Duration: 1 Day
Prerequisites: Climbers must have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems.
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Dates: Available dates listed on the COURSE WEBPAGE.
Intermediate Courses
Learn to Lead Climb
Learning how to safely lead is an important part of advancing your climbing skills, and will open up a vast array of opportunities for climbing adventures. This course is taught in small groups by one of our experienced instructors to ensure that everyone receives equal attention while learning how to lead. To ensure a sufficient safety margin, all leads in this course will be backed up by a top-rope so that you can learn to lead in a controlled environment with minimal risk.
Price: $249/person midweek, $275/person weekend
Duration: 1 Day
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: Climbers must have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems.
Dates: Available dates listed on the COURSE WEBPAGE.
Intro to Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing
This course ventures far beyond the limitations of a top-rope climbing experience to get you comfortable high up on the wall. Adding multi-pitch skills to your arsenal will grant you access to unique terrain that few people get to experience, and doing so under the supervision of one of our AMGA-certified instructors ensures that you are doing so in the safest manner possible. This course entails a thorough review of basic climbing systems and movement on the wall, and culminates with a guided multi-pitch climb. Our multi-pitch courses are exclusively private enrollment—call or email to schedule a day with one of our guides.
Price: $525/person midweek, $575/person weekend; $100 per additional climber, maximum client:guide ratio of 2:1
Duration: 1 Day
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: Climbers must be in good physical shape and have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems.
Dates: private enrollment, call or email to book
Self Rescue for Rock Climbers
Have you ever considered what might happen if your leader is injured and can’t be lowered back to the ground? Simple mistakes have high consequences in the mountains, and it is important to be sure that you are equipped to address problems while climbing in a calm, systematic manner.
Skills covered include:
• Technical systems review, including belaying off the anchor
• Belay escapes
• Rope ascending and descending
• Counter balance ascending and descending with an injured climber
• Raising systems, including 3:1 and 5:1
• Lowering systems with a knot pass
Price: $249/person midweek, $275/person weekend
Duration: 1 Day
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: Climbers must be in good physical shape and have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems. Lead climbing experience is recommended, but not required.
Dates: Available dates listed on the COURSE WEBPAGE.
Lovers Leap Rock Climbing
The cliffs at Lovers Leap have attracted the gaze of climbers for generations. Our course at Lovers Leap is your opportunity to see this world-class climbing area up close and personal. Known for its consistent exposure level, the Leap offers a wide range of easy to moderate climbs (5.6 – 5.10), making the stunning views widely accessible to climbers with the skills to access its high reaches. Most climbs at Lovers Leap are multi-pitch, but easygoing grades offer something for everyone.
Guide’s Tip: “The Leap” is ideal midweek, when we can avoid the weekend crowds and enjoy some of our favorite climbs at a more relaxed pace.
Price: $525/person midweek, $575/person weekend; $100 per additional climber, maximum client:guide ratio of 24:1
Duration: 1 Day
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: Climbers must be in good physical shape and have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems. Lead climbing experience is recommended, but not required.
Dates: private enrollment, call or email to book
Advanced Courses
High Sierra Alpine Climbing
The 14,000 ft. peaks of the High Sierra await.
Generally devoid of crowds, there is a reason that the High Sierra is Alpenglow’s favorite place to climb. World-class routes, stunning backdrops, stable weather patterns, and the feeling of really being out there makes alpine climbing in the High Sierra an absolute must for those seeking a true adventure. What’s more: climbing with Alpenglow removes all the stress and difficulties of planning an excursion to the High Sierra. Our guides have been climbing these peaks for decades, and acutely manage risk to ensure maximum safety up high so that you can focus purely on having fun and achieving your alpine goals.
Our High Sierra courses are highly customizable. Give us a call to start planning your dream adventure in The Range of Light.
Price: $525/person midweek, $575/person weekend; $100 per additional climber
Duration: Flexible, generally a multi-day excursion
Gear Requirements: climbing shoes, climbing harness, climbing helmet (sturdy approach shoes recommended for hiking to the wall)
Prerequisites: Climbers must be in good physical shape, be able to hike for multiple hours carrying a backpack, and have basic rock climbing experience including belaying, rappelling and use of top rope systems. Lead climbing experience is recommended, but not required.
Dates: private enrollment, call or email to book
Give us a call today to book your custom rock climbing experience.