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.

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 kind of experience should I have before booking a day of climbing?

You can have no experience or be an accomplished mountaineer. We’re able to cater to all needs and goals in the mountains.

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.

Do I need to bring lunch?

It is not required to bring a lunch, however, we recommended to bring plenty of snacks and water.

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.

Private Half-Day of Rock Climbing

$449Mon – Thurs

$50 Each Additional Climber

$499Fri – Sun

$50 Each Additional Climber

Introductory Half Day / 4 Hours Donner Summit, CA

Enjoy spending time with family and friends on the beautiful granite cliffs of Donner Summit with one of our AMGA-certified rock guides. Give us a call to start planning your rock climbing adventure in Lake Tahoe. Explore the world-class rock of Lake Tahoe with your family and friends. This private day is the perfect way to step into the vertical world. Half or full-day options are available!

May 01 – Nov 15Booking Summer ’25 NOW

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Private Half Day of Rock Climbing with Alpenglow Expeditions

Private Rock Climbing Intro

Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Overview

Come rock climbing on Donner Summit, just outside of Truckee, CA!

These easy to moderate climbing crags are the perfect place to enjoy rock climbing with friends and family. Whether you’re new to climbing, experienced, or somewhere in between, our guides tailor each day to your specific needs, goals, and abilities. Share your ideas and ambitions with us — and let us customize the perfect day for you!

For beginners, a day with Alpenglow Expeditions includes learning basic knots, belay techniques, and climbing movement. The focus is always on fun, safety, and learning. If you’re already experienced, let’s chat about how you’d like to spend your day on the rock.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe-based guide company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks 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 are 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 few guide services in the region to meet this high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the specific terrain where they operate, and our program is overseen by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, combined with our 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

Anyone can enjoy a day of rock climbing in Lake Tahoe. There are no fitness or technical requirements.

You tell us –: Let us know what your goals are
Whether you’d like to learn basic rock climbing skills, focus on a specific method or style of climbing, or send as many different routes as possible, you and your guide will work together to create the perfect day.
For half days, we usually meet at the crag between 8am-9am, or 12pm-1pm. From there, it’s up to you how the day plays out. For an introductory climbing day, we’ll spend a few minutes going over the basics of climbing safety and movement before tying in. If you are already experienced, we can get on the wall right away.

Alpenglow’s California Guides

Our Lake Tahoe Rock Guides

Meet who you will be climbing with in Lake Tahoe

FAQ

Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Questions

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

: Of course! This would allow you and your family to sample more than one cliff on beautiful Donner Summit.
: 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
: You can have no experience or be an accomplished mountaineer. We’re able to cater to all needs and goals in the mountains.
: 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.
: It is not required to bring a lunch, however, we recommended to bring plenty of snacks and water.
: 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 climb in Lake Tahoe.

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.