Can I customize a day for my group?

Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures. Booking a private day gives you the freedom to tailor the day around your goals, pace, and group size.

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.

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.

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!

Do I need to bring a lunch?

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

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.

What is your local adventures cancellation policy?

Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy

Private Full-Day of Rock Climbing

$649Mon – Thurs

$100 each additional climber

$699Fri – Sun

$100 each additional climber

Introductory Full Day / 8 Hours Donner Summit, CA

Climb the world-class rock around Lake Tahoe, CA. This private day of climbing is a perfect way to get outside and accomplish your rock climbing goals. A private full day of rock climbing with Alpenglow allows you to customize your day with one of our AMGA-certified rock guides. Give us a call to start planning your guided rock climbing adventure in California.

Summer ’25May – October

Inquire

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

Private Rock Intro

Rock Climbing In Lake Tahoe Overview

Alpenglow Expeditions’ full day of guided rock climbing will be run in accordance with your schedule and demands.

We offer a wide range of options, from introductory courses to multi-pitch adventures on some of the best rock in the United States. If you have specific goals or skills you want to learn, we’re excited and ready to guide and organize nearly any adventure. Over the years we’ve developed an intimate knowledge of our Sierra Nevada playground, allowing us to create truly unmatched experiences. Share your ideas and goals — and let us organize your dream adventure!

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 honed on the flanks of Himalayan giants and the technical peaks of Peru, and we are excited to bring that depth of expertise to our home mountains.

In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), one of the very few guide services in the region to meet this high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the specific terrain in which they operate, and our program is overseen by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, combined with our many years of experience, ensures a truly 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

Whether you have no experience rock climbing or are an an accomplished mountaineer, we are able to cater to all needs and goals in the mountains.

You Tell Us!: What are your goals?
From a single day climbing in Lake Tahoe, to private skills clinics, to multi-day climbing trips in the Eastern Sierra, we can do it all. Let us know what your goals are, and together we will build out an incredible adventure.
8-9am: Planning and Execution
Typically you will meet at the crag between 8am – 9am, but you’ll hash out the plan with your guide beforehand. We’ll spend the day climbing or working on skills as you see fit – the day is yours! Wrap up is generally around 4pm.
9am-4pm: Time to Climb!

Alpenglow’s California Guides

Our Lake Tahoe Rock Guides.

Meet who you will be climbing in Lake Tahoe with.

FAQ’s

Lake Tahoe Guided Rock Climbing Questions

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

: Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures. Booking a private day gives you the freedom to tailor the day around your goals, pace, and group size.
: 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.
: Group sizes can vary depending on the course, however our maximum ratio of clients to guides is 5:1.
: 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!
: Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.
: 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.
: Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy

Equipment

Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing Equipment List

Here’s what you need to rock climb in Tahoe.

Download Equipment Link

Select a category

Approach Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TX4
Climbing Shoes
Recommended: La Sportiva TC Pro
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
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
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
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
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.