Course Overview
Whether you’re a gym climber ready to take it outside, a recent mountaineering course graduate eyeing more technical objectives like Forbidden Peak, or a mountaineer looking to sharpen your footwork—this course is for you.
Our 3-Day Intro to Rock Climbing Course is designed for newer climbers building a foundation in the sport, as well as experienced hikers and mountaineers seeking greater confidence on rock. You’ll develop essential skills for navigating complex, mixed terrain, and gain a deeper understanding of how to assess and move efficiently in variable alpine environments.
This course is a great fit for those who:
- Want to transition from gym climbing to climbing outdoors.
- Want to feel confident in their climbing movement skills before tackling summit blocks on Mount Shuksan or Olympus.
- Are preparing to take our 4-Day Alpine Rock Course
- Plan to attempt technical alpine objectives like the West Ridge of Forbidden or the Fisher Chimneys on Mount Shuksan, after taking our 6-day mountaineering course
After completing this course, you’ll be well-equipped to join friends for a day at the crag and take the next step in your alpine climbing journey. If you’re already comfortable with the fundamentals, consider advancing your skills through one of our Weekend Rock Clinics. Courses like Learn to Lead, Multipitch: Going Higher, Intro to Trad Climbing, and Rock Rescue are offered as scheduled or private programs, designed to meet you where you are and help you reach your climbing goals.
The location of this course varies. We prioritize venues with minimal approach time to maximize climbing and instruction. We frequently use Little Si and Exit 38 in North Bend, WA—just 30 miles from Seattle—as our primary classroom. In the event of poor weather, we shift to the drier east side of the Cascades, utilizing climbing areas in Vantage or Leavenworth.
EQUIPMENT & MEALS
Provided: All group climbing equipment, including ropes and technical hardware.
Not provided: Transportation, lodging, parking passes, meals, and personal gear. Participants are responsible for all items listed on the Gear List.
Course Objectives
This course is designed for newer climbers entering the sport, as well as gym climbers making the transition to outdoor rock. By the end of the course, participants will have improved their climbing movement and technique, developed a solid foundation in outdoor single-pitch climbing, and gained the confidence to join friends for a day at the crag or pursue mountaineering objectives that involve rock, such as Mount Olympus and Mount Shuksan.
Key Skills:
- How to use climbing guidebooks and apps.
- Outdoor climbing equipment
- Tying common climbing knots and hitches
- Rope management
- Belaying and rappelling.
- Slab, crack, and face climbing techniques.
- Evaluating top rope sites and establishing top rope climbs.
- Risk aware anchor construction from pre-established bolts.
- Cleaning a top rope anchor
- Climbing etiquette at the crag
Great time. High quality instruction. Plenty of time for repetition and practice with instructor feedback. I can use all this information this weekend! Both guides were great teachers. I felt that they did a great job passing along knowledge and then working 1:1 with anyone who needed a bit more hands on instruction. They were […]
