Scheduled Course - Beginner Rock Camp 1

Rock Camp 1

This full-immersion, hands-on introduction to outdoor rock climbing teaches the skills needed to be a technically sound advanced single pitch climber who can lead outdoor routes and set up & clean top rope anchors. This camp also introduces traditional multi-pitch climbing systems.

Participants should be fit, possess a desire to learn and have some mountain experience. However, rock climbing proficiency is not a prerequisite, it is an outcome.

Day 1: Introduction to Outdoor Rock Top Rope Climbing

  • Learn climbing knots, belaying and lowering outside
  • Understand climbing systems and how top rope anchors work
  • Build equalized top rope anchors
  • Become aware of outdoor climbing hazards and safety
  • Use outdoor rock climbing books to prepare for your objectives for the day and route finding

Day 2: Learn to Lead Sport Climbing

  • Learn how to belay a lead climber
  • Practice effective communication between leader & belayer
  • Learn to lead climb & proper bolt clipping techniques
  • Practice tethering in and cleaning a bolted anchor
  • Gain the skills to lower oneself, rappel and use a friction hitch for back up

Day 3: Anchor Building, Climbing Technique & Trad Concepts

  • Introduce concepts of traditional rock climbing (placing natural protection)
  • Grasp best practices for trad racking
  • Become proficient in building & equalizing natural anchors
  • Try crack, slab and steep climbing
  • Get coached on movement techniques for outdoor rock
  • Learn to plan sequences and take advantage of "rests"
  • Improve security and efficiency scaling various rock features

Day 4: Multi-pitch Climb

  • Bring all your skills together on a classic Wasatch multi-pitch climb
  • Follow and clean a traditional route; learn how to remove and rack protection
  • Belay a leader, including from a ledge
  • Use Personal Anchor System and manage ropes on a ledge
  • Descend via pre-rigged, multi-pitch rappel

Doesn't fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you're interested in a course but the dates don't fit your schedule please check out our custom guiding options.

How to Register:

Learning climbing knots

Learning climbing knots

Photography by Louis Arevalo

Lowering and top-roping in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon

Lowering and top-roping in scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon

Photography by Anna Wright

Multipitch climbing above Big Cottonwood Canyon

Multipitch climbing above Big Cottonwood Canyon

Photography by Alex Lemieux

Course Details

2024 Dates

June 19-22, 2024 Wed-Sat

Duration

4 days

Prerequisite

Beginner to intermediate indoor climbers will benefit from this camp. This class is for people who have no experience up to people who climb 5.10 indoors. Indoor rock climbing and/or bouldering experience preferred, but not required. No outdoor rock climbing experience required. Guests should expect to and be able to hike 10-20 minutes on easy-moderate hiking trails.

Ratio

4:1. Except Last Day, 2:1

Fee

$799 per person plus tax

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the clinic if fewer than 3 participants register.

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Utah Mountain Adventures

P.O. Box 521809

Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1809

Phone: (801) 550 3986

Fax: (801) 486 8505

Email: uma@utahmountainadventures.com

Utah Mountain Adventures | Patagonia Utah Mountain Adventures | Forest Service Backcountry Skiing Utah, by Tyson Bradley