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Basic InformationWhat to BringRecommended ReadingPrivate or Semi-private LessonsBasic Rock Climbing LessonsLearn to Rock Climb!Lead Rock Climbing Lessons |
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We offer rock climbing lessons year-round in the Boulder, Colorado area. Boulder rock climbing, Denver rock climbing, and Colorado rock climbing are world famous. Although Boulder is widely known for summer rock climbing, its mild winters make climbing quite pleasant year-round. Autumn is especially beautiful with sunny days and fewer climbers. We also offer rock climbing instruction in other areas. Contact us for information about a specific area.
Private or semi-private lessons are for individuals or 2 or more students coming to us together. They offer the advantages of a low student to instructor ratio and can be scheduled anytime at your convenience. They are for beginners as well as those with previous climbing experience and are tailored to students' experience, ability level, and ambitions. Previous experience is not required for beginning lessons. For more advanced instruction or guided climbs students should be familiar with fundamental climbing techniques.
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We provide all technical equipment including helmets, rock shoes, and harnesses. Students are encouraged to bring any of their own equipment they wish to use.
You should bring
Approach shoes (light hiking or jogging shoes for walking to the climbs)
Rugged, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the season
Water
Suggested Items
UV protective sun glasses or glacier goggles
Sun screen
Food or snacks
Camera
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How to Rock Climb! by John Long
Knots for Climbers by Craig Luebben
Mountaineering, the Freedom of the Hills by the Seattle Mountaineers
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Private or Semi-private Lessons
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Private or semi-private lessons are either half-day or full-day and can be scheduled any time you wish. We maintain a low student to instructor ratio for the most effective learning experience. Beginners: We specialize in instruction for beginners. Many of our students have no previous climbing experience. Others may have been climbing in an indoor gym and want to continue outdoors on real rock. Either way, some on-the-rocks experience and instruction can be very worthwhile. How many lessons should you schedule? You can schedule one lesson to experience the sport. To completely cover all the material normally considered to be basic to rock climbing usually requires two full-days or four half-days. These lessons involve a combination of instruction and practice climbing. Many students opt to extend the experience by adding some guided climbs. Two days plus a guided climb make a very well-rounded beginners' course. |
Intermediates:
For those who have some previous experience, we design lessons to provide further skills training under the close supervision of an experienced instructor. We structure the lessons to suit the ability and goals of each student. This can be an excellent way to further your knowledge of the sport or a quick way to improve your climbing ability.
In both beginning and intermediate lessons we teach fundamental rock climbing techniques such as climbing safety, knots, rope handling, communication, equipment use, belaying, and rappeling. Students practice climbing with top-rope belays to develop confidence on steep rock.
| RATES FOR LOCAL AREA (IMMEDIATE BOULDER AREA) | Full-Day | Half-Day |
| One Person: | $250 | $150 |
| Two Persons: | $175 each | $125 each |
| Three or More Persons: | $150 each | $100 each |
| RATES FOR OUTSIDE THE LOCAL AREA | ||
| One Person: | $300 | NA |
| Two Persons: | $200 each | NA |
| Three or More Persons: | $175 each | NA |
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These suggested private or semi-private lessons make up a complete course in rock climbing fundamentals. Personal attention and added climbing time make them attractive to serious climbers who want an intense course covering as much as possible in the time available. Like all private or semi-private lessons they can be scheduled at any time to suit clients' requirements.
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Introduction to Rock Climbing – Half-day private or semi-private beginner’s lesson scheduled anytime The goal of this lesson is to teach basic rock climbing skills in a top-rope setting. Such things as climbing philosophy, safety, ethics, rope handling, knots, communication, equipment overview, and top rope belaying will be demonstrated and practiced. Prerequisites – None After this lesson, students will be prepared for top-rope climbing in situations where anchors are pre-placed. Cost for Introduction to Rock Climbing All equipment is included. |
 Climbing Anchors – Half-day private or semi-privaate beginner’s lesson scheduled anytime The goal of this lesson is to present everything a climber needs to know in order to safely place gear in rock and set up anchors. Prerequisites – Our Introduction to Rock Climbing lesson or equivalent experience This lesson provides students with enough information and hands-on experience so they should be able to confidently use the full range of conventional gear in a safe manner. Cost for Climbing Anchors All equipment is included. |
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Belaying and Rappelling – Half-day private or semi-private beginner’s lesson scheduled anytime The goal of this lesson is to familiarize students with techniques for belaying on multi-pitch climbs (belaying the second and belaying the leader) and rappelling in all situations using equipment currently available so students are prepared to belay or rappel in a safe way. Prerequisites – Our Introduction to Rock Climbing and Climbing Anchors lessons or equivalent experience This lesson is very important since accidents are frequently caused by the loss of control while belaying or rappelling. This can be avoided if you know what to do and pay close attention. Cost for Belaying and Rappelling All equipment is included. |
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Multi-Pitch Climbing – Half-day private or semi-private beginner’s lesson scheduled anytime The goal of this lesson is to give students practice seconding multi-pitch climbs and climbing as a team. Prerequisites – Our Introduction to Rock Climbing, Climbing Anchors, and Belaying and Rappelling lessons or equivalent experience When climbing with experienced partners it is important to be knowledgeable enough to evaluate their anchor placements, judgment, and performance in general. In the final analysis you are responsible for your own safety. Cost for Multi-Pitch Climbing All equipment is included. |
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Basic Rock – 2-day private or semi-private beginning rock climbing course scheduled anytime We have been teaching this introductory course in traditional rock climbing since the early seventies and have refined and updated it regularly. Prerequisites – None
Cost for Basic Rock All equipment is included. |
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This 6-hr beginner’s lesson is a safe and fun way to learn some of the basics of rock climbing. It offers a broad introduction to rope handling, climbing safety, belaying, rappelling, and equipment use. You climb out-of-doors on natural rock where you practice everything learned.
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All equipment provided
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Meet at 9 am
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Scheduled any day
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Low student to instructor ratio
Cost for Learn to Rock Climb!
1 person $200
2 persons $150 each
3 persons $125 each
4 or more $100 each
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Leading is considered by many climbers to be the most challenging aspect of rock climbing because of the added elements of problem solving and risk management. It is while leading that the climber experiences the adventure of climbing at its fullest. For some, leading is climbing – everything else is practice.
Acquiring basic leader skills is important for all serious climbers even if they plan to do little or no leading. The added awareness that results is invaluable and very important in situations when the leader may be out of action.
Climbing is a potentially dangerous activity, particularly lead climbing. Only through careful preparation, practice, and developing a safety-conscious attitude can the risks be minimized.
Even if you choose not to do much leading, it can be reassuring to know that you are prepared to do so should the need arise.
Leading on Rock I – Half-day introduction to leading - private or semi-private lesson scheduled anytime
The goal of this lesson is to familiarize students with the basics of leading on rock. It includes methods for efficient rope clipping and minimizing rope drag, planning lead strategy, and practice “leading” while placing pro with a top rope for safety.
The lesson begins with a review of pro placement in a variety of lead climbing situations.
Students then begin “leading” with a top rope belay, placing protection, and clipping a second “lead” rope.
Each lead is seconded by the instructor who evaluates the gear placements and points out any appropriate improvements.
Several such practice “leads” are made to allow students to acquire the necessary experience in order to begin leading without a top rope.
Prerequisites – Our Basic Rock course or equivalent experience
We recommend this lesson for every aspiring rock climber. For many, it will be adequate for their needs. For those who plan to begin leading, it can be followed by Leading on Rock II.
Cost for Leading on Rock I
1 person - $150
2 persons - $125 each
3 or more persons - $100 each
Leading on Rock II – Half-day practice lead climbing - private or semi-private lesson scheduled anytime
The goal of this lesson is to allow students who have demonstrated sufficient aptitude to gain experience leading without a top rope safety.
Leads are made in situations where the instructor is confident adequate pro placement opportunities exist and students can climb without worrying if protection will be possible or the climb too difficult.
This invaluable experience provides most students with the confidence to begin leading on their own.
Prerequisites – Our Leading on Rock I lesson or equivalent experience
Climbing under the watchful eye of our rock climbing instructor is the best way to do your first lead.
Cost for Leading on Rock II
1 person - $150
2 persons - $125 each
3 or more persons - $100 each