FAST TRACK TO CRACK
This two day clinic is a unique opportunity to learn the techniques and practices used to climb cracks of all sizes. This course will take place in the stunningly beautiful red rock desert of Western Colorado, an area blessed with some of the best crack climbing in the world. We will explore the uncrowded sandstone and granite crack climbing of the Uncompahgre Plateau and focus on skills and techniques that you will find useful in your trad climbing ambitions, be them in the mountains or at crack-centric venues like Yosemite and Indian Creek.
- Placing gear
- Building anchors
- Rope management
- Crack climbing techniques (jamming)
- Multi-pitch climbing and transitions
Dates:
April 8-9, 2023
April 15-16, 2023
May 20-21, 2023
$495 per person, based on a minimum of two participants
BEGINNER CLIMBING
This 1 day clinic focuses on the basics of sport climbing. Climbing may look scary, but it doesn’t have to be. With the safety of pre-rigged top ropes or on a low boulder, you will comfortably learn the fundamentals of climbing. Our certified guides will educate you in climbing safety, basic knots, and how to belay and rappel. While focusing on these skills, you will be on your way to becoming a competent and responsible climbing partner.
Dates: Upon Request
$275 per person, based on a minimum of two participants
Prerequisites: No prior rock climbing experience needed.
INTRO/INTERMEDIATE CLIMBING
Day 1 focuses on the basics of sport climbing. Climbing may look scary, but it doesn’t have to be. With the safety of pre-rigged top ropes or on a low boulder, you will comfortably learn the fundamentals of climbing. Our certified guides will educate you in climbing safety, basic knots, and how to belay and rappel. While focusing on these skills, you will be on your way to becoming a competent and responsible climbing partner.
Day 2 targeted instruction on climbing technique. We will challenge you to push yourself and improve on the skills learned the previous day, while identifying goals and areas for improvement. Our guides will give you an honest assessment of your skill set and help you understand your capabilities moving forward.
Dates:
May 13-14, 2023
August 5-6, 2023
Upon request
June 3-4, 2023
July 1-2, 2023
$450 per person
Prerequisites: No prior rock climbing experience needed.
INTRO TO TRAD CLIMBING
Day 1 begins with introductions to the goal of the course and a few hours of top roping easy climbs. Next, participants move into a discussion of gear and anchors. The day finishes with more climbing.
Day 2 is devoted to following multi pitch sport climbs. Participants will be in teams of 2, climbing a multi pitch route. Participants will practice cleaning gear, building anchors, lead belaying, and belaying a second. If time allows, participants may practice further skills at the end of the day.
Dates:
Upon Request
April 15-16, 2023
May 6-7, 2023
September 16-17, 2023
October 14-15, 2023
$495 per person, based on a minimum of two participants
Prerequisites: No prior rock climbing experience needed.
ADVANCED SPORT CLIMBING
Day 1 focuses on warming up, refreshing the basics of sport climbing, and coaching advanced movement. Participants will be taught warm up strategies and route reading strategies. In the afternoon, participants will be coached on movement of more difficult climbs.
Day 2 focuses on executing movement strategies learned the day prior. Participants have an opportunity to select their objective for the day, or project. If appropriate, participants may lead their route.
The goal of this clinic is to give participants strategies for warming up, route-reading, and projecting sport climbs.
Dates:
Upon request
June 10-11, 2023
July 8-9, 2023
August 5-6, 2023
June 24-25, 2023
July 15-16, 2023
$495 per person, based on a minimum of two participants
Prerequisites: Must be comfortable lead belaying, catching lead falls, top rope belaying. Ideally proficient at top roping 5.10 and higher.
FAMILY CLIMBING ADVENTURE
Enjoy a fun filled day of climbing with the whole family, or just the kids! No prior climbing experience is necessary. Our instructors are experienced with all ages, and some regularly climb with their own kiddos. We provide a safe environment to learn the basics of rock climbing. We will customize the day based on your family’s wishes — it can be a laid back day with lots of breaks or it can be a challenging activity depending on your abilities and interests. In Ouray, Grand Junction and Rifle.
$600 2-4 participants
Dates available upon request
Prerequisites: No prior rock climbing experience needed.
GEAR LIST
PERSONAL GEAR YOU NEED TO BRING:
• Climbing harness with belay/rappel and gear loops.
• Climbing helmet.
• Belay device.
• Two locking carabiners.
• Crampons for technical climbing. (Step in, not strap on)
• Technical ice tools, with hammers. An adze on a tool creates a significant risk to you. If you don’t have a hammer, you may cover the adze with tape and foam so it can’t cut your face if it pops out.
• Ice Tool tethers. This is a long elasticized leash that prevents you from dropping an ice tool. (optional)
• Climbing boots. These must be mountaineering boots. Leather hiking boots won’t work. Good quality climbing boots can be rented from Ouray Mountain Sports. Contact them directly to reserve at (970) 325-4284.
• Hooded shell jacket. A waterproof/breathable (hard shell) jacket is desirable when climbing water ice. If you use a soft shell jacket make sure it is freshly washed and dried as the drying helps to restore the water repellent finish. If we climb in a soft shell we often carry a light waterproof/non-breathable shell such as the Alpine Houdini jacket made by Patagonia.
• Technical climbing pants. Soft or hard shell. Should fit closely around the tops of your boots.
• Gaitors. Nice if your pants are baggy and/or don’t have integrated gaitors to keep the snow out. (optional)
• Synthetic long underwear top and bottoms. Two different weights for different temperature conditions.
• Synthetic mid-weight top. Slightly heavier than the above layer. The Patagonia R1 Hoody is a popular example.
• Warm fleece or sweater top.
• Warm insulating down or synthetic parka that can be worn over all other layers.
• A warm hat which can be worn under your helmet.
• Neck gaiter. Optional, but recommended.
• Two to three pairs of good fitting, non-bulky, warm climbing gloves and mittens. Gloves/mittens usually get wet or damp when ice climbing and it is nice to have a back-up pair with you at all times. Personally we bring two pairs of gloves and one pair of mittens for a day of winter climbing. One thin pair of gloves that are protective but not very warm; these get the most use. One medium pair of gloves that are warmer, but we can still climb with. And one pair of mittens for belaying and for extra cold days. Ski gloves usually have too much material in the palms for climbing.
• Thin synthetic or wool liner gloves. (optional)
• Wool socks to wear in climbing boots. A second thin pair of liner socks is optional for those who tend to get cold feet.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• A 30-40 liter backpack to carry extra clothes, water and food for the day.
• Small headlamp.
• A small personal first aid kit containing bandages and a blister kit.
• Water bottle and/or thermos: You should have one to two quart/liter capacity.
• Lunch/snack food. When climbing in the Ice Park, it is possible to go into town for lunch.
• Camera!
• Bathing suit for hot springs.
IMPORTANT:
Let us know what you DO NOT have. We may have it.
EQUIPMENT WE PROVIDE:
Ropes, protection, slings and other team technical equipment.
TRAINING TIPS
The Ice Clinic Workout:
Pull-ups, 5-15 reps, 30 seconds rest. Then:
Strict sit-ups. 10-15 reps, 30 seconds rest. Then:
Isometric Ice-Tool Hangs. 15-20 second one-armed hang off each tool. It helps to wear the gloves you’ll wear climbing. If you can’t do this one-armed, then do it with both arms, but shift more weight to one side at a time for the required time for each side. 30 seconds rest. Then:
Push ups, 10-15 reps, 30 seconds rest. Then:
Repeat circuit three times with a 3 minute rest between laps of the circuit for one workout. Do this workout twice in the first week.
Repeat circuit four times with a 3 minute rest between circuits for one workout. Do it twice a week the second and third week. In week 3 reduce rest between circuits to 2 minutes
Repeat five times the fourth and fifth week. In week four take 2 minutes rest/circuit. In week five take a 1 minute break between laps of the circuit
The sixth week do the workout only once. Do four laps of the circuit with two minutes rest between laps to allow for recovery and super-compensation.
Why pull-ups and push-ups? Because these simple exercise works all the main muscles-groups involved in swinging, and holding onto, an ice tool. If you can’t do five pull-ups, you may want to contact us about a customized strength training plan.
IInterested in a more structured approach to training?
• Read Steve House’s and Scott Johnston’s Book: Training for the New Alpinism
• Check Out Uphill Athlete’s training and coaching options