Explore Rock Climbing Development Courses with expert-led programs by Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides and our AMGA certified guides. Focused on skill, safety, and environmental care, these programs suit all climbers, from beginners to pros. Join us to elevate your climbing skills and connect with Colorado's stunning landscapes.
In this article:
Learn To Lead Sport Climbing Outside
Learn to Lead Sport Climbing Outdoors: A Comprehensive Course on Developing the Essential Skills and Techniques for Safely and Confidently Leading Sport Climbs Outdoors, Designed for Gym Climbers Who Want to Learn How to Lead Sport Routes Outside.
Looking to take your climbing to the next level? Our one-day outdoor sport climbing course is designed for gym climbers who want to learn the essential skills and techniques for safely and confidently leading sport climbs outdoors.
This comprehensive course covers everything from an introduction to sport climbing to identifying well or poorly bolted climbs. You’ll learn climbing safety and equipment, stick clip techniques, types of sport climbing anchors, cleaning a route, lead climbing and belaying, as well as trip planning and preparation. Plus, you’ll get tips on finding climbing partners to help you continue your progress.
Our experienced instructors will guide you through each step of the process, giving you the knowledge and confidence you need to lead with ease. By the end of the day, you’ll be equipped with the skills you need to climb and lead with confidence, taking your climbing to new heights. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn from the best – sign up for our one-day outdoor sport climbing course today!
Curriculum
Introduction to sport climbing
Climbing safety and equipment
Stick clip techniques
Types of sport climbing anchors
Cleaning a route
Lead climbing and belaying
Identifying well or poorly bolted climbs
Trip planning and preparation
Finding climbing partners
Difficulty Description: Moderate
Learn To Lead Trad Climbing in Colorado
The art of traditional climbing, also known as “Trad” climbing, involves placing your own protection as you ascend. This presents a vast new realm of climbing opportunities, as many beautiful climbing routes doesn’t have bolts, whether in Colorado or elsewhere. Learning to trad climb can be an exhilarating and enjoyable experience that offers great rewards as you sharpen your problem-solving skills. As you become more adept at outdoor climbing, trad climbing provides an additional layer of complexity in terms of figuring out how to secure your gear in the wall using nuts, cams, slings, ropes, and other tools of the trade.
Join our experienced guides and instructors for a two-day course that will establish a solid foundation in the art of traditional gear placement, anchor building, terrain management route planning, equipment and more. We will provide you with the tools you need to tackle any challenge you may encounter on a trad climb, such as identifying cracks and constrictions, placing gear, reading wandering routes, and protecting them properly.
We will also clarify questions you may have, what are hexes and tricams, why is a rope labeled as a half rope, and more.
One critical aspect of a successful trad climb is constructing simple, secure, and efficient anchor systems for you and your partner. If you are accustomed to sport climbing, you are familiar with bolts and the convenience they offer for anchoring. However, traditional climbing does not have this luxury! We will demonstrate various types of climbing protections that you can employ and adjust to suit your need and help you develop a discerning eye for selecting excellent protection placements.
Like your initial experience of outdoor climbing, trad climbing may be daunting. But Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides is enthusiastic about assisting you in cracking the code and embarking on the adventure of plugging gear.
Curriculum
Different types of protection and their uses
Gear selection, racking, and maintenance
Properly placing gear for protection while lead climbing
Protecting traverses for both leader and follower and finding stances for placing protection, utilizing extended runners
Review of knots, lead belaying, and route finding, understanding route-finding issues, evaluating hazards thoroughly, and tips and tricks for route-finding in crack systems
Climbing movement, resting while leading, and bailing from a route
Developing a lead climbing “head”
Deciding what gear to carry on the route and how to properly remove gear
Difficulty Description: Moderate
Prerequisites: Experience with outdoor sport lead climbing.
Rock Climbing Development Series (5 Day)
The Rock Climbing Development Series – Level 1 Course is a comprehensive five-day program designed for individuals who want to learn the fundamental techniques, skills, and safety measures required to become proficient in rock climbing. Our course is perfect for beginners who have never climbed before.
Our experienced guides will introduce you to the sport of rock climbing and help you build a solid foundation in the necessary knowledge and skills. The course covers a range of topics including climbing equipment, safety, rope work, climbing techniques, movement, and climbing strategy. By the end of the course, participants will have gained the confidence, knowledge, and skills to climb safely and efficiently on a variety of rock types.
The course also includes an introduction to multi-pitch climbing, where you will learn to climb higher routes that require multiple anchors and belays. Our guides will select climbing areas and climbing routes based on the interests and abilities of participants. Potential climbing areas include Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, and The Flatirons.
Curriculum
Introduction to rock climbing and equipment
Learn and practice rock-climbing knots
Get comfortable belaying outside
Learn how anchors and climbing systems work
Equipment necessary to build top-rope anchors
Gain insight into how to assess site hazards
Natural protection and fixed anchors
Placing clean protection
Building a proper climbing anchor
Protecting yourself near the cliff edge
Improving footwork and movement efficiency
Learn to plan sequences and anticipate moves
Climb and practice different styles of rock climbing
Gets lots of climbing with expert instruction
Proper planning of a multi-pitch climb
Review of traditional rock protection and anchors
How the multi-pitch system works
Communication strategies for multi-pitch climbing
Rappeling considerations and techniques
Removing gear and racking protection
Climbing a multi-pitch route
Trip Details
Day 1:
Introduction to Rock: On the first day of the course, we will start by introducing you to the fundamentals of rock climbing. Our expert guides will show you how to manage a belay station and rappel safely. We will also practice basic rock-climbing knots and get you comfortable with belaying outside. We will cover the latest safe climbing techniques and practice them immediately. This hands-on approach will help you build confidence in your abilities and give you a solid foundation for the rest of the course. Additionally, we will explore how anchors and climbing systems work, so you can understand the importance of safety in rock climbing.
Day 2:
Top Rope Climbing Anchors: On the second day, we will build on the fundamentals of rock climbing and focus on top-rope climbing anchors. We will teach you how to set up and manage top-rope climbing anchors, edge security, and site management. You will gain a better understanding of the different types of anchors and their functions, and how to choose the right one for a particular climbing situation. By the end of the day, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to set up and manage safe top-rope climbing systems.
Day 3:
Climbing Movement & Technique: On the third day, we will dive into climbing movement and technique. We will work on improving your footwork, learning how to plan sequences, and trying different styles of climbing such as face, crack, slab, overhang, and steep climbing. We will focus on body positioning and efficient movement, allowing you to climb with greater ease and control. By the end of the day, you will have developed a solid foundation in climbing technique and be ready to tackle more challenging climbs.
Day 4:
Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing: On the fourth day of the course, we will cover the essentials of multi-pitch rock climbing. You will learn how a multi-pitch system works and how to lead belay, follow traditional lead climbs, and get hands-on experience removing gear and racking protection. This day will provide you with the skills and confidence necessary to tackle multi-pitch climbs with ease.
Day 5:
Putting it All Together: On the final day of the course, we will bring everything you’ve learned together in a long multi-pitch rock climb on the iconic Flatirons. This climb will give you the opportunity to put your skills to the test, bringing together everything you’ve learned throughout the course for an unforgettable climbing experience. Our guides will be there to offer support and guidance, ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable climb. By the end of the day, you will have gained valuable experience and confidence that will help you tackle any climb in the future.
Included in our rates: The services of a professional rock climbing guide, any rock climbing equipment (helmet, harnesses, shoes, belay devices).
Not included in our rates: Park entrance fees, which are $10 per person daily for Eldorado Canyon State Park and $15 per person daily for Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance fees are paid directly to the Parks upon entrance, gratuities for your guide are also not included (while the amount is at your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 20%).
Difficulty Description: Easy to Difficult
What to Bring: Sent with trip confirmation
Meeting Location: Meet at climbing location or at Trailhead
Prerequisites: No experience required.
Call 720-242-9828 or email info@cwrag.com to book a Custom Rock Climbing Development Series Course!
Rock Climbing Courses with Chris
Chris, an experienced climber and Colorado resident for almost a decade, shares his passion for climbing and helps students improve technique, fitness, and mental skills. He climbs in Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, and Rocky Mountain National Park, and also ski patrols at Eldora in winter.
Climbing On Ramp
This five-day program over five weeks covers everything a new outdoor climber needs to know to be self-sufficient and minimize risk. Topics include sport climbing equipment, knots, belaying, anchor building, lead climbing, rappelling, and climbing movement. The multi-week structure allows for in-depth discussions and real-world practice at beginner-friendly locations like Clear Creek Canyon, Boulder Canyon, and North Table Mountain.
Demographics: Ideal for climbers with indoor top-rope experience who want to progress quickly in a safe, supportive environment.
Locations: Boulder Canyon, Clear Creek Canyon, Flatirons.
Advanced Climbing Skills
The Advanced Climbing Skills program is a six-week course, with one full day of instruction each week, focused on building confidence in multipitch trad climbing. Topics include gear placements, anchors, multipitch techniques, rappelling, rock rescue, and efficiency. This program combines in-depth discussions and field practice to ensure students feel confident applying these skills in real-world situations.
Demographics: Ideal for those with prior lead climbing experience, this course is for climbers looking to start multipitch trad or alpine climbing. Previous lead climbing experience and comfort with 5.9 sport climbs are required.
Locations: The course will explore top trad and multipitch areas in Eldorado Canyon and Boulder Canyon.
What's Included In Our Rates?
The services of a professional AMGA certified Rock Climbing Guide/Apprentice or Single Pitch Instructor
Round-trip transportation between your Boulder or Estes Park hotel or our office and the fishing location for groups of 6 or less** Not including Climbing Programs By Chris**
All necessary climbing gear
Bottled water and snacks (lunch is also included during full-day trips) ** Lunch Not included in Climbing Programs By Chris**
Education about the local and natural history (including a library of Rocky Mountain flora and fauna)
Group CB, medical kit, & emergency support.
What's NOT Included In Our Rates?
Gratuities for your guide (while it is up to your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 15-20%) - *Gratuity is auto-added for groups of 6 or more.
Colorado fishing license or rod fee for private waters. We will secure private waters based on request
Transportation for groups of 7+, we can accommodate larger groups for an additional cost
Call 720-242-9828 or email info@cwrag.com for more information
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