Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques in Tahoe

If you're already dialed at sport climbing but want to take your climbing to the next level, it's time to learn how to trad climb! This course will teach you how to properly place gear (cams, nuts), how to clean gear, how to trust your gear, and how to build trad anchors.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • Objectives - Take your outdoor rock climbing to the next level with our Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques course!
  • Skills
    • Types of Gear & When to Use
    • Gear Placement (as a leader)
    • Gear Cleaning (as a follower)
    • Trad Anchors
    • Trusting Your Gear

This program requires at least 3 participants to run.

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

  • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day learning about various trad climbing techniques!

  • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
  • 3:00pm - Course ends

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic Sport Climbing Experience - Including sport anchor building, rappelling, and belaying.
  • Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, climbing.

Here's what's included with your course:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes and gear for training
  • Group safety gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag bags for human waste disposal - in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Climbing Harness, Shoes, Helmet
  • Guide Gratuities

The gear list for your program depends on your level of skill, experience, and your goals for the day(s).

For most programs, the Single Pitch Rock Climbing Gear Guide is perfectly suitable.

If you have the skill, experience and interest in doing multi pitch climbing on your program then please refer to the Multi Pitch Rock Climbing Gear Guide and make sure your have the appropriate gear for your day(s) of climbing.


Know Before you go

SKILL LEVELBeginner
ELEVATION7,000-8,000'
LocationTahoe - Donner Summit

Price/Person $250.00
Private Programs
Duration: 1 Day
View Full Itinerary

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

  • Custom Scheduling: Choose your dates and plan around your availability.
  • Tailored Experiences: Itineraries and objectives are adjusted to suit your goals, experience, and fitness.
  • Cost-Effective for Most Large Groups: Private programs are typically more cost-effective for groups of 3 or more.
  • Flexibility Comes at a Price: For groups of 1-2, private programs are generally more expensive.
  • AIARE Courses: AIARE course pricing is based on a group of 6. Running these as a private program with fewer than 6 participants will increase the per-person cost.

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

  • Fixed Dates & Costs: Scheduled programs have set dates, itineraries, objectives, and pricing.
  • Great for Solo or Small Groups: Ideal for individuals or small groups looking to share costs with others.
  • Affordable for 1-2 People: Scheduled programs are typically less expensive for groups of 1-2.
  • Less Flexibility: Dates fill quickly, and group programs require adapting to the skill level and pace of all participants
  • Group Atmosphere: Meet others with similar interests and make some new backcountry buddies!

Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.

Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!

Contact us
Full Itinerary

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

  • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day learning about various trad climbing techniques!

  • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
  • 3:00pm - Course ends

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • Objectives - Take your outdoor rock climbing to the next level with our Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques course!
  • Skills
    • Types of Gear & When to Use
    • Gear Placement (as a leader)
    • Gear Cleaning (as a follower)
    • Trad Anchors
    • Trusting Your Gear

This program requires at least 3 participants to run.

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

  • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day learning about various trad climbing techniques!

  • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
  • 3:00pm - Course ends

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic Sport Climbing Experience - Including sport anchor building, rappelling, and belaying.
  • Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, climbing.

Here's what's included with your course:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes and gear for training
  • Group safety gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag bags for human waste disposal - in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Climbing Harness, Shoes, Helmet
  • Guide Gratuities

The gear list for your program depends on your level of skill, experience, and your goals for the day(s).

For most programs, the Single Pitch Rock Climbing Gear Guide is perfectly suitable.

If you have the skill, experience and interest in doing multi pitch climbing on your program then please refer to the Multi Pitch Rock Climbing Gear Guide and make sure your have the appropriate gear for your day(s) of climbing.

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Epic Reviews From Adventurers

8 reviews
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Knowledgeable & experienced - absolutely loved it!

    Absolutely loved working with Blackbird Mountain Guides. Zeb was an awesome guide, knowledgeable and experienced, would highly recommend!

    Belle J.
    Flag of United States
    Rock Climbing in Tahoe - Private
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Trad intro and top Rope climb

    My intro to trad climbing was amazing, my guide figured out my level adn picked out some great climbs

    Julio D.
    Verified Buyer
    Rock Climbing in Tahoe - Private
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Totally worth it - phenomenal day!

    Okay, that was totally worth it! Phenomenal day. Lots of good reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. Plus many new skills to add to my toolkit. I feel like everyone should do one of these classes every 5 years or something like that. Daryl Teittinen was awesome, a good mix between professionalism, teacher and fun person to hang out with. He is a fantastic teacher. Excellent listener and I had great timing and knowledge went to cut me off and direct me to the more important issues/techniques. I'll go climb the rest of the year and come back again next year for some more education. Thank you!

    Kirk D.
    Flag of United States
    Rock Climbing in Tahoe - Private
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Awesome, personalized experience

    Great half day with lots of climbing tailored to our levels

    Gillian M.
    Verified Buyer
    Rock Climbing in Tahoe - Private
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