Calaveras Dome Rock Climbing

A full day of rock climbing adventure with our AMGA trained rock guides on some of California's best granite! Calaveras Dome is an incredible venue for a few days of fun multi-pitch rock climbing. Or, if you're trying to up your trad climbing and multi-pitch climbing game, we can build out multipitch efficiency skills to help you send your multipitch rock projects. Our guides will cater the program to your needs!
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

Rock climbers of all ability levels will love a day of private rock climbing with a guide at Calaveras Dome!

With incredible granite and routes ranging from 1 to 4 pitches, you'll have a full day of great routes to choose from. Our AMGA-trained guides will be there to help you dial in your skills and have an amazing day climbing rock in one of our favorite zones! We can teach skills, climb multi-pitch routes, or put up a slew of top ropes for you and your crew to climb. How we shape the day is up to you!

  • Customized Program - This is a private day geared toward your desires as a climber. We can emphasize improving your technical and movement skills on rock or we can put the rope up on some classic rock climbs and focus on having fun!

  • Routes - There are tons of classic rock climbing routes at Calaveras Dome, ranging from single pitch 5.9 to 1,000' grade IV 5.11s! Most routes are mulitpitch and feature incredible Sierra Granite rock climbing. A few of our favorites are:
    • Sands of Time, Grade III, 5.9
    • Totally Buzzed, 1 pitch, 5.10b
    • Gemini Cracks, 3 pitches, 5.9-
    • Rainbows End, 3 pitches, 5.10d
    • And many more!

  • Skills Covered Can Include:
    • Knots
    • Traditional Anchors
    • Multipitch Efficiency
    • Rappelling and Lowering
    • Belaying
    • Rock Rescue
    • Ascending Ropes
    • Rock Movement

This is a private and flexible program based on the objectives of you and your team. We’ll build the itinerary based on what you’re looking for and we’ll pick a start time based on your schedule and current weather. Below is an example itinerary:

  • 8:00am - Meet your Guide & Review the Plan for the Day. - Your guide will discuss the weather, climbing skills you’ll cover and the route options for your objectives. After a quick gear check, the team will approach the climb and begin.

  • 8:30am - 4:00pm - Climbing & Skills - Calaveras Dome is an incredible rock-climbing destination with tons of classic multipitch routes on superb granite. We can tailor your program to tackle a couple of routes or incorporate skills into the day.

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

  • This is a program for all levels! We welcome climbers of all ability levels, from first-timers to 5.10 trad leaders. You let your guide know what you are looking for and we’ll set up a great day of climbing and skills for you and your team.

  • This program requires basic fitness. You should be 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 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 this 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 Intermediate Advanced
ELEVATION7,000-8,000'
LocationCalaveras Dome, CA

Price/Person $645.00
Private Programs
Duration: 1 Day
View Full Itinerary
Private Programs

Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

Contact us
Full Itinerary

This program is a private and flexible program based on the objectives of you and your team.  We’ll build the itinerary based on what you’re looking for and we’ll pick a start time based on your schedule and current weather.  Below is an example itinerary: 

This program is a private and flexible program based on the objectives of you and your team. We’ll build the itinerary based on what you’re looking for and we’ll pick a start time based on your schedule and current weather. Below is an example itinerary:

  • 8:00am - Meet your Guide & Review the Plan for the Day. - Your guide will discuss the weather, climbing skills you’ll cover and the route options for your objectives. After a quick gear check, the team will approach the climb and begin.

  • 8:30am - 4:00pm - Climbing & Skills - Calaveras Dome is renowned for its incredible multipitch rock climbing, and routes range from single pitch to 4 pitches in length. We can tailor your program to tackle a couple of routes or incorporate skills into the day.

Rock climbers of all ability levels will love a day of private rock climbing with a guide at Calaveras Dome!

With incredible granite and routes ranging from 1 to 4 pitches, you'll have a full day of great routes to choose from. Our AMGA-trained guides will be there to help you dial in your skills and have an amazing day climbing rock in one of our favorite zones! We can teach skills, climb multi-pitch routes, or put up a slew of top ropes for you and your crew to climb. How we shape the day is up to you!

  • Customized Program - This is a private day geared toward your desires as a climber. We can emphasize improving your technical and movement skills on rock or we can put the rope up on some classic rock climbs and focus on having fun!

  • Routes - There are tons of classic rock climbing routes at Calaveras Dome, ranging from single pitch 5.9 to 1,000' grade IV 5.11s! Most routes are mulitpitch and feature incredible Sierra Granite rock climbing. A few of our favorites are:
    • Sands of Time, Grade III, 5.9
    • Totally Buzzed, 1 pitch, 5.10b
    • Gemini Cracks, 3 pitches, 5.9-
    • Rainbows End, 3 pitches, 5.10d
    • And many more!

  • Skills Covered Can Include:
    • Knots
    • Traditional Anchors
    • Multipitch Efficiency
    • Rappelling and Lowering
    • Belaying
    • Rock Rescue
    • Ascending Ropes
    • Rock Movement

This is a private and flexible program based on the objectives of you and your team. We’ll build the itinerary based on what you’re looking for and we’ll pick a start time based on your schedule and current weather. Below is an example itinerary:

  • 8:00am - Meet your Guide & Review the Plan for the Day. - Your guide will discuss the weather, climbing skills you’ll cover and the route options for your objectives. After a quick gear check, the team will approach the climb and begin.

  • 8:30am - 4:00pm - Climbing & Skills - Calaveras Dome is an incredible rock-climbing destination with tons of classic multipitch routes on superb granite. We can tailor your program to tackle a couple of routes or incorporate skills into the day.

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

  • This is a program for all levels! We welcome climbers of all ability levels, from first-timers to 5.10 trad leaders. You let your guide know what you are looking for and we’ll set up a great day of climbing and skills for you and your team.

  • This program requires basic fitness. You should be 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 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 this 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.

Book Now
Select Your Group Size:
Select Date:
Spots to Book:

Epic Reviews From Adventurers

11 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
    Learned so much!

    Had an awesome time at the Intro to Anchor Building course at Donner Summit. I feel much closer to my goal of being the most experienced member of a group during an outdoor climb, and being able to assure others of safe practices. We learned so much about redundant anchor systems and Trad gear placement, and the course was introductory enough for those just transitioning from gym climbing, but informative enough for experienced sport climbers to gain substantial knowledge about trad anchors. Zeb was an informative and patient instructor during the academic portion of the class. After the academic portion we tested the skills we learned in my first multi-pitch climb, which alone was an incredible experience. It was very assuring to climb with a highly experienced guide, that took time to explain safety checks, not only to make us feel safe, but to ensure that we gain the knowledge to becoming independent Trad and sport climbers. I am looking forward to more skill building courses, and adventure Rock and Alpine climbs with Blackbird Mountain Guides!

    Andrew Q.
    Flag of United States
    Verified Buyer
    Rock Climbing Anchor Building Course in Tahoe
  • 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
Reviews LoadedReviews Added

the blackbird difference

Innovative courses

Professional Guides

Positive Progression

Community Focused

ongoing support

Got Questions?

We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!