Calaveras Dome Rock Climbing
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
- 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.
- Come prepared with your own climbing gear or rent from Blackbird
- If you need to buy any gear, we recommend our friends at Tahoe Sports Hub
Know Before you go
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!
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
- 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.
- Come prepared with your own climbing gear or rent from Blackbird
- If you need to buy any gear, we recommend our friends at Tahoe Sports Hub
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsKnowledgeable & experienced - absolutely loved it!
Absolutely loved working with Blackbird Mountain Guides. Zeb was an awesome guide, knowledgeable and experienced, would highly recommend!
Belle J. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsTrad 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 - Rated 5 out of 5 starsLearned 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.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsTotally 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.
the blackbird difference
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