Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing - Crystal Crag
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- North Arete - 5.7 - A ledgy and featured climb that leads you up to the Crystal Corridor will make it clear why this classic rock formation is called Crystal Crag!
- Alpine Climbing Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest, and rope travel
- 8:00am - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead
- 8:15am - Gear and trailhead departure check
- 8:45am - Begin the course / climb - with lessons and teachable moments along the way
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - Finish at the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss strengths, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps in your alpine climbing progression.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - no alpine climbing experience is required!
- Basic Rock Climbing Experience - Including proficiency with basic rope skills, belaying, rappelling, and technical climbing on 4th and 5th class rock.
- Moderate Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 4-6 miles and climb 1,500-2,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Alpine Climbing Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Ropes & Gear
- 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
- Climbing Shoes, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Alpine Climbing Gear
- Climbing Shoes
- Climbing Harness
Know Before you go
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.
- 8:00am - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead
- 8:15am - Gear and trailhead departure check
- 8:45am - Begin the course / climb - with lessons and teachable moments along the way
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - Finish at the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss strengths, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps in your alpine climbing progression.
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- North Arete - 5.7 - A ledgy and featured climb that leads you up to the Crystal Corridor will make it clear why this classic rock formation is called Crystal Crag!
- Alpine Climbing Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest, and rope travel
- 8:00am - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead
- 8:15am - Gear and trailhead departure check
- 8:45am - Begin the course / climb - with lessons and teachable moments along the way
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - Finish at the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss strengths, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps in your alpine climbing progression.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - no alpine climbing experience is required!
- Basic Rock Climbing Experience - Including proficiency with basic rope skills, belaying, rappelling, and technical climbing on 4th and 5th class rock.
- Moderate Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 4-6 miles and climb 1,500-2,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Alpine Climbing Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Ropes & Gear
- 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
- Climbing Shoes, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Alpine Climbing Gear
- Climbing Shoes
- Climbing Harness
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epic reviews from adventurers
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Awesome Experience
“Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.
An Exceptional Course
“I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."
Too Good For Words
Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
An Incredible Weekend!
Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!
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