Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing
If you've been climbing in the gym for awhile but you're ready to take your rock climbing to the next level, this is the course for you! Learn the foundational skills you'll need to climb the famous granite rock of Donner Summit and beyond!





Take your rock climbing to the next level with our Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing course!
In this course we will cover the following:
- Types of gear and when to use
- Anchor building basics - for a more detailed anchor building class, check out our rock anchor course
- Lead climbing basics
- Rappelling
- Other outdoor rock climbing considerations & etiquette at the crag
Max client to guide ratio is 6:1
Requisite Experience
Basic climbing experience in a gym and belaying. It is recommended that you already know the following knots:
- Overhand on a bight
- Figure 8 on a bight
- Figure 8 follow through
- Clove hitch
- Double Fisherman
Dates
Available Dates
May 14, 2022
May 15, 2022
May 21, 2022
May 22, 2022
May 28, 2022
May 29, 2022
May 30, 2022
June 4, 2022
June 5, 2022
June 11, 2022
June 12, 2022
June 18, 2022
June 19, 2022
June 25, 2022
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2022
July 10, 2022
July 16, 2022
July 17, 2022
July 23, 2022
July 24, 2022
July 30, 2022
July 31, 2022
August 6, 2022
August 7, 2022
August 13, 2022
August 14, 2022
August 20, 2022
August 21, 2022
August 27, 2022
August 28, 2022
September 3, 2022
September 4, 2022
September 10, 2022
September 11, 2022
September 17, 2022
September 18, 2022
September 24, 2022
September 25, 2022
Prices
Refer to overview pageItinerary
Meet at 8AM and spend a full day learning how to rock climb outside!Equipment
Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing - Gear Guide
Gear Guide / Packing List
If you don’t have any of this gear or are unable to get it, please let us know and we can supply some for you.
Technical Gear
Rock Climbing Specific Gear
- Helmet, UIAA/CE approved for climbing, Petzl Scirocco
- Harness with belay loop, UIAA/CE approved for climbing, Petzl Hirundos
- Climbing Shoes
- Approach Shoes (optional, bring if you have them. Not necessary for Big Chief)
- Belay Device, Tube style belay device, Petzl Reverso, BD ATC Guide
- Non-locking Carabiners, 4 carabiners
- Locking Carabiners, 4 carabiners
- 1 Prusik loop, fixed 4’ loop of 6mm nylon cord or purpose built loop like Sterling “Hollow Block”
- 1 Cordelette, 20’, 7mm nylon cord or 5.9mm Sterling PowerCord
- Double Length Sewn Runner, Black Diamond 18mm Nylon Runners 120cm
Optional Items (Please feel free to bring your own if you’d like):
- Assisted Braking Device, ABD style belay device, Petzl “GriGri” or Trango “Cinch”
Layers
Head Items
- Sun Hat - A Baseball Hat, Blackbird Mountain Guides Logo Hat
- Sunglasses - Dark Lens Glasses
Upper Body and Hand Layers (weather dependent)
- Long Sleeve Base Layer - Lightweight, Synthetic/Wool;
- Insulating Top Layers - Light to Midweight Insulation Layer; Rab Xenair
- Puffy - Midweight Down or Synthetic with Hood; Rab Generator or similar (weather depending)
- Softshell Jacket, Hooded – Weather resistant but breathable, not insulated or waterproof
- Light Gloves - Light to Mid Weight for cool temps;
- Sports Bra - Wool/Synthetic;
Lower Body and Foot Layers
- Underwear - Wool/Synthetic
- Socks - Midweight Wool/Synthetic; Darn Tough Via Ferrata
- Softshell Climbing Pants - Breathable, Weather Resistant Pants - Marmot Scree Pants
Food and Water
- Water for a full day of climbing
- Snacks and Lunch for a full day of climbing
Other Essentials
- Sun Screen (SPF 30 minimum)
- Lip Balm (with SPF)
Group Gear Supplied by Blackbird Mountain Guides
- Guide’s First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags (Solid Human Waste Disposal Bags)
- Climbing Ropes
- Hardware for anchors
- Lead climbing rack (cams & stoppers)
- Draws and/or Alpine Draws
Know Before You Go
Location
Donner Summit, CA
Elevation
7,000-8,000'
Technical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪
This course has requisite climbing experience
Physical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪
We will be doing some rock climbing during this course
Trip Length
1 day
- Regular price
- $199.00
- Sale price
- $199.00
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