Rock Climbing Anchor Building Course
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- Objectives - This course is geared toward building rock climbing anchors and the gear you will need in order to do so! This course will teach you the most efficient and appropriate techniques given the type of gear you have and where you'd like to build your anchor.
- Skills
- Traditional Anchors
- Sport Anchors
- Tree/Rock Anchors (Natural)
- Gear placement
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the full day learning to build rock climbing anchors
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Basic Rope Skills - It is recommended that you can create the following knots prior to the course:
- Overhand on a bight
- Figure 8 on a bight
- Figure 8 follow through
- Clove hitch
- Double Fisherman
- Basic 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 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Rock Climbing Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
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
- Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Rock Climbing Gear
- Helmet, UIAA/CE approved for climbing
- Harness with belay loop
- Climbing Shoes
- Approach Shoes (optional, bring if you have them)
- Nut Tool, for removing nuts/stoppers (optional)
- Non-locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Belay Device
- Assisted Braking Device
- 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
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.
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- Objectives - This course is geared toward building rock climbing anchors and the gear you will need in order to do so! This course will teach you the most efficient and appropriate techniques given the type of gear you have and where you'd like to build your anchor.
- Skills
- Traditional Anchors
- Sport Anchors
- Tree/Rock Anchors (Natural)
- Gear placement
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the full day learning to build rock climbing anchors
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Basic Rope Skills - It is recommended that you can create the following knots prior to the course:
- Overhand on a bight
- Figure 8 on a bight
- Figure 8 follow through
- Clove hitch
- Double Fisherman
- Basic 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 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Rock Climbing Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
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
- Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Rock Climbing Gear
- Helmet, UIAA/CE approved for climbing
- Harness with belay loop
- Climbing Shoes
- Approach Shoes (optional, bring if you have them)
- Nut Tool, for removing nuts/stoppers (optional)
- Non-locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Belay Device
- Assisted Braking Device
- 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
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 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. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsExcellent rock anchor building course!
I took the Anchor Building course and it was excellent. The full day allowed for lots of content and practice, and we even climbed an easy route and got to see how these skills would be used on a multi-pitch outing. I highly recommend their courses.
Elena S.Verified Buyer
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