Whether you're a beginner seeking an "Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing" course or an expert climber looking for guided multi-pitch or trad climbing adventures, our certified guides are here to help you achieve your goals. Join us for a fun and productive rock climbing course on the world-class granite of Lake Tahoe.

Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing Course

This beginner-friendly course is perfect for indoor climbers ready to explore outdoor terrain. You’ll learn how to belay in a real-world setting, move efficiently on rock, communicate with a partner, and manage risk while climbing outside. With expert instruction from AMGA-trained guides, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to safely climb top rope routes on natural rock and begin your outdoor climbing journey in one of Tahoe’s most iconic areas.

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques Course

This hands-on course is designed for experienced gym or sport climbers ready to step into the world of traditional climbing. You’ll learn how to place cams and nuts securely, assess rock quality, manage rope systems, build and evaluate anchors, and remove gear efficiently as a second. Led by AMGA-trained guides in the granite-rich terrain of Tahoe, this course lays the technical and mental groundwork for leading trad routes and progressing toward multi-pitch adventures.

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

• Objectives - Take your outdoor rock climbing to the next level with our Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques course!
• Skills
  • Types of Gear & When to Use
  • Gear Placement (as a leader)
  • Gear Cleaning (as a follower)
  • Trad Anchors
  • Trusting Your Gear

Rock Climbing Anchor Building Course

This course dives deep into the principles of anchor building, including SERENE anchor concepts, gear placement, equalization, redundancy, and common anchor failure points. You'll get hands-on experience in outdoor settings, placing cams, nuts, and building anchors using natural features and fixed gear. Whether you're preparing to lead trad routes, set up top ropes for friends, or tackle longer multi-pitch climbs, this course builds the technical foundation and judgment you need to climb with confidence and independence.

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

All rock climbing courses require at least 3 participants to run.

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 new skills and putting them into practice!


• 12:00pm - Lunch on the go


• 3:00pm - Course ends

Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing Course / Rock Climbing Anchor Building Course:

• Basic Climbing Experience - In a gym and belaying.


• 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 - You should be able to spend an active day outside, climbing.

Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques Course:

• Basic Sport Climbing Experience - Including sport anchor building, rappelling, and belaying.
  
• Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, climbing.

• AMGA Trained Guide
• Climbing Gear & Ropes
• Group Safety Gear: Guide will be equipped with a first aid kit
• Leave No Trace Materials: wag bag

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 most programs, the Single Pitch Rock Climbing Gear Guide is perfectly suitable.

If you have the skill, experience and interest in doing multi pitch climbing on your 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