Big Wall & Aid Climbing Course
Overview
Come and learn all the fundamental skills needed to successfully climb big wall routes. Take your climbing to the next level with this 2-day course with potential to add on a third day for a desert aid route.
Prerequisites – Comfortable with long days of climbing 5.8 outside and must have experience with multi pitch climbing and basic climbing systems (belaying, rappelling, cleaning gear, etc.)
Progress through all the building blocks of clean aid climbing in the spectacular setting of Moab, UT. You are guaranteed to leave this course with a broader understanding of what it takes to climb a big wall. Whether your goals are preparing for a specific climb, seeking a new challenge, or just looking to expand your skill set, The Hook two-day clinic is for you.
Our guides for this clinic are world class and experienced in big wall climbing tactics honed from years spent in all sorts of wild and exotic destinations. They are all AMGA certified Rock Guides.
The 3-day clinic is the same as the 2-day clinic but for those that want the Big Wall experience, we are offering a third day to climb an aid route with a private guide using the skills you take away from the previous two days.
Price: 2-Day Course – $500 Per participant
Price: 3-Day Course – $1100 – Per participant
Comfortable with long days of climbing 5.8 outside and experience with multi pitch climbing and basic climbing systems (belaying, rappelling, cleaning gear, etc.)
2 Day Course
Day 1
This will be our ground school day. We will drive to a local Moab crag and practice skills like jugging, cleaning, lowering out and rope management strategies.
Day 2
This day will be used to apply your skills to smaller objectives with straightforward aid climbing. There are several small towers scattered around Moab and we’ll likely climb 2-3 of them on this day. If you are up for it, we’ll spend late afternoon preparing for the day 3 objective with a private guide.
3 Day Course
Day 1
This will be our ground school day. We will drive to a local Moab crag and practice skills like jugging, cleaning, lowering out and rope management strategies.
Day 2
This day will be used to apply your skills to smaller objectives with straightforward aid climbing. There are several small towers scattered around Moab and we’ll likely climb 2-3 of them on this day. If you are up for it, we’ll spend late afternoon preparing for the day 3 objective with a private guide.
Day 3 – Private aid route
Take day 3 to climb an aid route with the skills you learn and practice from day one and two.
You and your private guide will pick an appropriate objective for your skill and fitness level.
FOOTWEAR
- Approach Shoe – Guide Pick: Scarpa Crux or Kalipe
- Technical Rock Shoe: comfortable fit. -an aggressive fitting climbing, sport climbing shoe is not recommended.
CLOTHING
- Pant for Climbing Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Super Chockstone Pant
- Long Sleeve and/or Short Sleeve Wicking T-shirt- Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Metonic
- Long Sleeve Cotton T-shirt
- Lightweight Wind Shell – Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Super Chockstone Jacket
- 35- 40 Liter Back Pack—Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Hueco 35
- 15-20 Liter Pack for Tower Pursuits climbs Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Roll To 20 OutDry
ACCESSORIES
- 2 to 3 Liters of Water
- For Approach Pack: hydration pack 2 liters
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Roll of 2 inch Cotton Athletic Tape
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT The Mountain Guides does provide technical climbing equipment (Helmet, Harness and personal protection equipment) If you have your own, your are more than welcome to bring use it.
- Harness
- 3 Locking Carabineers
- Belay/Rappel Device
- Personal Attachment System
- Two aid ladders; Yates makes a great user friendly design (http://www.yatesgear.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=398&product_id=1004)
- Two daisy chains
- Two ascenders (black diamond, petzl and grivel all have good ascenders)
Have gear questions? We’re here to help! Contact us at the Moab Office at 435.260.0990 or moab@themountainguides.com.
The Mountain Guides does not provide lodging or accommodations.
Located in southeast Utah, Moab is approximately 236 miles from Salt Lake City, 355 miles from Denver, 115 miles from Grand Junction and 458 miles from Las Vegas. Most trips and classes leave from the RED ROCK BAKERY, 74 South Main Street across the street from the McStiff’s Plaza. Meeting times are determined by the season. Please contact 435-260-0990 for departure times. Many of our climbing sites are fairly close to town, while Indian Creek, Castle Valley and Fisher Towers take about an hour to get to. Once there however, there are miles of routes with close proximity to one another, making the walking time minimal when compared to the amount of climbing that can be achieved in a day. Climbing around Moab is usually about a 10 to 20 minute drive from downtown. The approaches are very close to the car and routes are located close together.