Moab Classic Climbs
Overview
Moab is world-renowned for its climbing, with a rich history dating back to the 1970s when pioneers like Earl Wiggins, Charlie Fowler, Jay Smith, and Kyle Copeland established many of the classic routes still climbed today. These early climbers transformed the desert around Moab into a world-class crack climbing destination, developing what are now known as the “Moab Classic Crack Climbs.”
A guided day with our experienced desert guides brings this history to life while giving you access to some of the best climbing the Moab area has to offer.
Moab Classic Rock Climbing Overview
A guided rock climbing experience in Moab focused on classic desert routes and iconic sandstone climbing.
Who It’s For
Climbers of all levels—from beginners looking for their first outdoor experience to experienced climbers wanting to refine technique on world-class cracks.
What You’ll Learn
- Fundamental and advanced crack climbing techniques
- Efficient movement on sandstone desert rock
- Technical skills including belaying and how to tie in.
- Confidence-building skills in a real outdoor setting
Why Choose This Experience
- Climb historic routes established by legendary desert climbers
- Experience Moab’s world-class sandstone climbing firsthand
- Learn from experienced local desert guides
- Enjoy a personalized day tailored to your skill level and goals
Moab Full & 1/2 Day Climbs
Meeting times and location will be determined by the season and guide.
From there you will approach to one of the classic crags minutes outside of the Moab area. Your guide will set you up on a progression of appropriate routes. From there you can work on skills or just enjoy being outside in the red desert canyons.
Full Day Pricing:
1 person $380
2 people $240 / pp
3 people $200 / pp
4+ people $185 / pp
1/2 Day Pricing:
1 person $280
2 people $165 / pp
3 people $150 / pp
4+ people $130 / pp
Please click here to inquire about specific dates or private trips.
Unless other arrangements have been made, trips leave from Lion's Park, near the Moab bridge. You will follow your guide to one of the many climbing sites are close to town.
FOOTWEAR
- Approach Shoe - Guide Pick: BD Technician Pro
- Technical Rock Shoe: comfortable fit. -an aggressive fitting climbing, sport climbing shoe is not recommended.
CLOTHING
- Synthetic Shorts for approach (optional)
- Pant for Climbing
- Long Sleeve and/or Short Sleeve Synthetic T-shirt
- Warm Layer for chilly mornings (fleece or light down jacket)
- Lightweight Wind Shell
- 35- 40 Liter backpack
- 15-20 Pack for Multi Pitch / Tower climbs
ACCESSORIES
- 2 to 3 Liters of Water
- Lunch + Snacks for the day
- Sunscreen
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT The Mountain Guides does provide technical climbing equipment (if you need any of the options on the list please let us know in advance) If you have your own, your are more than welcome to bring use it.
- Harness / Helmet
- 3 Locking Carabineers
- Belay/Rappel Device
- Rappel / Leather / Garden gloves
- Personal Attachment System
Have gear questions? We’re here to help! Email us at moab@jhmg.com.
See more about gear, including recommendations and discounts from our gear partner Black Diamond here.
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 Lion's Park, near the Moab bridge. Meeting times are determined by the season and guide. 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.
I climb 5.10 in the gym. What should I expect with the crack climbing grades in the Moab area?
Know that you have a good foundation if you are training and spending time climbing in the gym or other sport climbing areas. Do KNOW that you need to throw out any ratings from sport climbing and the gym when you step outside into the world of crack climbing. Crack climbing in Moab is it's own beast. The routes are sustained and strenuous. The is no correlation between gym route grades and Moab climbing. You need to show up with an open mind for learning a new climbing technique.
Crack climbing sounds hard. Will I be able to do it?
Crack climbing is a different learning curve than face climbing. Think of climbing like swimming. You can swim but can you do the butterfly? Crack climbing is it's own discipline of climbing that can be mastered with an open mind and a little time with the guidance of one of our experienced guides.
Why Should I go with JHMG?
We always say that there are times to be budget conscious and times when you want the best. Things like surgery, sky diving lessons and mountain/rock climbing are times when you really don't want to be looking for a bargain. But if you are looking for an adventure of a lifetime, with a well trained, certified and experienced guide service, you found one in JHMG. But these are just words. What sets us apart and what should you be looking for in a guide service? Good question, I am glad you asked. First off. JHMG is the second oldest guiding service in the US. We have 48 Years of experience, which means that we have had time to refine our client processes, risk management procedures and have emerged a well-oiled machine, that knows how to provide a high level of service and do it safely. Second, JHMG is a National Park Service concessioner. Our National Park Service is unscrupulous at vetting it's concessioners. Not only do they pay close attention to our operations, but require visibility into our finances, insurance, hiring practices, environmental management practices, risk management practices and our customer satisfaction. In short. We are required to run a very tight ship and we go under review EVERY YEAR!!!! We welcome this scrutiny as an opportunity to make us better, and we apply this same high level of operation to every location we operate in. So you don't just have to take our word for it, the National Park Service stands behind our integrity as a company. In the end however, we are a company of passionate people who live and breath adventure. We understand that to be the best, we need to seek out the best people and offer them a home and a professional opportunity. All JHMG guides are employees, not subcontractors. They have retirement accounts, workers comp and are paid as professionals. JHMG is also accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association. Which means that our guides are not only vetted by an AMGA certified guide, but many undergo rigorous certification by a this third party organization in the discipline that they guide. But risk is a part of what we do. So it is important that in the event of an incident, that our guides are capable of delivering a high level of care. This is why all certified guides at JHMG are required to have at least Wilderness First Responder Medical training and many of our guides have gone on to get higher levels of medical training like Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC). I hope that the picture that is being painted is one of a professional, experienced and well trained guiding company. But what about customer service? We know that your time is precious, and we appreciate that you have a choice in how you spend that time. That is why we take customer service very seriously. From the moment you contact us, you will be treated with respect and professionalism. Not just by our guides, but by the number of people who work behind the scenes to make sure that your adventure goes off without a hitch. We can't control the weather, but we endeavor to make your experience everything you want it to be. So, if you are looking for a inexpensive guiding service for a one off adventure, we are probably not a great fit. But if you want a professional, experienced team of people who will work hard to give you the experience of a lifetime, then look no further than Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.