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One Day Courses
· Two-Day Courses ·
Multi-Day Packages ·
Advanced Courses
Private instruction/Guided Climbing
· AMGA SPI Course & Exam ·
Course
Calendar
Course Locations: June 23 through Sept 4 at Idyllwild
All
other dates at Joshua Tree National Park
ONE DAY COURSES
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Top roping at Joshua Tree National Park. |
BASIC ROCK CLIMBING
If you have never done any climbing, or need a refresher, here's where
to start. This is an introduction to the world of rock climbing with an
emphasis on safety and fun. The class covers the absolute essentials for safely
climbing steep rock and is a valuable course for those wishing to pursue
mountaineering. Course itinerary: equipment, knots, anchoring, belaying,
communication signals, rating system, climbing techniques, and rapelling.
Classes are taught on low-angle, moderate rock suitable for novices.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): May 2
Summer 2009 (Idyllwild): June
18 (Thursday), June 27, July 5 (Sunday), August 1, September 5
$125
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Vertical Adventures Intermediate rock climbing class at Suicide Rock. Photo by Tony Grice. |
INTERMEDIATE ONE
After reviewing fundamentals (knots, anchoring, and belaying) you'll
complete a progression of climbs where a broad range of more challenging
climbing techniques are encountered, from the subtleties of edging and smearing
used in face climbing, to jamming and liebacking used in crack climbing.
Protected by a top-rope, each student is given personalized coaching and is
allowed to progress to the limit of their ability. This class also includes an
introduction to anchoring fundamentals using nuts and camming
devices.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): May 3
Summer 2009
(Idyllwild): June 19 (Friday), June 28, July 6 (Monday), August 2,
September 6
$125
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Rescue class at Joshua Tree. |
RESCUE BASICS
This one-day course is designed to provide you with the tools
necessary to get yourself or your partner out of many tough situations, using
only the basic climbing gear you would normally have with you. Topics include:
retreating from a route, rapelling safeguards, how to tie-off a fallen climber
and escape a loaded belay, rope ascending techniques (prussiking), and basic
raising and lowering systems. An invaluable course for the serious climber.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): April 27, May 18,27
Summer 2009
(Idyllwild): June 15, July 11, July 13, August 17, September
7
$145
TWO-DAY COURSES
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Basic rock climbing class at Joshua Tree National Park. |
2-DAY ROCKCRAFT SEMINAR
Our most popular beginner's course, this seminar combines
Basic Rock Climbing on Saturday with
Intermediate One on Sunday, allowing you to
maximize your learning capacity during one weekend.
Spring 2009 (Joshua
Tree): May 2-3
Summer 2009 (Idyllwild): June 18-19, June 27-28,
July 5-6 (Sunday-Monday), August 1-2, September 5-6
$245
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The stopper is one of the most common rock climbing anchors. |
2-DAY ANCHORING & CLIMBING
This two-day course, combining anchoring and climbing skills, is the
next step after the Rockcraft Seminar and the
perfect course for the experienced indoor gym climber or sport climber who
wishes to learn "trad" or traditional climbing techniques. Each day is a
balance of time spent working with equipment and time spent on the rock
improving climbing technique. You'll have "hands-on" practice assembling and
rigging a variety of anchor systems with critique from your guide, and you'll
work on refining crack and face climbing techniques. Course includes: lecture
on equipment characteristics and specifications, detailed placement criteria
and assessment for nuts and camming devices, top-rope anchoring principals and
equalization methods using slings and cordellettes, and use of extension ropes
for rigging top-rope anchors.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): May 4-5,
9-10, 23-24
Summer 2009 (Idylllwild): June 20-21, July 7-8, July
18-19, August 8-9, September 7-8
$245 (each day can also be taken
separately for $125/day)
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The "rack" is the complete assortment of rock climbing gear carried by the leader. |
2-DAY LEADING
This two-day course focuses on leading fundamentals. You'll learn what
it takes to become a competent leader: confidence in technique and ability to
place reliable protection and sound anchors. You'll practice placement and
removal of all the various state-of-the-art protection devices, with pointers
from your guide, and, under close supervision, and top-rope protection, you
will execute simulated lead climbs.
Placing gear on the lead, use of slings
to reduce rope drag, proper carabiner clip-ins and alignment, belaying
strategies and rope management for multi-pitch climbs, and route finding skills
are among the topics covered.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): April 25-26,
May 16-17, 25-26
Summer 2009 (Idyllwild): June 13-14, July 11-12,
August 15-16, September 5-6
$295
2-DAY CRACK CLIMBING TECHNIQUE with Erik Kramer-Webb
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Crack climbing connoisseur Erik Kramer-Webb at Indian Creek. |
Joshua Tree is the perfect place to improve your crack climbing
skills. In this two day class you will learn the techniques required to climb a
wide variety of crack sizes, including: thin cracks, hand cracks, off widths,
chimneys, dihedrals, and flaring cracks. Erik will set up top ropes on crack
climbs mostly in the 5.6 to 5.9 range. The skills covered in the class will
include: finger locks, ring locks, hand jams, fist jams, hand stacks, arm bars,
chicken wings, toe jams, foot jams, heel-toe jams, foot stacks, stemming,
laybacking, and the undercling technique.
In addition we will explore topics
such as:
- Hand taping methods.
- When is it better to jam and when is it better to layback?
- When is stemming the best option?
- Is it better to jam with thumbs down or thumbs up?
- Should you rest with elbows bent or elbows straight?
- Should you lock off low or high when placing or cleaning protection?
- Mixed crack and face routes.
- How does rock type influence technique? (i.e. granite vs. sandstone vs. basalt, etc)
- Training tips.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): April 25-26
Summer 2009
(Idyllwild): July 25-26
$295 (limited to 3 students)
MULTI-DAY PACKAGES
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Klemheist knot used for rope ascension. |
3-DAY LEADING & RESCUE
Combine the 2-Day Leading with a final
day of Rescue Basics for a comprehensive Leader's
Seminar.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): April 25-27, May 16-18,
25-27
Summer 2009 (Idyllwild): June 13-15, July 11-13, August 15-17,
September 5-7
$440
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The spring loaded camming device is one of the most useful anchoring devices for rock climbing. |
4-DAY ROCKCRAFT
Our most comprehensive beginning seminar combines the
2-Day Rockcraft Seminar with the
2-Day Anchoring & Climbing.
Climbing on consecutive days in the best way to refine technique and quickly
progress.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): May 2-5
Summer 2009
(Idyllwild): June 18-21, July 5-8, September 5-8
$490
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Hex placement. |
4-DAY ANCHORING & LEADING
Start with the 2-Day Anchoring
& Climbing then continue with the 2-Day
Leading for a thorough course covering everything from rigging top-rope
anchors to the fundamentals of Lead Climbing.
Spring 2009 (Joshua
Tree): May 23-26
$525
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Angelina Kalianda leading The Vampire, a 5.11 rock climb on Tahquitz Rock. Photo by Tony Grice. |
5-DAY ANCHORING, LEADING & RESCUE
Combine the 4-Day Anchoring &
Leading with Rescue Basics on day five for our
most comprehensive Leading Course.
Spring 2009 (Joshua Tree): May
23-27
$645
ADVANCED COURSES
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Big Wall student Michelle Kemmer practicing aid climbing technique on The Pirate at Suicide Rock. |
BIG WALL SEMINAR
This two-day course teaches the famed "Yosemite Method" of direct aid climbing, useful to anyone who aspires to climb the big walls. Stressing simplicity and safety, we'll cover various types of direct aid placements, jumarring techniques, leading and cleaning aid pitches, establishing hanging belays, hauling heavy loads, tension-traverses and pendulums. Taught by a veteran Yosemite Big Wall climber, this seminar will save you valuable time and reduce the frustration involved in learning the secrets of big wall climbing.
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By appointment, per day, one person: |
$315 |
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Two people: |
$175 each |
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Three people: |
$115 each |
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Peter Croft leading Astroturf (5.10 R) on the North Astro Dome at Joshua Tree National Park. |
PETER CROFT AND BOB GAINES JOSHUA TREE ROCK CLIMBING WEEKEND
Peter Croft is one of
America's legendary rock climbers, and Bob Gaines is one of Joshua Tree's most
experienced guides, with over twenty seasons guiding at Joshua Tree National
Park. Bob's route knowledge and selection skills, combined with Peter's expert
coaching ability, will give you the ideal environment to break through to your
next level. Designed for experienced rock climbers with ability to follow 5.10
routes, everyone is guaranteed a challenge. Join Peter and Bob for a memorable
weekend of Joshua Tree's classic rock climbs.
November 8-9, 2008 (Joshua
Tree):
$295
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John Bachar climbing Crack A Go Go, Yosemite Valley. |
JOHN BACHAR AND BOB GAINES 2-DAY ROCK TECHNIQUE AT JOSHUA TREE
John Bachar has been at
the forefront of American rock climbing for three decades, considered by many
to be the one of the sport's greatest traditional rock climbers of all time.
Bob Gaines is one of Joshua Tree's most experienced guides, with over twenty
seasons guiding at Joshua Tree National Park. Bob's route knowledge and
selection skills, combined with John's mastery of technique and training tips,
will give you the ideal environment to break through to your next level.
Designed for experienced rock climbers with ability to follow 5.8 - 5.10
routes, everyone is guaranteed a challenge. Join John and Bob for a memorable
weekend at Joshua Tree and boost your technique to the next level.
November 29-30, 2008 (Joshua Tree)
$295
PETER CROFT SPORTCLIMBING AT OWENS GORGE
Peter Croft is now offering private instruction and guided climbs at Owens Gorge. Located near Bishop, California, the Gorge has over 500 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.13, so everyone is guaranteed a challenge. Join Peter for an unforgettable tour of California's finest sport climbing area.
Contact us for pricing and availability.
TECHNICAL TRAINING
We have designed more technically oriented courses for a variety of police, military, and search and rescue groups, including: L.A.P.D. K9 search and rescue, Palm Springs Search and Rescue, F.B.I., U.S. Navy Seals, Marine Force Recon, and Delta Force.
STUNT COORDINATION
We have coordinated over 25 television commercials featuring rock climbing. We can provide location scouting, casting, rigging, and stunt coordination services. Contact us for a detailed resume.
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Vertical Adventures®,
Inc.
Telephone:
800.514.8785 949.854.6250
Bob Gaines, Director
BGvertical@aol.com
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