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One Day Courses
· Two-Day Courses ·
Multi-Day Packages ·
Advanced Courses
Private instruction/Guided Climbing
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Course
Calendar
Course Locations: June 5 through Sept 11 at Idyllwild
All
other dates at Joshua Tree National Park
ONE DAY COURSES
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Basic Rock Climbing class at Joshua Tree. |
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 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 rappelling. Classes are taught on low-angle, moderate rock suitable for novices.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5, 26, December 10, 27
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 7, 28, February 4, March
3, 31, April 21, May 5
$135
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Figure Eight knot. |
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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 6, 27, December 11, 28
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 8, 29, February 5, March
4, April 1, 22, May 6
$135
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You'll learn the Klemheist knot in our Rescue One class. |
RESCUE ONE
This class provides you with the essentials to perform basic self rescue skills for you and your partner. The itinerary includes: friction hitches for slings and cord, improvised rope ascension, backing up rappels with an auto block knot, how to rescue a fallen climber using an auto-locking (ie. Gri-Gri) device, lowering system with a re-directed auto-locking device, lowering system with a munter hitch backed-up with an auto block knot, the tandem rappel system, and the basic 3 to 1 "Z" raising system with an auto-locking device.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 9, December 3
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 16, February 11, March 19,
April 6, May 14, 19
$145
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Practicing the rescue of a fallen climber, Rescue Two class at Joshua Tree. |
RESCUE TWO
This class teaches you the more complex rescue systems that must be accomplished without the aid of an auto-locking (ie. Gri Gri) device. The itinerary includes: the belay escape, how to rescue a fallen lead climber, rigging a 3 to 1 and 5 to 1 raising system, and lowering systems with a knot pass.
Prerequisite: Rescue One or equivalent.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree):
November 20, December 4
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree):
February 12, March 20, April 7, May 20
$145
TWO-DAY COURSES
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Lisa Lafortune enjoying her rock climbing class at Joshua Tree. Photo by Hoan Dolinh. |
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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5-6, 26-27, December 10-11,
27-28
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 7 - 8, 28 - 29,
February 4 - 5, March 3 - 4, March 31 - April 1, April 21 - 22, May
5-6
$270
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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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5-6, 12-13, December 3-4,
12-13, 27-28, 29-30
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 14 -
15, 28 - 29, February 6 - 7, 11 - 12, March 5 - 6, 10 - 11, 15 - 16, April 23 -
24, 28 - 29, May 7 - 8, 26 - 27
$270 (each day can also be taken
separately for $135/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 class 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. Limited to three students maximum.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): October 29-30, November 7-8, 14-15,
26-27, December 17-18, 29-30
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree):
January 14 - 15, 16 - 17, 21 - 22, February 13 - 14, 18 - 19, March 12 - 13, 17
- 18, April 28 - 29, May 12 - 13, 26 - 27
$295 (limited to 3
students)
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Students practicing rescue techniques during our Rescue class at Idyllwild. |
2-DAY RESCUE CLASS
Combines Rescue One and Rescue Two for a comprehensive self-rescue class that covers virtually every scenario you may encounter while climbing.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): December 3-4
Winter/Spring 2012
(Joshua Tree): February 11 - 12, March 19 - 20, April 6 - 7, May 19 -
20
$290
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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 12-13, December 17-18
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 21 - 22, May 12 -
13
$295 (limited to 3 students)
MULTI-DAY PACKAGES
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Terri Condon leading a trad route at Joshua Tree. |
3-DAY LEADING & RESCUE
Combine the 2-Day Leading with
Rescue One for a comprehensive three-day leader's
class.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 7-9
Winter/Spring 2012
(Joshua Tree): January 14 - 16, March 17 - 19, May 12 - 14
$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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5-8, December 10-13, 27-30
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): February 4 - 7, March 3 - 6, April
21 - 24, May 5 - 8
$540
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Leader's rack. |
4-DAY LEADING & RESCUE
Combine the 2-Day Leading with the 2-Day Rescue class for a comprehensive four-day class.
Winter/Spring 2011 (Joshua Tree): April 20-23
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): March 17 - 20
$590
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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.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5-8, 12-15, December 27-30
Winter/Spring 2012 (Joshua Tree): January 14 - 17, February 11 - 14,
March 10 - 13, 15 - 18
$565
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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 One on day five for our most comprehensive course.
Fall 2011 (Joshua Tree): November 5-9
Winter/Spring 2012
(Joshua Tree): March 15 - 19
$685
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: |
$145 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.
Course Dates and Costs to be announced
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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