Gym to Crag Rock Climbing Course
Learn How To Lead Climb Outdoors
Ready to take your rock climbing outside? Our Gym to Crag rock climbing course is designed for indoor climbers who want to learn the skills needed to climb safely and confidently at outdoor crags. In this one day course, our expert, local guides teach you how to select and use modern climbing equipment, build and clean anchors, communicate with your partner, rappel, belay, and lead outdoor sport routes.
Our Gym to Crag courses are offered in Rifle, Grand Junction, or Boulder, Colorado, combining hands on instruction with plenty of time for climbing practice. Your guide will tailor the day to your experience and goals, helping you become a more confident and independent climbing partner.
Course Description: Introductory rock climbing course for indoor climbers learning how to climb outdoors. Routes range in difficulty starting at 5.7, depending on the crag selection.
Prerequisites: Previous indoor rock climbing experience required. Climbers should be comfortable toproping 5.8, at least.
Schedule: 1 full day (8 hours) of instruction and climbing. The Gym to Crag rock climbing course is offered on a request basis, get in touch to choose your own dates.
Group Size: Small ratio course with a maximum of 4 climbers per guide.
Location: The Gym to Crag course is offered in Grand Junction, Rifle, and Boulder, Colorado.
Pricing: $399 per climber, with a minimum of 2 climbers.
What You’ll Learn On The Gym to Crag Course
Climbing outside involves more than transferring your gym climbing movement techniques to a outdoor cliff. During this course you'll learn about outdoor specific climbing equipment, how to communicate with your partner, assess routes, and use the fundamental systems required for outdoor sport climbing.
Climbing equipment selection
How to belay a lead climber
Communication strategies
How to build and clean toprope anchors
Rappelling
How to lead sport climbs
Rock climbing movement instruction
Introduction to basic rescue systems
Plan Your Gym to Crag Climbing Course
Who Is The Gym To Crag Rock Climbing Course For?
This course is designed for climbers who have experience climbing indoors and are ready to learn how to climb outside. You don't need previous outdoor climbing experience, but you should be comfortable climbing and belaying in a climbing gym.
The course is ideal for gym climbers preparing for their first outdoor climbing trip, climbers who want to become more self-sufficient at the crag, or partners who want professional instruction on outdoor climbing safety systems.
Rock Climbing Courses in Rifle, Grand Junction, & Boulder
Rifle, Colorado: Rifle Mountain Park is one of Colorado's premier sport climbing destinations, with hundreds of limestone routes ranging from beginner-friendly climbs to advanced routes. Its concentration of single pitch sport climbing makes Rifle an excellent setting for learning outdoor climbing systems and practicing your skills on real rock.
Boulder, Colorado: Boulder offers a wide variety of accessible outdoor climbing close to the Front Range. Your guide can select terrain appropriate for your experience and use the day to focus on the skills you need to become a more confident outdoor climber. Popular venues include crags in Boulder Canyon or Clear Creek Canyon.
Grand Junction: With climbing areas like Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument nearby, Grand Junction is an ideal base for developing your outdoor climbing skills.