Introduction to Sport Climbing
Climbing, Camping & Crag-Side Adventures
Several Dates Available
starting from $325
Trip Summary
Join us in the Eastern Sierra in Alabama Hills, just out of Lone Pine, California.
Looking to take your climbing to the next level? Learn how to lead bolted climbs and set up anchors on sport climbs.
This course is for you if you’ve been top rope climbing for 6 months or more and are looking to get into leading in a fun and supportive environment!
In this class, we’ll talk through all of the gear for sport climbing, how to clip quickdraws, clipping stances and techniques, lead belaying, and taking falls.
We’ll also cover building and cleaning anchors, rappelling and lowering off of various types of anchors. Once we’ve practiced for a while, we’ll spend a few hours mock-leading while safely on top-rope.
At the end of the course, everyone will get an opportunity to lead their first sport climb (or two or three)!
2024 Dates
$425 - Camp & Climb Weekend
$325 - Climb Weekend - but you take care of your own lodging / breakfast
May 10-12, 2024
May 31 - June 2, 2024
Highlights
Small group setting allowing for focused instruction.
Learn how to climb bolted routes.
Become confident on setting up sport climbing anchors.
Climb under the gaze of Mt. Whitney in the skyline.
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What’s Included
Professional female AMGA rock guide
4:1 client to guide ratio with a max group size of 8 clients, 2 guides
Guided climbing for intermediate climbers
Ropes & other protection for anchor building, quick draws
Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast and beverages
Campsites for Friday and Saturday night.
Permit fees
% of sales goes back to the park
Special discount to shop at Alpinistas store for climbing gear
Activity, Fitness & Skills
Climbing: You should be comfortable top-roping 5.8-9 in the gym to fully enjoy this course.
Climbing spots are quickly accessible from your car so minimal hiking will take place. There will be plenty of breaks during instruction segments.
You should have at least 6 months of top rope experience.
Accommodations
Campground camp sites
Client to provide own tent and sleeping gear. No camp gear will be provided for this event unless you upgrade at checkout. Upgrade includes large tent + cot!
OR - just join us for climbing and head off to your own motel instead of camping.
Not Included
Transfers to and from trailheads but we’re carpooling
Dinners, Lunch, snacks
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
Guide gratuities
Personal climbing gear: helmet, harness, shoes, belay device, locking carabiner (we have gear available to rent)
Personal camping gear (we have gear available to rent)
Personal items
Alabama Hills Climbing Weekend
Itinerary
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Friday
Meet at Tuttle Creek Campground any time after 4PM.
We’ll have signs up so that you can find us!
Set up your tent, BYO dinner, and get to know your fellow climbers!
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Saturday
Breakfast with the group. Then, head to the climbing site!
First things first, we’ll discuss all of our gear, go over critical safety rules, and then we’ll break into the principles of sport climbing!
We’ll cover racking, clipping, clipping stances, what happens when you get to an anchor.
After lunch, we’ll get into anchor building, safely cleaning your anchors, and lowering off or rappelling, depending on the type of anchor.
In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to camp to relax and enjoy our BYO dinner together.
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Sunday
Time to review everything you’ve learned!
We’ll break up into small groups and review everything we learned on day one, and then we’ll hop on some mock leads.
Our instructors will help you with your technique as you get used to the process of leading sport climbs.
As we finish our review, it’s time to jump on a real lead or two! We’ll take you to a great beginner area with well-bolted routes.
Once we’ve all had a few chances to show off our new skills, we’ll pack up, toast to our accomplishments, and say our goodbyes.
Expect to end near 3PM but you have the option to depart earlier if travel plans require.
Helpful for booking
What to expect after you book your reservation
After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Over the following weeks as you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming packing lists, itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as start time and driving directions. The week of the event, you should be ready to go and you will receive a final email introducing your guides, providing you with their contact information and other last minute notes.
Your event does require a certain minimum number of participants to run. Don’t worry though, our group size is naturally quite small to keep it special and relaxing experience so the minimum booking requirement is also lower than other guide services.
What is the closest airport?
The nearest airport to Lone Pine is Bishop (BIH).
Booking airfare?
If you are flying in for this trip, please contact us before booking airfare to make sure that your trip is confirmed. We require a minimum number of participants to operate.
General weather expectations
Eastern Sierra desert daytime temperatures can range between 60 to 75 degrees F, with overnight lows dropping to the 40s or 50s. You may encounter even colder temperatures overnight. This event will be rescheduled if it rains or snows in the area that we are climbing.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend travel insurance to protect your trip in the event unforeseeable circumstances or illness comes up that interferes with your ability to join the trip.
Save Up to 10% On This Trip
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“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”
— Ashley
“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Emily and Joanne! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”
- Rebecca
What People Are Saying about Alpinistas
“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”
— Katarina
“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”