The deep canyons and striking towers near Moab and Castle Valley offer outstanding climbing in a beautiful desert environment. With perfect parallel-sided cracks, stunning rock towers, and awe-inspiring desert scenery, this is a truly special place to climb.
Climb with an AMGA Certified Rock Climbing Guide
All Peak Mountain Guides rock climbing staff hold Rock Guide Certification from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). We are the only company in the region to guarantee your program will be led by an AMGA certified guide. This high credential along with our years of experience on the rock ensures you are in good hands when you climb with us.
Learn to rock climb, hone crack climbing skills, or experience a multi-pitch climb
In Moab we are able to accommodate all levels of climbing ability, from new beginners to advanced multi-pitch climbers. The sandstone walls and parallel sided cracks are especially well suited for developing crack climbing skills. Our guides are honed crack climbing specialists who can take your skills to the next level.
Experience the thrill of climbing a desert tower
There is nothing quite like climbing a desert tower! These "candlesticks in the sky" are amazing features of geology and offer a truly fantastic climbing experience. Join one of our AMGA certified guides for an ascent of a world-renowned tower like Castleton Tower (5.9+), Ancient Art (5.9), Sister Superior (5.10), or Fine Jade (5.11).
We design all of our programs specifically for your interests and ability. Please contact us to discuss the options for a day, weekend, or week of rock climbing around Moab. As a few examples, here are some sample itineraries:
2-Day Introduction to Rock Climbing Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for introductions and a warm welcome to Moab! After a gear check and a review of the plan for the day, you'll make the short trip to one of the nearby climbing crags. Utilizing one of the excellent beginner areas you will learn proper technique for edging and smearing with rock shoes, proper body positioning for balance and movement, and a variety of hand positions for crack and face climbing. Everyone will be introduced to belaying and will have an opportunity to practice this essential skill under the supervision of your guide. When we need a break from climbing we will learn how to rappel, another essential skill for climbing of all types. The remainder of the day will be spent expanding your comfort zone and repertoire of skills for progressively more challenging climbs.
Day 2:
We'll visit a different climbing crag today so you can experience the variety of climbing around Moab. After a moderate warm-up climb, we will introduce additional crack climbing techniques like hand jamming, foot jamming, stemming, and laybacking. Several fun climbs will serve as the context for learning these moves. When we need a break from climbing we will learn how artificial rock climbing protection works, especially "cams" and "nuts", and we will learn how to place these devices. Using these protection pieces we'll build anchors using the SRENA acronym, a helpful tool for remembering the qualities of a safe anchor. With the oversight and feedback of your instructor you will gain valuable insight into building top rope anchors, a vital skill for anyone interested in climbing on their own after the class. The remainder of the day will be spent refining your movement on the rock and enjoying some great climbs. By the end, you will be rock climbing gracefully and smiling the whole way!
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3-day Advanced Rock Seminar Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for introductions and a warm welcome to Moab! After a gear check and a review of the plan for the day, you will make the short trip to one of the nearby climbing crags. Depending on your previous experience and interests for the course, we will select one of the outstanding destinations like Ice Cream Parlor or Wall Street to begin refining your climbing technique. Focusing on body positioning and movement, we will offer suggestions and feedback to get you climbing efficiently and with minimal fatigue, two key fundamentals for challenging climbs or long routes. As you progress we will sample some of the finest routes around Moab while "dialing in" your crack and face climbing technique.
Day 2:
Depending on your interests and progress, this day may be spent at one of the crags learning systems and techniques for leading and following, or may be spent in the backcountry tackling one of the area's classic multi-pitch climbs. In either case, we will address body positioning for placing and removing rock gear, organization and efficiency at belay stances, strategies for energy conservation, and rope systems for multi-pitch rock climbing.
Day 3:
We commonly venture into the backcountry on this day to apply the full complement of skills learned during the previous days of the program. There are many great climbs for us to choose from depending on your interests and ability. We will have a discussion to ensure we choose a route that will offer excellent learning opportunities and a good challenge. Some of the possibilities include: Ancient Art Tower (III 5.9 A0 or 5.11), or Castleton Tower (III 5.9+). During the climb your guide will facilitate discussion about the application of techniques, and his/her process of decision making, so you develop a foundation for sound decision making on future climbs.
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*Peak Mountain Guides' Moab and Castle Valley programs are conducted under special use permit from the Moab Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management*
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