The deep canyons and striking towers near Moab and Indian Creek, UT offer the finest sandstone crack climbing in the country. With perfect parallel-sided cracks and awe-inspiring desert scenery, this is a truly special place to climb.
The most highly trained and skilled guides
All Peak Mountain Guides rock climbing staff hold Rock Guide Certification from the American Mountain Guides Association. This elite qualification, along with years of experience on the rock, ensures you are in good hands when you climb with us. While we are proud of our credentials, we are also pleased to represent some of the finest outdoor teachers and leaders in the industry. All of our programs reflect this, with an emphasis on a comfortable learning environment and on giving you tangible skills that will benefit you on future outings.
Learn to rock climb in an incredible setting
If you are a beginning climber, during your time with us you will learn how to smear and edge your feet, how to execute a hand and foot jam, how to tie into the rope, how to belay and rappel, and how to position your body for fluidity and grace on the rock. All of these skills will improve your climbing and enjoyment at any destination.
Expand your skills and hone your movement
If you are an advanced climber, we will make sure your movement is honed and efficient by offering clear instruction for refinement of your technique and thoughtful feedback as you practice and learn. Other skills we may address include anchor building, multi-pitch climbing systems, advanced crack climbing techniques, or aid climbing. We may visit the crack climbing paradise of Indian Creek Canyon to experience some of the most coveted crack climbs in the world such as "The Incredible Hand Crack", or we may venture into the backcountry to climb a stunning desert tower such as South Six Shooter Tower, Ancient Art Tower, or Castleton Tower.
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, Wall Street, or Indian Creek Canyon 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: South Six Shooter (II 5.8), 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 Indian Creek programs are offered in partnership with the Certified Guides Federation. The Certified Guides Federation operates under special use permit from the Moab and Monticello Field Offices of the Bureau of Land Management*
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