2-Day Intensive Big Wall Course
2-Day Intensive Big Wall Course
- 6/7-6/8 @ Donner Summit, CA
- $599 per Person
- 4 Students per Instructor
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
Learn the skills you need to tackle overnight big wall climbs!
This weekend is for experienced multi-pitch trad climbers to get hands-on, expert instruction on all the fundamental aspects of big wall climbing: aid leading, ascending a rope, hauling, and planning.
You can’t learn everything about big walling in a weekend (perhaps a lifetime) but you will be ready to start up Grade V walls on your own and learn by doing!
Who is this course for?
- You have extensive personal, multi-pitch trad climbing experience.
- You are serious about learning to big wall climb.
- You want intense practical skills training.
Itinerary
Week Before: We will meet on Zoom for an hour or so the week before the course to meet each other, cover some introductory material, and field any questions about the course and gear. This meeting will allow us to take complete advantage of our in-person time together!
Day 0: I highly recommend that you arrive at our location on this evening so that you can get a good night’s sleep and be well-prepared for the days ahead.
Day 1: We will get introduced to and practice the main fundamental skills of wall climbing; aiding (leading), jugging (following), and hauling and their primary variations.Â
Day 2: We’ll cover some anchor/rope management and then demonstrate a pendulum and a lower-out. The bulk of this day will be running everyone through a 2-pitch aid route; this is where it all comes together! You get thrown in the deep end but it all starts to click.
Extra Day or Two!: This is totally optional and would incur an additional cost but if you’re available after the course why not put all your new skills to the test by spending the night high on a cliff side?! Or perhaps just get an additional day of private instruction to really lock things in. Contact us after booking to secure one of these first come first serve days.
Curriculum
This is A LOT! Our days will be packed.
- Gear Selection
- Picking an Objective
- Planning, Packing, and Strategy
- Leading (Top Stepping, Bounce Testing, Daisy or not?)
- Following/Jugging (The two styles of jugging, Getting the perfect lengths, types of backups and pros/cons)
- Hauling (Rigging, docking, and releasing the bag, 1:1, 2:1)
- Rope Management
- Order of Operations
- Anchor Management
- Lower Out
- Pendulum
- Descending
- Knots + Hitches (Butterfly, Munter Mule Overhand)
- Mock 2 Pitch Climb
What's Included?
- Ropes
- Haul bag
- Anchor equipment
- 16 hours of practical full-on instruction
- All photos/videos from the course
Not Included
- Airfare
- Lodging/Camping
- Local travel/car rental
- Food or Snacks
- Travel/Trip Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
- Anything on the What to Bring tab
What to Bring
Note:It would be most ideal to have your own equipment to practice with but if you aren’t ready to buy gear contact us and we can see what we can lend you.
A Notebook – This is the most important thing you can bring. We are going to cover an insane amount of material. If you do not take notes or otherwise record the lessons you will get very little out of the course.Â
Climbing Gear:
- Helmet
- Harness
- Shoes for aiding (anything works really, stiffer approach shoes ideal)
- 5-6 locking carabiners (“D” and HMS shape)
- Belay Devices (GriGri style and ATC style)
- Anchor/rescue material (ie cordalette or quad length sling)
- Daisy chains (adjustable or sewn, LONG)
- Ascenders
- Microtraxion or similar
- Fifi hook (for sewn daisies)
- Aid Ladder (spreader bar)
- Gloves
- Double rack of cams
- 30+ liter backpack
Clothes:
- Sun Glasses
- Sun Shirt
- Sun Hat
- Thin Pants for climbing
- Solid Shoes for the approach
- Warm Puffy Jacket
- Rain Coat
Food:
- Please bring your own food.
Prerequisites
This clinic is valuable to those new to big wall climbing as well as those who have practiced some of the skills before or even attempted a big wall.
In order to make the most of our time together please observe these prerequisites:
- Multi-pitch trad climbing experience (20+ routes sharing the lead).
- Climbing 5.9 outside.
- Fitness for some steep approaches and long days at the crag.
- Seriously interested in climbing big walls.
Unsure of these prerequisites? Please contact us before booking.
Possible Course Locations
Next Course Details
- 6/7-6/8 @ Donner Summit, CA
- 599 per Person
- 4 Students per Instructor
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
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