Introduction to Traditional Climbing Course

​This is not your average "Intro to Trad" course! Granite Mountain Guides has collected its years of experience from climbing all over the world in a wide variety of terrain to create a Traditional Climbing Course that will make you the climber you seek to climb with! This course covers placing traditional gear, how to use the terrain to your advantage, and provides foundational self-rescue skills.

Our three-day Introduction to Traditional Climbing Course is designed for those who have had the opportunity to climb outdoors and familiarize themselves with common climbing systems required for Lead Climbing. This course is all-encompassing and starts off with a ground school session, where the fundamentals of bolted and traditional anchors are re-examined and then new types of anchors are discussed. From there it provides the necessary skills to put it into practice by providing mock-lead climbs for every participant. Additionally, the basics of self-rescue will also be covered and each participant will have an opportunity to practice all of these new skills while under the supervision of an experienced, AMGA trained instructor. 

This course does NOT include instruction on how to lead climb. If you wish to learn the skills of placing traditional gear for anchors, please look at our Advanced Anchors Course.

COURSE OUTCOMES

First and foremost, we want every individual to be successful and walk away knowing that they gave their personal best and had a great time outdoors. Gaining proficiency in rock climbing anchors will aid in your ability to progress towards more challenging rock climbing objectives and venues, and will also help you to develop a well-rounded understanding of the basic safety principles and mechanisms that all climbers utilize.
  • Learn to properly lead and top-rope belay with an ATC and GriGri-style devices
  • Rope Management
  • Utilize effective communication and commands
  • Learn and practice rock craft skills
  • Learn the fundamentals of setting up an outdoor traditional anchor
  • Use surrounding rock terrain to advantage 
  • Application of self-rescue skills to safely retreat a climb
  • Rock climbing gear considerations and selection
  • Technical climbing instruction on rock
INCLUSIONS
  • Traditional rock climbing gear
  • Guiding and Instruction with an AMGA Certified Single-Pitch Instructor and Apprentice Alpine Guide or Apprentice Rock Guide
  • Supplemental equipment available upon request

EXCLUSIONS
  • Transportation to Prescott, AZ
  • Hotel costs before, during, or after the outing
  • Guide gratuity
  • Lunch food or snacks
  • Personal hiking/climbing clothing and equipment
  • All rock climbing gear (harness, helmet, rock shoes, etc.)
  • Costs associated with weather delays or other variables beyond the control of Granite Mountain Guides
Private Course Costs

1:1 | $225 pp/day
2:1 | $145 pp/day
3:1 | $115 pp/day
4:1 | $100 pp/day
DIFFICULTY
Our general offerings through 2021 are scheduled here:
If you wish to reserve a private offering, please click here: