Gym-to-Crag Course


What is a Gym-to-Crag Course?
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The flagship course of Granite Mountain Guides, the Gym-to-Crag will make your transition from the climbing gym to the outdoor crag as smooth as ever!

Our 2-day Gym-to-Crag Course is designed for those who have climbed indoors and familiarized themselves with common climbing systems such as top-roping and/or lead climbing. This course is all-encompassing and starts off with a ground school session at Gecko, where the fundamentals of bolted top-rope anchors and the differences between outdoor climbing versus indoor climbing are discussed. From there it provides the necessary skills to either rappel or lower back to the ground and retrieve your rope at the end of the day at the crag. Every participant will have an opportunity to practice all of these new skills while under the supervision of an experienced, AMGA Certified Single-Pitch Instructor.

****This course is held over 2 days, a  4-hour evening session at Gecko and 6 hours at the crag the following day. The outdoor session of the currently-scheduled GtC's will be held at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Gecko Gym Members:
Please use code GECKOMEMBER to receive 20% off! Your membership information will be verified prior to the course start date. Thank you!

This course does NOT include instruction on how to lead climb. If you have practiced lead climbing in the climbing gym, then course participants will be provided opportunities to practice those skills during this course.

COURSE SCHEDULE:
JANUARY 23/24
FEBRUARY 14/15 (YOUTH 13 -17; ESA ACCEPTED)
FEBRUARY 20/21
​MARCH 20/21

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN A GYM TO CRAG COURSE?

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 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 the fundamentals of Leave No Trace ethics
  • Learn the fundamentals of setting up an outdoor top-rope system on a bolted anchor​
  • Application of additional common climbing knots & hitches for top-rope anchors
  • Cleaning the anchor and setting up a rappel or lower.
  • Rock climbing gear considerations and selection
  • Technical climbing instruction on rock

COURSE LOCATION

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
  • Guiding and Instruction with an AMGA Certified Single-Pitch Instructor
  • Entrance to Gecko for evening session
  • Supplemental equipment available upon request

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
  • Transportation to Tom's Thumb Trailhead 
  • 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
In Collaboration With
DIFFICULTY
YOUTH-SPECIFIC COURSE FEBRUARY 14-15
The Youth Gym-to Crag is available for kids age 13-17. For kids under age 13, reach out to us to book a private course, We strongly recommend that kids are, at minimum, top rope belay certified, but preferably, lead belay certified by Gecko before signing up for this course. 

Granite Mountain Guides is an approved ESA vendor. If you would like to use your ClassWallet account to pay for this course, please email [email protected] to book and receive an invoice to submit.
Gecko Climbing Gym Members Receive 20% Off!
(Two Participant Minimum for Course to Run; Three participant Minimum for Youth Course.