Gym-to-Crag Course on Mt. Lemmon

​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 two-day Gym-to-Crag Course is designed for those who have had the opportunity to climb indoors and familiarize 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, 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, and AMGA Certified Single-Pitch Instructor.

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 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 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.
  • ​Intermediate anchor skills will be demonstrated, and practiced, with the use of a static line.
  • 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 MEETING LOCATION

INCLUSIONS
  • Guiding and Instruction with an AMGA Certified Single-Pitch Instructor
  • Supplemental equipment available upon request

EXCLUSIONS
  • Transportation to Tucson, 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 | $325 pp/day
​2:1 | $190 pp/day
3:1 | $165 pp/day
DIFFICULTY
Select your preferred date below: