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Pro Guiding Service
Domestic & International Trips & Courses with Professionally Trained Mountain Guides
Course

Intro to Rock Climbing

Overview

Learn the thrill of rock climbing with an emphasis on safety and skills.  This 2-day course will allow you to enjoy the sport with confidence. The climbing areas around North Bend are the perfect classroom, and are located just 30 miles from Seattle.

 

2024 Course Dates:

  • July 20-21
  • August 3-4
  • Call or email for custom dates
$500 Per Person
2 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
4:1, 8:2

Trip Information

$500
Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Learn how to rock climb with professional guides just 30 miles from Seattle. The climbing areas of Little Si and Exit 38 provide the perfect classroom for our guides to teach you what you need to know to become a safe and proficient sport climber and help you enter the climbing community knowledgeable and prepared. This technical knowledge will also teach you about yourself, and it is all directly applicable to your future mountain travels. If the weather does not allow us to climb in North Bend we will travel to Vantage to enjoy the east side sunshine!

We will start around 8:00am and finish up around 4:00pm each day.

If the prescheduled dates don't work for you, please contact us and we can help put together a custom course.
This course is also offered as an all-women's program.

Duration: 2
Ratio: 4:1, 8:2
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty: Easy

Skills Required: No prior rock climbing required

Fitness Level: Good


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
Learn MoreView Dates & Availability

Itinerary

Intro to Rock Climbing Course Curriculum
1. Introduction to Gear
• Gear selection
• Care of gear
• Correctly fitting rock shoes
• Correctly fitting climbing harness
• Explanation of rope types used in climbing
• Fall factors explained
2. Route Selection
• Explanation of the Y.D.S. (climbing grades)
• How to use guide books
3. Knots
• How to tie in
• Munter hitch
• Other basic knots related to sport climbing
4. Belaying
• Correct stance and position of the belayer
• Belaying devices
• Techniques for belaying a leader
• Static vs. dynamic belay
• Use of the Munter hitch for belay
• When to tie belayer into end of rope
5. Rope Management
• How to coil the rope
• Stacking the rope
• Use of rope bag or tarp
6. Anchors
• How to determine a safe anchor
• How to equalize anchors
• Anchor extension
7. Setting up Top Rope Anchors
• When to use existing gear
• Safe approach of top rope anchors
• When to set up your own top rope anchor
8. Movement Skills
• Body, hand, and foot placement
• Learning to climb with your feet
• Static vs. dynamic movement
• Sequencing
• More advanced techniques for face climbing
9. Rappelling
• Practice of single rope rappels
• Use of rappel devices
• Use of backup on rappel
10. Leading
• How to place the quick draw correctly on the bolt hanger
• Clipping the rope correctly to the quick draw
• Setting up a mock lead
• Leading sport climbs

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$500
per person
Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • T-shirt - midweight or lightweight
  • Socks -  pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  • Synthetic climbing or hiking pants
  • Shorts, if weather permits - longer shorts are better
Outerwear
  • Lightweight waterproof/breathable jacket
  • Warm hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Down or synthetic puffy-type jacket
Personal Gear
  • Pack - 25-30 liter
  • Hiking/approach shoes
  • Chalk bag/chalk
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • Water - plenty for a long day in the sun
  • Lunch and snacks for the whole day
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Small personal first aid kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guide will have a substantial group first aid kit
Technical Gear
  • Climbing Harness
  • Helmet - climbing helmet UIAA approved
  • Rock shoes - comfortable for all day climbing
  • Climbing Hardware:
    • FOR INTRO TO ROCK/GYM TO CRAG/LEAD SPORT
      • 2 Locking carabiners - 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
      • Personal Anchor System - nylon or spectra
      • Belay device
    • FOR LEAD TRAD/SQUAMISH TRAD
      • 3 Locking Carabiners - 1 large style HMS and 2 regular lockers
      • 4 Non-locking carabiners - any type, we prefer wire gates
      • Personal Anchor System - consider a Connect Adjust Lanyard
      • Belay device
      • Cordelette - 7 mm diameter, 18-24 feet
      • 2 Sewn slings - 1 single, 1 double
      • Any trad gear you have - cams, nuts, hexes, etc.
Optional Items
  • Camera - we’d like some shots for the PGS website!
  • Adjustable Trekking Pole(s) - nice to have for approach
  • Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
  • Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter
  • Belay gloves
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold
Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

Be prepared for every adventure by visiting our sister business—Pro Ski and Mountain Service. Order online or visit us in store in North Bend, Washington. Check out our discounts on rentals and purchases when you book a trip or course with us.
10% Off purchases and 20% Off rentals for Pro Guiding Service guests
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FAQs

I've never climbed before, would this be a good place to start?

This is a great place to start! We will teach you the basics from knots to belaying and get a fair number of climbs under your belt during the 2-day course.

Should I tip my guide?

Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
Resources

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