Intro to Technical Alpine Climbing

In this 4-day program participants will learn skills for alpine climbing on rock, snow, and ice. This is the first step in a progression of skills necessary for tackling alpine peaks. You’ll learn both technical skills and how to interpret terrain and assess risk.

The transition from Peak Mountain Guides to Mountain Trip has happened! Please contact Mountain Trip’s Telluride, CO office at 970-369-1153 for more information.

Day 1:
Our first day will include an introduction to technical rock climbing. Participants will learn techniques for belaying, rappelling, and movement on technical rock. There will also be an introduction to anchor building with artificial climbing protection.

Day 2:
Terrain in multiple pitches. The curriculum will focus on the building blocks of moving through bigger terrain. You will learn belaying off the anchor (or your harness), technical transitions, and techniques for moving together as a rope team.

Day 3:
The first part of this day is used to approach our overnight camp for the final objective. In the afternoon we’ll cover snow travel, self arrest, and snow anchors.

Day 4:
A common option for the final objective would be to ascend the Snake Couloir which includes steep snow and ice climbing up to 55 degrees and a 100’ pitch of mid-5th class rock climbing. We should return to Ridgway by 4:00pm.

Ouray Colorado:
May 12-15, 2022
May 26-29, 2022
June 2-5, 2022

Rocky Mountain National Park:
June 9-12, 2022

• Rock climbing movement skills
• Crampon techniques
• Self arrest
• Anchors in both rock and snow
• Route planning

Group Size

This is an open enrollment course. The maximum group size is 3.

Time and Place

This course runs in a variety of different venues. Courses running in SW Colorado meet at 160 Liddell St in Ridgway. Rocky Mountain National Park courses meet in Boulder, CO.

Equipment List

All the technical climbing equipment required for this outing is included.
View equipment list as PDF

Our 4 day learn to lead and multi-pitch application course, is designed to advance an experienced climber into leading routes within their ability. The course allows participants to learn and practice essential skills and strategies to lead before transferring those skills into multi pitch terrain under the supervision of a guide.

Do you have more than a weekend to spend in one of North America’s best alpine rock climbing venues? The Best Four Days in Rocky is an itinerary intended for the climber who is interested in taking the time needed to check out the variety of venues in the Front Range of Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding climbing areas are an international destination.