Outdoor Approach Series

Outdoor Approach is designed for the experienced climber who wants to expand their knowledge of climbing to the outdoors. In this course you will learn and practice various systems and techniques involved in anchor building, cleaning anchors, rappelling, and multi-pitch climbing. This course does not cover traditional (trad) anchors, placements, or climbing techniques. 

Week 1) Ground School (3 hr)

• The foundation of outdoor climbing starts with building simple anchors for top-rope climbing. Participants will learn and practice several different anchoring systems from cordelette to sliding-x in this hands-on class. This clinic covers equalization, redundancy, how to avoid shock loading, extensions, and helpful knots.

Week 2) Sport Climbing Anchors & Rappelling (3 hr)

• Apply what you learned on the ground to ascend our rappel tower. Participants will lead climb to the top of our tower then set an anchor for top roping. Participants will then learn how to extend and back up their rappel from the anchor, clean the gear used along the climb, and return safely to the ground.

Week 3) Multi-Pitch Climbing (3 hr)

• Learn to climb higher with this class on multi-pitch climbing systems and techniques. Participants will learn applicable techniques, such as hanging belays, top-managed belays, rope management, personal anchoring, and belaying from above.