ClassesProviding year-round climbing adventures in Joshua Tree National Park, Tahquitz and the High Sierra
Climbing Classes
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Gym to Crag
Transitioning from the gym to outside climbing can be challenging. Our certified guides will “show you the ropes” so you can climb outside safely and with confidence. Beef up your movement skills, belay skills, rappel skills, and learn essential knots.
To book a class, please contact erik@californiaclimbingschool.com (760) 625-7115
Duration
8 Hour Sessions
Dates
Fall 2022
October 1, 9, 15, 22, 29
November 12, 20, 25
December 3, 23, 30
Cost
$165 per student
Includes free rental of shoes, harness and helmet
Details
The perfect class for gym climbers who want to learn how to climb outside. Learn outdoor climbing techniques such as smearing, laybacking, stemming, and jamming.
Adapt your belaying to the different hazards outdoor belayers deal with. Hazards like rockfall, getting pulled across a gully and slammed into the wall by a heavier climber, and running out of rope when you lower the climber off a tall climb!
Get live coaching on your movement technique by a certified guide who understands the subtleties of outdoor climbing at Joshua Tree.
Learn how to rappel under the supervision of a certified guide. Learn how to coil a rope at the end of the day and how to flake it at the beginning.
Relax, knowing your guide will keep you safe, have fun, and help you progress to a self-sufficient outdoor climber!
Anchor Building Anchor 1 & 2
Duration
1-2 Days
Dates Anchor 1
Fall 2022
Oct 1, 8, 15, 29
Nov 6, 13, 19, 26
Dec 4, 10, 18, 21, 26
Dates Anchor 2
2022
Oct 2, 16, 30
Nov 27
Dec 11, 27
Cost
$165 per student
Includes free rental of shoes, harness, and helmet
*Anchors 1 or equivalent is a pre-requisite
for our lead climbing class.
Details
Learn how to build top rope anchors using “trad” gear such as cams, nuts, hexes and tri-cams. We will also teach you how to build “sport” anchors using two or three bolts, as well as natural anchors built from trees or boulders.
We will evaluate every piece in the anchor and how they could be even better. Learn an objective method to assess the overall strength and security of your anchors. Special attention will be given to assessing the rock quality so that you never build an anchor in weak rock.
We will cover the common mistakes that climbers make in anchor building and address how to avoid these errors. Common errors include poor rock quality, poorly fitting protection, lack of redundancy, and inadequate equalization.
We will use the “RENE” system to evaluate the reliability of our anchors: Redundant, Equalized, and No Extension. First, you will learn how to equalize two pieces, then three, four or five pieces. Materials used to equalize anchors include sewn slings, tied slings, cordelettes, and static rope.
Knots covered will include the BHK, 2 loop eight aka bunny ears, clove hitch, prussik hitch, auto block, figure 8 on a bight, and figure 8 bend.
Refine your pro placement skills by having an expert eye critique your placements. We will focus on cams and nuts.
Increase your safety while rappelling by using backups and extensions. Learn how to rappel safely off your extended toprope setup using an ATC and a Gri-gri.
Lead Climbing
Duration
8 Hour Sessions
Dates
2022
Oct 2, 8, 16, 22, 30
Nov 5, 19, 27
Dec 3, 11, 17, 22, 28
Cost
$165 per student
Max 3 students to 1 guide ratio
Details
We suggest taking this class twice due to the complexity of the subject matter. On the second day you will do more mock leading, practice different methods of belaying and lowering from the top, transitioning to a rappel, and hanging belays.
Learn lead belaying techniques, as well as how to belay from above using a variety of belay devices. Learn multi-pitch skills such as how to transition from climb to rappel and how to keep your rope organized.
You will lead climb while being belayed on toprope. Your guide will climb along side you on a different rope and provide detailed coaching as you climb. This will give you the realism of the lead rope as well as the safety of the toprope.
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Practice setting your anchors to withstand multiple directions of pull, and discuss when this is necessary. Learn how to give a great lead belay with a GriGri or a plate style device like an ATC. Learn how to belay from above with several different methods: direct, indirect, and re-directed. Practice belaying the follower with a GriGri, ATC guide, Reverso, or munter hitch. Discuss the pros and cons of the various techniques to belay the second.
Rappel with increased confidence by practicing extended rappels backed up with a friction hitch as a third hand. Practice leashing in with a variety of tools, such as a sling, a cordelette, or a PAS. Learn how to transition from climb to rappel and avoid common errors like rappelling off the ends of the rope.
Many lead climbing accidents happen because of a mistake made in the belay chain. We discuss the most common types of accidents and how they could be prevented. Rappel/lower off the end of the rope, failure to set up a proper belay/rappel, belayer distraction, etc.
We will discuss the importance of route finding and how to look for subtle clues to keep you on route.
Have you ever noticed your rope often behaves like a two-year old? Always causing trouble when you don’t pay enough attention to it? We will discuss and practice ways to get your rope to work for you instead of against you. Your rope can get especially cranky at transitions like belay changeovers and going from climb to rappel. We will look at ways to smooth out these transitions so you can get down off the climb before it gets dark!
Mulitpitch Climbing
Duration
8 Hour Sessions
Dates
2022
Oct 9, 23
Nov 6, 20
Dec 4, 18, 29
Cost
$225 per student
Max 3 students to 1 guide ratio
Details
Pre-requisite: Lead Climbing Class or equivalent.
Improve your multipitch efficiency with better rope management. Most teams waste time at the belay stations on the climb and on the descent.
Practice swapping leads vs block leading and when to use each technique. Learn how to climb as a team of 3 with two ropes. Learn how to manage a hanging belay station when there is no stance for your feet.
A focus on risk assessment will help you assess the hazards of high-off-the-deck climbing. Many teams overestimate their ability. Learn how to assess whether a climb is within your teams capability.
Multipitch rappelling presents unique challenges, and when 2 ropes are needed things can go wrong easily. Learn how to avoid rope snags so your rope always comes down when you retrieve it.
Introduction to rescue: fixed rope ascension. Learn how to tie friction hitches with cords or slings so you can ascend the rope.
Crack Climbing
Duration
8 Hour Sessions
Dates
2022
Oct 8
Nov 5, 26
Dec 17
Cost
$365 For 1 Student Private
$225 per student 2 Session
Details
In this crack climbing clinic you will learn: hand jams, fist jams, finger locks, ring locks, cupped hands, hand/fist stacks, foot jams, foot stacks, toe jams, heel-toe jams, arm bars, chicken wings, knee bars, and more! These techniques are so important because they allow you to climb using less energy, and therefore you will climb harder and get less pumped!
Practice crack climbing in a range of crack sizes from fingers to hands, to off-widths and chimneys. The focus will be on climbs in the 5.4 to 5.9 range, which sounds easy, but these climbs have stiff ratings. A minimum standard of climbing fitness for this clinic is required (5.10c in the gym or 5.10b outdoor sport climbing) due to the challenging nature of these climbs.
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We will show you how to make perfect tape gloves for better comfort while crack climbing. Compare the pros and cons of using tape gloves vs rubber gloves such as the Ocun or Outdoor Research Splitter.
Erik Kramer-Webb has been crack climbing since 1987, and it is his favorite style of climbing. Some of his most noteworthy crack climbs include Epinephrine, Whodunit, The Rostrum, The Good Book, Astroman, and Godzilla.
One problem people have when crack climbing is laybacking too much. Erik will show you how to jam your hands and feet for efficient movement. Laybacking is inefficient because it drains your arm strength quickly. Jamming is far easier. Above all, it will enable you to stand on your feet, resulting in less effort to climb the crack.
You will learn how to quickly recognize which technique is best suited for the situation. Discuss how to match a cam size to the size of the crack when leading trad climbs.
Aid Climbing
Duration
8 Hour Sessions
Dates
By appointment only
Cost
$395 For 1 Student Private
$250 per student 2 Session
Details
You will practice these techniques:
-
- Aid climbing
- Using mechanical rope ascenders,
- Cleaning the pitches and organizing the belay stations,
- Hauling the bag,
- Lowering out the haul bag,
- Rappelling with the haul bag.
Learn a variety of ways to clean traverses including lower outs, passing the top jumar, and aid-cleaning.
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Cleaning aid pitches requires rope savviness. Jugging is an unnatural body motion that requires practice in order to go fast and still not get tired. Your guide will show how you can adjust your jugging technique based on the steepness of the wall in order to maximize your efficiency.
You will practice 4 methods of cleaning traverses in the aid climbing class: passing the top jumar, lowering out with 4 strands, lowering out with 2 strands, and aid-cleaning. When cleaning an aid pitch, the more it traverses or overhangs, the more complex it becomes. We will not have time to cover all 4 techniques on the first day.
You will practice hauling the bag in the aid climbing class using at least 2 methods. First we will use a wall hauler or mini-traxion type device. The other method to learn in case you drop your primary hauling tool is using your ascenders and a simple pulley to haul the bag.
Releasing the haul bag can create problems. We will look at how to lower out the haul bag so it never goes SPLAT against a side wall in a pendulum swing, bursting all your water bottles! The haul bag gets stuck a lot, so we will show how the second can free the bag.
Rappelling with the haul bag is another skill you will practice in the aid climbing class. Don’t do it like I did it the first time and wear the bag like a backpack–it pulled me backwards slowly until I was upside down when I landed!
Erik Kramer-Webb has climbed El Capitan 5 times including one-day ascents of the Nose and Lurking Fear.
Rescue Climbing
Duration
1-2 Days
Dates
2022
Oct 16
Nov 6
Dec 11
Cost
$165 per student
Max 4 students to 1 guide ratio
Details
Session 1 Details
Learn the basics of self rescue including: escaping the belay, fixed line ascension, raising systems, lowering systems, tandem rappelling, and counter-balance rappelling. Belay devices used: ATC, gri-gri, and munter hitch. Knots covered: munter-mule-overhand, prussik, klemheist, auto-block, clove hitch, figure 8 on a bight.
Session 2 Details
Learn counterbalance rappelling, passing the knot, more complex pick-offs, improvised chest harness, rappelling with an injured climber, and alternative rope ascension methods. Discussion of more advanced topics such as leader pick-offs and rope soloing.
Adaptive Climbing
Duration
1-2 Days
Dates
November 11-13, 2022
Cost
$450 includes 2 days of guided climbing and 2 nights camping
Details
Description:
This is an adaptive climbing clinic, where we will honor your disability, then switch the focus to your individual abilities and how we can apply them to your climbing. Prior to the clinic you will be teamed up with a climbing coach (an experienced climber). Your coach will discuss your present climbing experience and your goals (where do you see yourself as a climber one year from now). They will also discuss what climbing techniques you know and do not know.
Para-climber Rand Abbott will share various techniques he has developed for roped climbing. Each participant will have a guide plus a coach to facilitate their climbs. We are planning for 8 participants, 4 guides, and 8 coaches. Group camping is available at Indian Cove Campground Friday and Saturday night. Meals are not provided. Camping not required. Feel free to book lodging in town if you prefer. If you need help setting up your campsite please let us know and we will provide a helper.
Schedule:
Friday 2:00 – 6:00pm – move into the group campsite and set up your camp.
6:00pm – orientation meeting at Indian Cove Campground
Saturday 8:00am – 4:00pm climbing, with a 2 hour break in the middle of the day
Sunday 8:00am – 4:00pm climbing, with a 2 hour break in the middle of the day
“My name is Rand Abbott, and I am an adaptive climber. In 2008 I suffered an injury to my spinal cord resulting in the loss of use of my legs. Prior to my injury I was a climber. After my injury I wanted to continue to climb and in 2013 I started climbing as an adaptive athlete and adaptive climber. After a year of adaptive climbing jugging lines I wanted to get back to lead climbing as an adaptive climber. In 2014 I came out to Joshua tree CA and did my first adaptive aid lead climb on a 5.10 trad climb in the park. To date I have first ascents on many 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, A2, A3, and a couple A4. Being a pioneer in adaptive climbing, and specifically adaptive aid lead climbing I enjoy working with other adaptive athletes/adaptive climbers helping them expand their climbing experience.”
Groups
Joshua Tree is the perfect place for group climbing. Climbs of varying difficulty level can often be found in the same area to allow for groups to climb together easily. We have provided our services in the past to scout groups, school groups, faith groups, military units, corporate teams, and therapy groups.
We have experience assisting disabled climbers. Please call us and we can make a plan for disabled climbers to challenge themselves in the way that best suits them.
Joshua Tree is an ideal location for group climbing due to the easy access to the climbs and climbing for all ability levels.
Pricing
Specific to group size and goals.
Kids & Teen Classes
Kids Classes are for Ages 5 – 10
Teens are for ages 11-17
Meets most Fridays 1:00-4:00pm.
NEW this Season – Select Wednesday Classes
See below for Covid-19 requirements.
2022 Schedule
Kids 5-12
Wednesday 1pm – 4pm
Kids 5-10
Fridays 1pm – 4pm
Teens 11-17
Fridays 1pm – 4pm
Oct 7, 14, 19, 21, 28
Nov 4, 11, 16, 18
Dec 2, 7, 9, 16
