Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques

Overview

Introduction to Aid Climbing

Climber using aid techniques on big wall route. Brendan Cusick

There is a point in every climber's life when he or she looks at a massive vertical rock face and says, "I want to climb that." Often times the problem is that the rock is too steep and the holds are too small to allow a free ascent. Aid climbing is a specific technique that provides climbers with the ability to get up routes that are too hard to free climb.

Most people become aware of aid climbing through the lens of big wall climbing. Big walls are routes that usually take more than a day to ascend. They often require climbers to bivy on a portable platform, and many of these lines require them to use direct aid in order to climb through difficult parts of the wall.

Moving on from long multi-pitch routes to big walls is a natural progression for rock climbers. But well-rounded alpinists need these aid climbing skills to add to their abilities in ice climbing, mountaineering, and rock climbing. There are many mountains throughout the world that have routes that primarily require moderate free climbing skills but which also have short difficult sections. A basic understanding of aid opens up thousands of new routes to the well-rounded alpinist.

Course Overview

The American Alpine Institute's four-day aid climbing and big wall technique seminar is designed for competent leaders who want to expand the number of routes that they can climb and raise their climbing ability by exploring new techniques and concepts. This course will broaden your free climbing skills as you learn aid because we will introduce you to new free climbing skills as well as aid climbing methodologies.

Because aid climbing is so technical in nature, the Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques course is only offered at a two-to-one climber-to-guide ratio. The course must have a minimum of two students registered to run at the published price.

Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques

Curriculum

Advanced Aid and Free Climbing Skills:

An aid climber carefully places his next piece while climbing at Index. Alasdair Turner

Selection & use of personal equipment for an aid climb including specific ropes, harnesses, & equipment
Design concepts, selection & use of technical equipment for mixed aid & free climbing
Advanced rigging for multi-pitch climbing
Use of big wall gear & equipment including etriers, daisy chains, mechanical ascenders, haul bags, portaledges, leeper cams, hooks & an assortment of other gear
Use of fixed lines
Strategy for multi-pitch aid or mixed climbs
Strategies for multi-pitch descents
Techniques for hauling, big wall bivies, & for pendulums
Clean aid climbing techniques
Complex hauling systems
Management of hanging belays
Strategies for multi-day routes

Self-Rescue Skills & Objective Hazards Evaluation

Techniques for raising and lowering an injured climber
Evaluation & prediction of mountain weather patterns
Introduction to the assessment of natural hazards

Leadership Skills

Technical & personal functions of individuals on an ascent: roles & responsibility
Problem solving: gathering appropriate data & assessment techniques
Evolving leadership roles: individual leadership vs. collective decision making

Environmental Protection Skills

An introduction to vertical ecology
Leave No Trace travel, camping, & climbing skills

Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques

Dates and Locations

2024

Nevada: Red Rock Canyon

Dates may be available on a private basis. Call for details.

2025

Washington

June 15 - 18, 2025
July 27 - 30, 2025
Aug 17 - 20, 2025
Sept 07 - 10, 2025

* We also may be able to offer this course on a private basis in Moab, UT and Eldorado Canyon, CO. Please contact our office for further details.

A note on enrollment:

There is a minimum of two participants for this course to run at the public rate. With one participant we will consider this a 'private course' and charge private rates. You may also contact us about scheduling privately guided days outside of the public dates listed above.