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Rock Climbing

Once mere skill-practice for mountaineers, rock climbing is now a highly developed sport, with numerous sub-disciplines such as trad, sport, and aid.
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Rock Climbing Programs

AAI offers a wide variety of rock climbing courses and guided climbs for individuals and groups, from beginner to expert. Offerings include introductory courses; lead-climbing instruction; big-wall and aid climbing; self-rescue; and Warriors’ Way clinics. Locations include Washington state, British Columbia, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Utah.

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Dark Shadows
Las Vegas, Nevada Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
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Guided Rock Climbing in Red Rock – Las Vegas, Nevada

As the fall temperatures and wet weather start to overtake the more temperate climbing areas in the U.S., rock climbers begin their annual migration to the Desert Southwest in search … Read more

September - April
Half-day and up
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Alpinism 2 – Intermediate Mountaineering

Designed as the natural progression from AAI’s Alpinism 1 – Intro to Mountaineering, this program is ideal for those with a few days of rock climbing under their belt and … Read more

May - September
6 days
A climber is all smiles as he reaches the top of his climb in Bishop, CA on an American Alpine Institute rock climbing program
Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and California Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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Outdoor Rock Climbing – Intensive Introduction

If you’re new to rock climbing or have only climbed indoors, stepping outside opens up a whole new world of adventure. Outdoor climbing introduces unique physical and mental challenges that … Read more

Year-round
4 days
Washington, Nevada, Utah, and California, British Columbia Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
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Learn to Lead – Trad Rock Climbing Leadership

Our Learn to Lead – Introduction to Traditional Rock Leadership Course gives you the skills and confidence to lead your own single-pitch trad climbs. You’ll practice gear placement, anchor building, … Read more

Year Round
4 days
A guide leads a group up a ridge during an American Alpine Institute Alaska Range mountaineering program
Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Group Summit Climbs
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
2
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4
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Women’s Climbing & Mountaineering Programs

AAI is proud to offer a variety of women’s climbing and mountaineering programs, including women’s rock climbing clinics, mountaineering courses, and guided summit climbs. All-women courses offer a powerful opportunity for … Read more

Year-round
Varies
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 2

Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part 2 (AMTL 2) is the next step in AAI’s renowned four-part Alpine Mountaineering & Technical Leadership progression. For decades, this program has set the … Read more

May - September
12 days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Guided Alpine Rock Climbing in the North Cascades

Climbing with a guide is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the exciting wilderness ascents of the North Cascades. Part of the attraction of the climbs is the … Read more

May - September
1 day and up
Lead climbing practice in Squamish
Squamish, BC Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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5

Squamish Rock Leadership

Squamish is where climbers take the next step. Here, sweeping granite walls rise from deep forests and the waters of Howe Sound—clean cracks, splitter corners, and sculpted faces that have … Read more

June - September
8 days
Squamish and Bugboos Provencial Park, BC Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
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4
5

Bugaboos Trad Leadership & Multi-Pitch Efficiency

Tucked deep in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, the Bugaboos offer a world-class classroom for climbers ready to step confidently into the realm of alpine rock leadership. Soaring granite … Read more

July - August
10 days
Joshua Tree National Park, CA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
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5
Physical
1
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5

Guided Rock Climbing at Joshua Tree, CA

Joshua Tree National Park is a classic winter retreat for rock climbers of all levels. The colors, the plant-life, the animals and the rock in this unique 4,000-foot plateau at … Read more

October - May
1+ days
Eastern Sierra, California Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Guided Alpine Climbing in the Sierra

Whether you want technical skills practice, a 14,000 foot summit, or a classic alpine route, the Eastern Sierra offers it all. By booking private guided climbing, our guides meet you … Read more

Year-round
1+ Days
Climber on Rincon Wall
Boulder, Colorado Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Boulder Rock Climbing

Boulder, Colorado is one of the most iconic and historic venues in American rock climbing. Just 40 miles from the Denver International Airport, Boulder boasts of some of the most … Read more

March - November
1+ days
A young climber on the American Alpine Institute Leaders of Tomorrow program climbs at Mt. Erie
WA Special Offer
Type
Youth Climbing Programs
Technical
1
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Physical
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Leaders of Tomorrow – Rock Climbing Camp

Climbing, camping, and adventure with other teens are at the heart of the American Alpine Institute’s Leaders of Tomorrow Rock Climbing Camp. Designed for 15- to 17-year-olds, this program blends … Read more

July
6 Days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Youth Climbing Programs
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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Leaders of Tomorrow – Summit Camp

The American Alpine Institute’s Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program is the only comprehensive youth climbing and mountaineering program of its kind in North America. Designed for motivated teens and young … Read more

July
6 or 13-Days
Top Managed Site at Mt. Erie
Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor Course and Exam

Single Pitch Instructor Certification The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course is the first in the AMGA sequence of climbing instructor and guide training programs. The SPI … Read more

Year-round
Course: 3 days. Exam: 2 days. Refresher: 1 day.
Aid & Big Wall Leavenworth 3
WA, NV Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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5

Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques

Introduction to Aid Climbing 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.” … Read more

Year-Round
4 days
Alpine Rock in the Sierra
Sierra Nevada, CA; Squamish, BC Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Alpine Rock Climbing

The most beautiful rock on the planet is that which is found on the high spires and jagged peaks of the great ranges of the world. The aesthetics of alpine … Read more

May - September
6 or 12 days
Red Rock Multi-Pitch Climb
Nevada, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Multi-Pitch Skills Course

Do you dream of climbing technical peaks and big routes? The skills required to multi-pitch climb are an essential step toward the ascent of long complicated lines like Epinephrine in … Read more

Year Round
4 days
Climber on Ice Cream Parlor Crag in Moab. Zach Lovell.
Moab and Indian Creek Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
2
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4
5

Guided Rock Climbing in Moab & Indian Creek

Nestled between Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Deadhorse Point State Park, high on the Colorado Plateau, the tiny hamlet of Moab is considered by many to be the … Read more

September - April
1+ days
Smiles Leavenworth Multi-Pitch
Leavenworth, WA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
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5

Guided Rock Climbing at Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth is a diverse area. At least eight different crags lie within a ten mile radius of the picturesque “Bavarian” town after which the area is named. With the exception … Read more

April - October
1 day and up
Alpine Climbing in the Alaska Rnage
Alaska Range Special Offer
Type
Expeditions, Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Guided Alpine Climbing in the Alaska Range

The Central Alaska Range is made up of the peaks and valleys that surround Denali, Mount Hunter, and Mount Foraker. In the deep glacial gorges that drop from Denali’s flanks … Read more

May - July
7-22 Days (Recommended minimum of 10 days due to potential weather.)
Traversing Entreves
Chamonix, France Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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5

Guided Alpine Climbing in the French Alps/Chamonix

The French Alps in the area near Chamonix encompass the highest concentration of quality alpine routes in the world. There are classics here at every technical level, and at each … Read more

April - September
Varies based on Objective
Luke Holcomb on German Helmet
Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Government, Military, & Veterans
Technical
1
2
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5
Physical
1
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Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional

The American Alpine Institute offers various vocational programs designed to address educational and certification needs for outdoor professionals. These professionals include climbers, mountaineers, ski patrollers, mountain rescue technicians, outdoor educators, … Read more

Year-round
Varies
Climbers on route on the Chief in Squamish, BC during an American Alpine Institute rock climbing program
Squamish, British Columbia Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Guided Rock Climbing at Squamish, BC

Settled up against British Columbia’s Howe Sound, the tiny city of Squamish is home to fifteen thousand residents, most of who are climbers, skiers, windsufers, scuba divers or mountain bikers. … Read more

April - October
1 day and up