Expert instruction | All gear included | Flexible scheduling | Joshua Tree, Idyllwild CA, & Lake Tahoe
Elevate Your Climbing Skills with Expert Instruction
Multi-Pitch Climbing & Big Wall Skills
Elevate your climbing with specialized instruction in multi-pitch efficiency, big wall systems, and advanced technical skills. Led by AMGA-certified Rock Guide Jarad Stiles, these courses transform competent climbers into confident leaders on California's most demanding routes.
Advanced Courses
Multi-Pitch Climbing & Big Wall Skills
Course Details:
Flexible Scheduling – Book on dates that work for you
Small Group Instruction – Maximum 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio for personalized coaching
Expert Instruction – Taught by AMGA-certified Rock Guides
Locations – Joshua Tree, Idyllwild and Lake Tahoe
All Technical Gear Included
Ready to tackle more demanding routes? Our advanced courses are designed for experienced climbers seeking to master multi-pitch systems, big wall techniques, and advanced rope management. Led by AMGA-certified Rock Guides, these specialized training sessions can be booked on dates that work for your schedule in Joshua Tree, Idyllwild and Lake Tahoe
Whether you're preparing for your first big wall, refining multi-pitch efficiency, or building advanced technical skills, we provide expert instruction that transforms competent climbers into confident leaders on committing terrain.
2 Days - 8 Hours a Day
MULTI-PITCH EFFICIENCY
Our advanced multi-pitch efficiency climbing course covers essential skills for experienced climbers. Key topics include goal setting, route selection, gear organization, belay station management, advanced anchor rigging, and efficient rope management. You'll learn belaying techniques, rappel methods, and self-rescue protocols.
This comprehensive training ensures climbers are well-prepared for challenging multi-pitch routes, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and successful climbs. Ideal for those seeking to enhance their technical climbing skills and knowledge in traditional and alpine climbing environments.
Course Topics
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Goal setting, route selection, preparing for weather contingencies, setting yourself up for success, interpreting route topos, communication devices (e.g., cell, radios, inReach), approach and descent considerations, and the importance of making a solid plan and backup plans.
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Gear organization, racking methods, gear selection, choosing the right sized pack, single rope vs. half and twin ropes, tag line for rappelling, climbing shoe, and approach shoe recommendations.
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Belay station strategies and management, choosing the right belay device, anchoring with a Clove Hitch versus a PAS, using a direct belay versus a redirected belay, belaying the leader with a direct belay, standardized multi-pitch communication signals (belay commands) and non-verbal communication strategies for long pitches in windy conditions.
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Advanced anchor building, equalizing without a cordelette, girth hitch master point, alpine anchors, terrain belays, rappel anchors, and inspection precautions.
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Rope management, double ropes at belays, short pitching vs. short roping and simul-climbing.
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Extended rappel technique with third hand backup and multi-pitch rappelling efficiency.
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Topics include raising and lowering systems from a direct belay, rescuing a fallen leader with a “pickoff” and counterbalance rappel, rope ascension (prusiking), tandem rappelling with an injured climber, and evac protocols.
2 Days - 8 Hours a Day
$450 / person
BIG WALL SKILLS
Our big wall climbing course prepares experienced multi-pitch climbers for the unique demands of wall climbing. Key topics include aid climbing and rope ascension fundamentals, hauling techniques and rope management. You'll learn about big wall logistics, leader and follower responsibilities, and multi-day climb planning.
This comprehensive training ensures climbers are well-prepared for committing big wall routes, emphasizing efficiency, self-sufficiency, and safe ascents. Ideal for those seeking to transition from free climbing to aid climbing and tackle legendary big walls in Yosemite and beyond.
Course Topics
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Multi-day wall planning, haul bag packing and organization, food and water calculations, weather windows, route research and topo interpretation, team roles and responsibilities, wall timelines and descent planning, gear lists for single-day versus multi-day walls.
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Basic 1:1 counterbalance hauling, 2:1 mechanical advantage using progress capture devices (Pro Traxion, Micro Traxion), dealing with stuck haul bags, efficient transitions from leading to hauling, rope organization at hanging belays.
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Understanding Aid climbing progression and ratings (A0-A5), proper aider/daisy use and technique, advanced aid placements like hook moves, cam hooking, beaks, copperheads and rivets.
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Portaledge setup and takedown at hanging belays, organizing gear on the wall, sleeping system setup, cooking on a portaledge, managing waste (poop tube protocol), hydration strategies, dealing with wind and weather on a wall.
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Leading in blocks versus swinging leads, fixed line precautions, managing multiple ropes (lead, haul, tag), keeping ropes organized at hanging stations, rappelling with haul bags.
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Building bomber multi-directional big wall anchors, organizing complex anchor systems.
Course Instructor
Jarad Stiles
This course will be taught by AMGA-certified Rock Guide Jarad Stiles. To achieve his Rock Guide certification (the highest level of certification in the AMGA's rock program), Jarad completed a total of 26 rigorous days of training and exams in all the various state-of-the-art techniques of modern multi-pitch climbing.
With years of experience on big walls throughout California, Jarad has climbed many notable routes and specializes in making wall climbing accessible to aspiring wall climbers. This course can be customized according to your previous experience and immediate goals.
Not ready for advanced courses yet?
Check out our beginner and intermediate courses:
Basic Rock Climbing, Intermediate Rock Climbing, Climbing Anchors, and Learn to Lead Climbing.
Book Your Advanced Course Today!
Join 1,000+ climbers who've reached new heights with Vertical Adventures since 1983.
Have questions about if an advanced course is right for you?
Call us at (760) 705-8994 or email connect@verticaladventures.com]