Small group sizes | All technical gear included | Scheduled for back-to-back progression | Joshua Tree National Park

A woman with colorful tattoos, wearing a black top, green climbing pants, an orange helmet, and climbing shoes, is rock climbing on a textured rock face with a safety harness and rope, with a few other climbers visible below in the background.
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Climbing Courses in Joshua Tree

Open Enrollment Group Training for Progressive Skill Development

Build real outdoor climbing skills with expert-led courses designed to take you from beginner to confident, independent climber.

Scheduled Climbing Courses in Joshua Tree

Season: November 15, 2025 – May 3, 2026

Build real outdoor climbing skills through structured, small-group courses led by AMGA-certified instructors in Joshua Tree National Park. These hands-on trainings are designed for climbers who want to progress safely, confidently, and with intention.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining advanced techniques, our instructors provide clear guidance in a supportive, focused learning environment.

Small group sizes mean more personalized coaching and faster progress. Many climbers choose to enroll in multiple courses to build toward independent outdoor climbing.

Course Details:

  • Small groups: Max 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio

  • Full-day instruction: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • All technical gear included

  • Led by AMGA-certified guides

Course Pricing

1-Day Courses — $225 per person
Intro to Rock Climbing · Intermediate Rock Climbing

2-Day Courses — $450 per person
Climbing Anchors · Learn to Lead · Self-Rescue · Advanced Multi-Pitch

***Minimum of 2 participants required to run each course. If only one person signs up, we'll offer an option to reschedule or switch to a half-day private session at the same price.

A woman in a blue jacket, blue pants, and climbing shoes is smiling while climbing a rock face. She is wearing a gray helmet with green accents and has climbing gear attached to her waist. The background shows a dry, rocky desert landscape with sparse vegetation.

Intro to Climbing – 1 Day

Dates: November 15, 2025, March 14, 2026
Price: $225 per person

Perfect for: Complete beginners, never climbed before, need a refresher

Course Description: New to climbing or need a refresher? This introduction emphasizes safety and fun while covering the essentials: equipment, knots, anchoring, belaying, communication signals, rating systems, climbing techniques, and rappelling. Classes are taught on low-angle, moderate rock perfect for beginners and anyone pursuing mountaineering.

What You'll Learn:

  • Basic climbing equipment and its uses

  • Essential knots (figure-8, clove hitch, double fisherman's)

  • Anchor systems and belay techniques

  • Climbing communication signals

  • Rating system understanding

  • Basic climbing movement techniques

  • Rappelling fundamentals

A man wearing a cap, sunglasses, and climbing gear climbs a rock face in a desert landscape with rocks and sparse vegetation.

Intermediate Climbing – 1 Day

Dates: November 16, 2025, March 15, 2026
Price: $225 per person

Perfect for: Climbers with basic skills, gym climbers going outdoors, those who've taken Basic course

Course Description: Progress through increasingly challenging climbs introducing advanced techniques—edging and smearing in face climbing, jamming and laybacking in cracks. Protected by toprope, each student receives personalized coaching and climbs to the limit of their ability. Includes an introduction to anchoring with trad gear.

Prerequisites: Basic climbing knowledge (Basic Rock Climbing course or equivalent experience)

What You'll Learn:

  • Advanced face climbing techniques (edging, smearing)

  • Crack climbing fundamentals (jamming, laybacking)

  • Efficient movement and energy conservation

  • Route reading on natural rock

  • Introduction to traditional gear placements

  • Building on fundamental anchor skills

  • Personalized technique coaching

Two climbers, one young with a bright green helmet and glasses, and an older man with a black helmet and sunglasses, securing a climbing rope on a rocky mountain in a desert landscape.

Climbing Anchors – 2 Days

Dates: December 13–14, 2025, April 11–12, 2026
Price: $450 per person

Perfect for: Climbers ready to build their own anchors, those wanting to climb independently

Course Description: Learn to safely build and evaluate anchors with bolts and trad gear. Master equipment specs, placement criteria for nuts and cams, the SERENE principle, equalization methods, and toprope rigging. This hands-on course gives you the skills to quickly assess placements and build bombproof anchors on single and multi-pitch climbs.

What You'll Learn:

  • Equipment characteristics and specifications

  • Detailed placement criteria for nuts and camming devices

  • Anchor evaluation using SERENE principle (Strong, Efficient, Redundant, Equalized, No-Extension)

  • Equalization methods using slings and cordelettes

  • Single-pitch and multi-pitch anchor systems

  • Static rope rigging for toprope extensions

  • Placement assessment based on sound principles

A woman climbing a rock wall, smiling, wearing a helmet and climbing gear, with other climbers and rocks in the background.

Learn to Lead – 2 Days

Dates: January 10–11, 2026, May 2–3, 2026
Price: $450 per person

What You'll Learn:

  • Leading fundamentals and technique confidence

  • Placing protection while climbing

  • Proper carabiner clip-ins and alignment

  • Using slings to reduce rope drag

  • Lead belaying techniques and strategies

  • Rope management on lead

  • Route-finding and decision-making

  • Simulated lead climbing with backup

Perfect for: Climbers ready to lead their own routes, those with anchor-building experience

Course Description: Master leading fundamentals: building technique confidence, placing reliable protection, and constructing sound anchors. Practice gear placement and removal, then execute simulated lead climbs under close supervision with toprope backup. Covers protection placement on lead, reducing rope drag, proper carabiner alignment, belaying strategies, rope management, and route-finding.

A man and woman rock climbing on a rugged outdoor cliff face, both wearing helmets and harnesses.

Self-Rescue – 2 Days

Dates: February 21–22, 2026
Price: $450 per person

Perfect for: Independent climbers, those climbing in remote areas, advanced skill development

Course Description: Learn essential self-rescue skills for you and your partner. Master friction hitches, improvised rope ascension, auto-block rappel backups, rescuing a fallen climber using auto-locking devices, lowering systems with munter hitches and redirects, tandem rappel systems, and basic 3:1 "Z" raising systems.

What You'll Learn:

  • Friction hitches for slings and cord

  • Improvised rope ascension techniques

  • Backing up rappels with auto-block knots

  • Rescuing a fallen climber with auto-locking devices

  • Lowering systems with redirected devices

  • Munter hitch lowering backed up with auto-block

  • Tandem rappel system

  • Basic 3:1 "Z" raising system

Advanced Courses Available

Experienced climbers: Take your skills to the next level with our advanced multi-pitch and big wall courses taught by AMGA-certified Rock Guide Jarad Stiles.

View Advanced Courses

What's Included in Every Course

  • Expert Instruction

    Expert Instruction

    AMGA-certified instructors with decades of combined experience. We don't just guide—we teach.

  • Icon of a person climbing a mountain or steep incline

    All Technical Gear

    Climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets, ropes, and all protection equipment provided and fitted.

  • A person standing on a mountain peak with arms raised, next to a mountain with a flag on top.

    Small Group Ratios

     Maximum 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio ensures personalized attention and hands-on practice.

A person climbing a rock wall outdoors with a safety harness, while another person belays from below, both wearing helmets.

What to Bring

What We Provide:

  • All technical climbing gear

What You Should Bring:

  • Water (1-2 liters recommended)

  • Snacks and lunch

  • Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)

  • Layered clothing for desert conditions

  • Comfortable hiking shoes

  • Backpack for personal items

  • Camera (optional)

2025-2026 Course Schedule

    • Nov 15: Basic Rock Climbing

    • Nov 16: Intermediate Rock Climbing

    • Dec 13-14: Climbing Anchors

    • Jan 10-11: Learn to Lead

    • Feb 21-22: Climbing Self-Rescue

    • Mar 14: Basic Rock Climbing

    • Mar 15: Intermediate Rock Climbing

    • Apr 11-12: Climbing Anchors

    • May 2-3: Learn to Lead

  • It depends on the course. Basic Rock Climbing requires zero experience—we start from scratch. Intermediate requires basic skills. Advanced courses require demonstrated competency in previous skills. See individual course prerequisites.

  • No problem! While we designed the schedule for sequential progression, you can space courses out over multiple seasons. Your skills will be there when you're ready for the next level.

  • Absolutely! Intermediate Rock Climbing is perfect for gym climbers transitioning outdoors. Many of our students come from gym backgrounds.

  • Maximum 5:1 for all courses. Often lower. Small groups ensure you get hands-on practice and personalized coaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  Joshua Tree has over 300 sunny days per year, but if conditions are unsafe, we'll reschedule your course at no additional charge.

  • Moderate fitness required. You'll be hiking to crags (15-30 minutes), climbing multiple routes, and on your feet most of the day. Breaks are built in.

  • Yes! Contact us for private course instruction tailored to your schedule and specific goals.

  • We welcome climbers of all ages; however, parental supervision is required for minors. Please inquire about specific age-related policies when booking.

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Ready to Build Real Skills

Join climbers who've progressed from nervous beginners to confident leaders through our systematic curriculum. Small groups, expert instruction, and hands-on practice in Joshua Tree National Park.

Questions about which course is right for you?
Call us at (760) 705-8994 or email connect@verticaladventures.com]