Climb Higher

Advanced Rock Climbing & Multi-Pitch

Advanced Rock Climbing

Season:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Difficulty:

Duration:

Good For:

Individuals, Groups

Take your climbing to the next level with advanced instruction in lead climbing, anchor building, multi-pitch technique, and alpine rock climbing. This comprehensive course develops the skills needed to tackle bigger objectives—from long sport climbing routes to technical alpine faces in Summit County and throughout Colorado.

Rocky Mountain Guides' advanced climbing instruction is taught by AMGA-certified Rock and Alpine Guides with extensive experience on technical terrain. Since 1992, we've been guiding climbers from single-pitch crags to major alpine objectives, and this course bridges that gap. Whether you're aiming for Colorado 14er technical routes or multi-pitch classics in nearby climbing areas, this course provides the skills and confidence you need.

Trips Depart Daily from: Breckenridge, Keystone, Frisco, Dillon

Book Online

Have Questions?

Get in touch with us.

Guided Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing Rates*

ADVANCED ROCK CLIMBING PRICING* (per person):	FULL DAY
1 Person	$600
2 People	$360
3 People	$300
4-6 People	Please Call

*Pricing Transparency: This is the full price of the trip, unlike other outfitters, we don’t charge any additional fees!

Call for larger groups

Equipment Requirements

For the advanced course, you'll need personal climbing shoes and a harness. Rocky Mountain Guides provides ropes, protection, helmets, and all technical gear for instruction. If you plan to climb independently after the course, we'll recommend essential gear purchases.

Climbing Locations

We teach advanced courses at Summit County crags and nearby alpine areas offering quality multi-pitch routes. Specific locations depend on weather, student goals, and route availability. All areas chosen for their educational value and appropriate difficulty progression.

Private Instruction & Custom Courses

Many climbers prefer private instruction for advanced skills. We offer one-on-one and small group custom courses tailored to your specific objectives—whether that's preparing for a particular climb, learning specific techniques, or accelerating your progression.

Are you ready to Rock Climb?

Ready to become an independent, confident climber capable of tackling multi-pitch routes and alpine objectives? Our advanced rock climbing course provides comprehensive instruction from AMGA-certified guides. Available throughout Summit County's climbing season (May-September).

Book Online Now!

Book Online

Equipment

Helmet, harness, ropes, and other belaying equipment will be provided by RMG
Sturdy shoes for the approach (closed toe shoes, please no flip flops or sandals)
Climbing shoes (to rent climbing shoes please select during checkout)
Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunblock
Clothing: athletic shirt, athletic shorts or pants, wind/rain jacket
Plenty of water
Snacks and/or lunch

Book Online

Samantha Morris

October 25, 2024

I cannot recommend Rocky Mountain Guides enough! Peter is an excellent guide and teacher, skiing with him was challenging and very rewarding. Whether you’re looking for back country skiing or climbing, I highly recommend giving them a call!

Frequently Asked Questions

What prerequisites are required for the advanced course?

You should have completed our basic rock climbing course or equivalent (comfortable belaying, top-rope climbing, tying essential knots). You must be able to confidently climb 5.8+ outdoor routes and have good fitness for full days of climbing. Previous lead climbing experience helps but isn't required—we teach leading from scratch. The advanced course is intensive and fast-paced, building on solid fundamentals rather than teaching basics.

Will I learn to lead climb in the advanced course?

Yes! Lead climbing instruction is a major component of advanced courses. We teach both sport leading (clipping bolts) and basic traditional leading (placing removable protection). You'll progress from lead climbing easy routes close to the ground to leading on taller cliffs. We emphasize proper clipping technique, fall management, and mental strategies for leading confidently. By course end, most students have led multiple pitches on outdoor rock.

How many pitches will we climb during the course?

Advanced courses typically run 3-4 days with progression from single-pitch to multi-pitch climbing. You'll climb 15-25 total pitches over the course, depending on route length and difficulty. Early days focus on technique development on shorter routes; later days involve longer multi-pitch climbs where you'll apply everything learned. Quality instruction matters more than quantity—we emphasize solid skill development over maximizing pitches climbed.

What climbing grade should I be comfortable with?

You should confidently climb 5.8-5.9 routes outdoors on top-rope. While learning to lead, you'll climb routes below your top-rope ability (typically 5.6-5.8 to start). Multi-pitch routes on the course are usually 5.6-5.9 depending on your progression. We're teaching systems and decision-making as much as climbing harder grades. Strong technique at moderate grades is more valuable than struggling on harder routes.

Is the advanced course preparation for alpine climbing?

Yes, advanced courses bridge the gap between rock climbing and alpine mountaineering. We teach skills essential for alpine routes: efficient multi-pitch systems, moving together on easier terrain, route finding, and decision-making in complex mountain environments. Many students take the advanced course specifically to prepare for technical Colorado 14ers or alpine objectives. However, winter alpine climbing requires additional skills (snow climbing, avalanche awareness) taught in mountaineering-specific courses.