Joshua Tree Basic Rock Climbing Course
Desert sun, solid granite, and a learning to lead option
For beginner climbers with little or no experience, or gym climbers looking to get outside, this intro course sets you up for success. Set in the beautiful lunar landscape of Joshua Tree National Park, our climbing school offers easy access to every variety of rock climbing imaginable. You’ll begin with friction climbing to develop your balance, and then incorporate both face and crack climbing techniques before progressing to more challenging climbs. With our highly qualified guides you will learn standard climbing protocols under the guidance of experienced and supportive instructors.
Equipment, belays, anchors, knots, rappelling and lowering are all thoroughly covered. An additional objective of this class is for students to be able to evaluate and set up their own top ropes. Our guides lead the way as they teach you how to set-up top ropes, rappel, and lots of climbing!
Add a third day and learn lead climbing fundamentals to take you one step closer to climbing one your own, without a guide.
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Course Perks
There are really good hotel lodging and restaurant options in the town of Joshua Tree where you can enjoy a shower, a soft bed, and some good dining after a full day of climbing. Or if you want to take in some of the mystique of the park, nothing beats camping under the stars and sitting around a campfire reveling in the days accomplishments.
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Description
This is a beginner course and no experience is required. It is recommended you have some hiking experience prior to this trip.
This course involves the following:
- Rock climbing from 5.4 — 5.10+
- Climbers should be in good physical condition and able to operate in a instructional setting for a full day.
Course curriculum (including extension):
- Selection and use of ropes, knots and harnesses
- Anchor construction, equalization, and evaluation of top-rope, lead climbing and rappel anchors
- Development of face, slab and crack climbing techniques
- Belaying a lead climber, lowering, and rappelling techniques
- Route selection, rope management and route finding
- Multi pitch climbing techniques
- Hazard assessment including a discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards
Transportation to Joshua Tree, as well as food and camping/lodging are your responsibility. If you choose to camp, you will be “car camping” on this course; and need to provide a tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, and food for your own meals. We recommend arriving the day before to secure a camp spot if you are climbing on a busy weekend.
- Rock climbing from 5.4 — 5.10+
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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1‑Day Course
from $190 – 1-3 Days
- 1:1 - $485 per person
- 2:1 - $290 per person
- 3-6:1 - $190 per person
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2‑Day Course
from $380 – 2 Days
- 1:1 - $970 per person
- 2:1 - $580 per person
- 3-6:1 - $380 per person
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3‑Day Course Includes Learn to Lead
from $510 – 3 Days
- 1:1 - $1,455 per person
- 2:1 - $870 per person
- 3-6:1 - $570 per person
Dates
Course Arranged on a Custom Basis — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include anytype of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Basic Rock Climbing
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Day 1
The day begins with an equipment review and a lesson on the essential knots typically used in climbing. You will then learn proper belay and lowering techniques, as well as communication signals. Once the basics are covered, you begin climbing – getting to practice a variety of basic climbing movement and get a feel for good footwork. After a break, the group will move onto steeper terrain. Top rope set-up, rappelling, rope management, and lots of climbing will round out the day’s activities. In the evening, Mountain Madness guides will often head into town for a relaxing meal or prepare their meals at the campground. You are welcome to join them to discuss the day’s lesson or to learn more about Mountain Madness.
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Day 2
The second day will include more climbing and a review of the previous day’s lessons. As the group moves on to steeper and more challenging terrain, you will learn anchor evaluation as well as different types of face and crack climbing technique. It is common for groups to do a bit of guided multi-pitch climbing if folks are interested. We generally wrap up the course by about 5:00 pm.
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Day 3 (Learn to Lead)
Today students will get opportunities to practice lead climbing under the protection of a top-rope. Students will have a chance to have their gear placements evaluated and anchors critiqued. In the afternoon, we will continue to apply the skills we have learned throughout the course in the multi-pitch climbing arena. As a beginning lead climber, you will also follow your instructor up increasingly difficult and complex leads to gain an understanding of lead climbing techniques and strategies. We usually wrap up the course by about 5:00 pm.
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or other reasons beyond our control and in the guide’s best judgement.
Equipment for Joshua Tree Basic Rock Climbing Course
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Carrying Gear
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Backpack (25-35L)
day pack size (25-35L)
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Climbing Gear
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Rock climbing harness
comfortable and padded
Examples:
Petzl Adjama, Black Diamond Momentum
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Climbing helmet
Lightweight
Examples:
Black Diamond Half Dome, Petzl Elios
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Locking carabiners (2)
Two large, pear-shaped carabiners are best
Examples:
Black Diamond Rock Lock, Petzl William, Petzl Attache
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Non-locking carabiners (2)
2 non-locking carabiners. wired straight-gates are recommended
Examples:
Black Diamond HotWire
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Belay device (plaquette)
Tube style
Examples:
Black Diamond ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso
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Double length nylon runner (48" or 120cm)
be sure to get nylon not dyneema (18mm width)
Examples:
Black Diamond Nylon Slings
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30’ of perlon accessory cord (7mm)
30 feet of 6mm cord
Examples:
Sterling
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Chalk bag (optional)
optional but nice for rock climbs when the temps are warm
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Head and Face
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Feet
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Light hiking boots or trail shoes
For acclimatization hikes
Examples:
Salomon X-Ultra 3 Mid, Merrell Moab, La Sportiva Boulder Ex
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Rock Shoes
comfortable enough for all-day use
Examples:
La Sportiva Mythos, Scarpa Helix
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Light weight synthetic jacket
light weight synthetic puffy or fleece
Examples:
Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
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Rain jacket
basic rain jacket with a hood in case of any inclement weather
Examples:
Marmot pricip, or Gore-Tex type jacket
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Nylon shorts (optional)
Quick-drying type for July-Sept trips
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Course
1‑Day Course
from $190
1-3 Days
- 1:1 - $485 per person
- 2:1 - $290 per person
- 3-6:1 - $190 per person
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Book Course
2‑Day Course
from $380
2 Days
- 1:1 - $970 per person
- 2:1 - $580 per person
- 3-6:1 - $380 per person
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Book Course
3‑Day Course Includes Learn to Lead
from $510
3 Days
- 1:1 - $1,455 per person
- 2:1 - $870 per person
- 3-6:1 - $570 per person
Joshua Tree
California
Difficulty
Beginner
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