Red Rock Climbing Course
Courses In The Desert Sun
Join Mountain Madness guides at the West’s best desert rock-climbing area! Red Rock, located minutes from glitzy Las Vegas, Nevada, offers something for every climber — from challenging sport routes, to long and classic multi-pitch traditional climbs.
Our course in Red Rock goes one step further than most beginner-intermediate climbing courses. In addition to learning the basics, belaying, rappelling and knots, participants will also have some hands-on experience with placing protection, building anchors, and mock-lead climbing. You’ll receive the personalized instruction needed to prepare you for multi-pitch routes. This course gives students a solid foundation in all aspects of rock climbing and is an excellent way to prepare for alpine rock climbs in the North Cascades, the Matterhorn, and Carstensz Pyramid.
Short on time? We can arrange a custom course for you allowing for both flexibility with time and topics to be covered. Contact us for details at info@mountainmadness.com or call 800−328−5925
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Description
Course curriculum includes:
- Selection and use of ropes, knots and harnesses
- Anchor construction, equalization, and evaluation of top rope, lead and rappel anchors
- Development of more advanced 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
There is a fair amount of flexibility regarding which routes you can climb in Red Rock. The routes you’ll climb will depend on your skills and interests. You’ll be able to choose from many of the following: Frog Land, Solar Slab, Tunnel Vision, Olive Oil, Crimson Chrysalis, Ginger Cracks, and many others.
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Red Rock Course
from $255 – Per Day
- 1:1 - $490 per person
- 2:1 - $320 per person
- 3-6:1 - $255 per person
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Price Includes
- Instruction / Guide
- Group climbing equipment
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation
- All additional fees — Camping, permit, parking, etc.
- Hotel accommodations
- Restaurant meals
- All personal equipment
- Travel insurance with trip cancellation, medical and evacuation policy
- Guide gratuities
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
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Red Rock Climbing Course 2025 Dates
- Apr 28, 2025 — May 2, 2025
- Oct 13, 2025 — Oct 17, 2025
Course can be 1 – 5 days in duration. Course is also 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 any type 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
Below is our most comprehensive course to take participants from the ground up learning the basics to a final culmination on one of the areas famous long, multi-pitch routes- an amazing journey!
If your short on time join for a few days of the course or customize your trip to accommodate your schedule and fine-tune the topics you want to cover. Contact us for more details at info@mountainmadness.com or call 800−328−5925
Day by Day/ Beginner-Intermediate
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Day 1
Meet your Mountain Madness guide at the Visitor Center at 8:00 am. After an orientation and equipment check, you’ll begin the day with a review of essential knot tying skills and proper use of equipment. You will also review proper belay commands and techniques that will prepare you for actual climbing. Once these basics are covered, you begin climbing! Communication signals and various friction, face, and crack climbing techniques will be covered. Top rope set-up, anchors, belaying a lead climber, cleaning protection, rappelling, and rope management will round out the day’s activities. In the evening we camp at a nearby campground.
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Day 2
You’ll get an early start and review any skills you feel you need to work on from Day 1, and then you’ll spend the rest of the day putting your skills to work climbing, including doing a multi-pitch climb which will give you a taste of what is to come. In the evening you have the option to enjoy the Las Vegas night life.
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Day 3
We’ll practice the fundamental skills of traditional climbing. Other areas covered are anchoring systems, and equalization techniques. 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.
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Day 4
Today is about taking it to the next level, an ascent of a multi-pitch climb. We will climb one of the great moderate multi-pitch climbs that Red Rock is famous for. We’ll get an early start to beat the crowds and the heat and ascend the Cat in the Hat, Frog Land, or Solar Slab.
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Day 5
We’ll get an early start for the last big route of the trip. This route will be the climber’s choice.There is a fair amount of flexibility regarding which routes you can climb in Red Rock. The routes you’ll climb will depend on your skills and interests. Your small group will choose from one of the following: Frog Land, Solar Slab, Tunnel Vision, Olive Oil or others.
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 Red 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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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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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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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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Red Rock Course
from $255
Per Day
- 1:1 - $490 per person
- 2:1 - $320 per person
- 3-6:1 - $255 per person
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