Great Range
Mountain Guides
Rock
Whether it’s your first day ever climbing, your first day out on real rock, you're an experienced climber looking for help developing skills, achieving an objective or looking for a competent climbing partner, we’ve got you covered. If you’re climbing roadside or way off the beaten path, climbing in the Adirondacks has a much more wilderness feel than many other climbing areas on the east coast. It’s one of the biggest reasons that we love the climbing here! And something we think you’ll enjoy also.
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First Steps on Rock
Book nowWe can provide an introduction to climbing for people who have never tried it before or are very new to the sport. These days are built to be welcoming, movement-focused, and confidence building, with plenty of time to learn the basics in a mountain setting.
Skills Focus
Climbing movement, belaying, tying in, communication, and a strong first understanding of how climbing systems work.
Technical Skills & Efficiency
Book nowFor climbers ready to go deeper, we can help build both technical and physical skills in the single-pitch setting. These days can be customized around movement coaching, top rope systems, anchor management, and the foundations needed to become a more capable and independent climber.
Skills Focus
Top rope systems, anchor basics, rope handling, movement refinement, and progression toward Learn to Lead objectives.
Systems for Bigger Terrain
Book nowWe also work with climbers looking to develop the skills needed for longer routes and more committing terrain. Multi-pitch days can emphasize movement and endurance, but also the technical side of climbing larger objectives safely and efficiently.
Skills Focus
Multi-pitch systems, transitions, self rescue, rope management, and lead-climbing judgment for bigger days in the mountains.
It can be difficult to know when a good time of year is to go climbing or what the best choice is for a given day. Over time, we've found that the process of choosing the best objective for the day is something that we greatly enjoy about guiding. Below, are some thoughts and suggestions based on trial and error and experience. They are organized into two or three month "seasons", as that best reflects the most common conditions.
April → June
Spring, at least in the North Country, is often derided as "mud-season". However, it can be a great time for rock climbing, with fewer to no bugs, sunny cliffs before the leaves come out and low humidity and crowds.
Recommended Cliffs
Deadwater, Pitchoff Chimney Cliff, and Hurricane Crag
July → August
High summer in the Adirondacks is beautiful but fleeting. It usually passes in a frenetic blur filled with eight weeks of climbing, hiking and swimming hole lounging. By the 4th of July, the bugs are subsiding and the cliffs are drying out from any spring dampness. The long days and warmer temperatures make this an ideal time of year to venture into the High Peaks.
Recommended Cliffs
Chapel Pond cliffs (Beer Walls, Spider's Web, Chapel Pond Slab, etc), Barkeater, Avalanche Pass, Wallface, and Gothic South Face
September → October
This is it. Sendtember. Rocktober. While the nicknames are cheesy, they are also accurate. This is the prime time of year for rock climbing in the Adirondacks and the northeast in general. As the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves start to turn, spectacular days are possible.
Recommended Cliffs
Poke-o Moonshine, Upper Washbowl, and the Silver Lake Cliffs
Rates
| Half Day | Full Day | Extended Day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Guest | $275 | $375 | $500 |
| 2 Guests | $350 | $500 | $600 |
| 3 Guests | $450 | $600 | — |
| 4 Guests | $500 | $700 | — |
Half Day
4 hours or less · Typically 8:30-12:30
Full Day
7 hours · Typically 8:30-3:30
Extended Day
8+ hours · Often before 8:30 and after 4:30
What's Included
Instruction and technical gear — helmet, harness, shoes, and belay device. Food, lodging, and gratuities not included.
Footwear
Clothing
Sun & Weather