Jordan Taylor
Explore some of the most classic climbing areas in the West!
Wild Iris. Vedawoo. City of Rocks. Epic names filled with classic routes in the Rockies. Each of these areas is unique and presents climbers with beautiful views and plenty of challenges. Get ready to hone your skills and emerge with the technical prowess and leadership skills to take your climbing to the next level.
Your course begins with basic camping and expeditionary skills - base camp set-up and maintenance, Leave No Trace camping techniques, cooking, and stove use. You’ll start with beginning rock climbing skills, such as belaying, tying knots, rope handling, communication, top-roping, and rappelling. As your skills progress, you’ll delve into more advanced topics like climbing ethics, placing protection, anchor building, and lead climbing for those students displaying the appropriate skill level. There may also be an opportunity to do multi-pitch climbs.
Throughout this course, you will learn and practice the NOLS leadership model. You will discuss the human history of the area you are climbing in and talk about the past and present people who live on the land you are visiting. Interpreting and understanding the natural environment where you climb is an important part of this course. You may go bird watching, learn basic astronomy, and study the various geological features around you.