Rock Climbing II:

The Rock Climbing II course is a beginner rock climbing top rope anchor building class. We will spend the first half of the day at an on-site ground school working on proper placements and equalization of rock climbing protection including: placing passive and active protection (spring loaded camming devices, stoppers, tri-cams, hexcentrics, etc.), route selection, top rope anchor site selections, & assessing and backing up fixed anchors. The remaining part of the day will be spent atop a cliff building basic anchor systems, and then climbing on the work we have done. We will finish the day with a rappel. If time permits, we'll cover antique gear including broken and misused gear and anchors.

Offered year round in Joshua Tree National Park and Idyllwild.

Hours: Typically 9AM - 5PM meeting at the course location

To-Bring List:
Comfortable Shoes
Lightweight pants or shorts, comfortable and easy to move in
Lightweight shirt, synthetic if possible
Fleece pants or sweats for warmth
Fleece top for warmth
Beanie
Backpack
Meals
2-3 liters of water

Note on Itinerary:
This course is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and climbing area conditions.

Important Information about Air Travel:
Contact ATS prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Price Includes:
Professional instruction and technical climbing equipment

Not Included:
Transportation from your hometown to the group meeting point; lodging or campsites at any of the course locaitons, insurance of any kind; all meals, gratuities and items of a personal nature. Note: alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the course.

Closest Airport(s):
Palm Springs Airport (PSP) - Palm Springs, California (Joshua Tree and Idyllwild)

Transfers:
If you require a transfer from the closest airport, just let us know and we'll arrange transportation for a small surcharge (typically $50-$100).

Qualifications:
Participants must be prepared to hike 1-2 miles over uneven terrain while wearing a backpack. Students should be comfortable with heights and have prior outdoor climbing experience (for the three day school only). Students must complete pre-course homework by learning a list of required knots and hitches.

Weather:
Temperatures can range from 50 - 80° F during the day to 40 - 60° F at night depending on course location and time of year. Upon registration, a seasonal and location specific gear recommendation list will be sent electronically. Course participants should arrive prepared for all possibilities by following the gear recommendations. This is a base version of our to-bring list. Items may be added depending on the course level and location.