Learn to Climb Outside — The Right Way

No experience is required for Wednesday Foundations — it's specifically designed for people who have never climbed outside before. For Tuesday Sport and Thursday Trad sessions, some basic climbing experience is helpful but not required. If you're not sure where you fit, start with a free Wednesday and you'll know by the end of the session exactly what your next step is.

Most climbers are surprised by how quickly the foundational skills come together.

After one or two Wednesday Foundations sessions you should feel comfortable with your personal gear — harness, helmet, and shoes — tie a perfect figure-eight followthrough, confidently top rope belay, and have a clear understanding of how outdoor climbing works and what your next steps are.

After three to four Tuesday Sport sessions most climbers can belay a lead climber, clean a sport anchor, set up a top rope on a sport climb, and begin leading lower-grade sport routes outdoors.

Trad takes longer and that's by design. It starts with understanding the gear itself — how each piece works and why — and building that into confident anchor construction. From there the focus shifts to the full system: what to think about when leading on gear, how to manage a trad belay, and how to make sound decisions at the crag. The final milestone is placing gear on a lead, building an anchor at the top, and rappelling down. Most climbers take one to two months to work through the full trad progression and dial it all in — and that's completely normal.

The honest answer is that a month of consistent sessions will change how you move and think outdoors. The climbers who progress fastest are the ones who also climb outside on their own between sessions.

All climbing gear is provided — harness, helmet, shoes, and rope. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Closed-toe shoes are required if you're not using climbing shoes. Layers are smart for evening sessions in Boulder Canyon, even in summer.

Sport climbing sessions focus on lead climbing, movement, and managing sport routes — the skills needed to show up at a crag and climb confidently. Trad sessions focus on gear, anchors, and the decision-making behind traditional climbing. Most climbers start with sport and add trad once they're comfortable leading outdoors. Some come specifically for trad systems from the beginning. Both are open to anyone who has completed Foundations.

Six climbers maximum per session, always led personally by Matt. This isn't a guided tour or a gym class — it's deliberate small-group instruction where you're actually getting coached, not managed.

Credits never expire. Purchase a pack and use the sessions whenever your schedule allows — one credit per session attended. Credits are valid for any Tuesday Sport or Thursday Trad session. Wednesday Foundations is always free and never requires a credit.

Possibly. If you're comfortable at the crag and manage your own anchors and systems confidently, this program may be below your level. If you've climbed outside but still feel uncertain about anchors, lead climbing, or trad gear — that's exactly the gap this program is built to close. When in doubt, email matt@ropewranglers.com and describe where you're at. Honest answer guaranteed.