Crack Climbing Clinic

$249

PER PERSON

5:1

RATIO

Improve your crack climbing, guaranteed.

upcoming dates

Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711

Take your crack climbing to the next level!

We offer this as a 1-day clinic locally in the Tahoe area and a 2-day experience in Moab, Utah.

Level up with jam-packed with crack climbing of all different sizes and configurations! With a 5:1 ratio limit, you will get tons of personalized coaching with plenty of flexibility to meet your individual needs!

Moab 2-day clinics:
We will be camping together, immersing ourselves in the landscape while sharing stories around the fire. Tents, dinner, and refreshments are provided.

While this will be a weekend focused on jamming and trad climbing skills we hope that the beauty of the scenery and time shared with new friends will leave a lasting impression that goes beyond climbing.

Who is this clinic for?

Anyone who wants to improve their crack climbing skills!

Learning the perfect jam.

Tahoe 1-Day Itinerary

We will meet at the trailhead with bags already packed for a day of climbing. We’ll head to the wall and discuss some basic jams while setting up a variety of routes. You’ll climb your heart out and be coached on your technique from a nearby fixed-line. On the ground, crack training devices and books will be used to dial in your tough sizes!

Depending on ratio, energy, and group interest, some trad leading curriculum may be covered.

Moab 2-Day Itinerary

Day 0: We highly recommend that you arrive this evening so that you can get a good night’s sleep. You’re welcome to come to join us out at the campsite this night to save yourself the morning drive and get straight into the dirt 🙂

Day 1: We will meet at the crag or leave together from camp with bags already packed for a day of climbing. We’ll head to the wall and discuss some basic jams while setting up a variety of routes. You’ll climb your heart out and be coached on your technique from a nearby fixed-line. As we get tired we’ll discuss some trad gear placements and anchoring considerations. We’ll head to camp before sunset so you’ll have time to settle in before eating dinner and chatting around the fire.

Day 2: We’ll have breakfast in camp before heading to the crag for the day. Those needing to head out that night will need to pack up their belongings. We’ll go to a new crag based on what YOU want to focus on. On this day we will emphasize body positioning while moving up the cracks. There will also be potential for some mock leading and lead climbing at our discretion. As our energy for climbing wanes, we’ll do an introduction to self-rescue and answer any questions you may have. At the end of the day, we’ll exchange contact info before folks head home.

Extra Day!: This is optional and would incur an additional cost but if you’re free after the clinic why not stick around and climb a multi-pitch or get some mentorship on your trad climbing? Contact us after booking to secure this day.

What's Included?

All ropes, cams, and technical equipment
Non-stop stoke and instruction
All photos taken during the trip! Including top-down photos from a fixed line.

Moab 2-Day Clinic

Campsite and tents to sleep in (including the night before and after clinic days)
Simple Breakfast of oatmeal, bagels, and coffee
“Burrito Bar” dinner between clinic dates (usually Saturday night)
Cooking Supplies if you’d like to make your own breakfast
Refrigerated Storage for your breakfast and lunch foods

Not Included:

Airfare
Local travel/car rental
Lunch food or snacks
Travel/Trip Cancellation Insurance (recommended)
Anything on the What to Bring tab

What to Bring

Climbing Gear:

Harness
Helmet
Crack Climbing Shoes (an aggressive shoe will be really painful, contact us with questions!)
Assisted Braking Belay Device (GriGri, Jul, etc)
Crack Gloves (or Tape)
Chalk Bag
Belay Gloves (optional)
Backpack (>30 liters)

Moab 2 Day Clinic

Camp:

Sleeping Bag and Pad
Headlamp
Toiletries + Medications
Water Bottle
Mug/Thermos for Coffee/Tea

Clothes:

Warm Hat
Sun Glasses
Sun Shirt
Sun Hat
Thin Pants for climbing
Solid Shoes for approaches
Warm Puffy Jacket
Long Underwear (nights can be cold!)
Rain Coat

Food:

Dinner on Saturday will be provided. If you are coming out Friday night or staying Sunday night please bring food.
Oats, bagels, and coffee will be available but if you’d like to cook yourself something else you’re welcome to use our stoves and cooking supplies.
Please bring your own lunch food.

Prerequisites

This clinic is for beginner and experienced outdoor crack climbers (up to 5.11) but is not recommended for brand-new climbers.

Here are some prerequisites:

Top-Roping 5.9 outside or 5.10 in the gym.
Competent top rope belay skills.
Fitness for some steep approaches and long days at the crag.

Possible Course Locations

Red Rock, Nevada

Calaveras Dome

Donner Summit

Joshua Tree National Park

Pine Creek Canyon

Moab, Utah

SEE DATES & BOOK ↓

$249

PER PERSON

4:1

RATIO

Improve your crack climbing, guaranteed.

Tap to expand

stoked

Climbers!

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 64 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Misty Lawrence 
 5 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had taken an intro to trad clinic through another company fairly recently, so I was apprehensive about taking another intro to trad course, but I was still hesitant to lead trad after the first course and a friend recommended Erik so I decided to go for it. I’m super stoked I did! The class was small, only 3 of us, so the course felt very tailor fit to our needs. Erik has a fantastic positive vibe, he’s incredibly supportive, and his instruction was very clear and easy to understand. After a bit of informative ground school much of the course was spent on the wall learning gear placement with his close guidance. By the end of the course all 3 of us led 5.6 and 5.7 routes. I have so much more confidence leading trad now, I highly recommend Vertical Pursuits!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   oliver symonds 
 2 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We scheduled an intro to trad course to learn the basics and get familiar with the techniques. Even before the day of the course, Kevin and Erik were super helpful with recommendations and ensuring the day would be dialed in for us. On the day of the course, Erik was an excellent guide covering the basics and quickly getting us on the wall. My son was excitedly putting up trad leads well before the end of the day. It was great having a high level of instruction and mentorship, while feeling less like a guide and more like a coach. We'll be back for sure.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Harvey Clarke 
 20 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik is a fantastic guide - he made trad climbing and multipitch super accessible for a full group of 4 climbers at once. Highly recommend these guys!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Shari VanT 
 14 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. One of the best, safest, and most fun guides I have climbed with! Highly recommend Vertical Pursuit’s!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Michael Silvester 
 25 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik is an outstanding teacher, guide, and all around great guy! I spent the day with him and one other student at School Rock on Donner Summit taking the Intro to Multipitch course and it was stellar! He has a great teaching style—knowledgeable, patient, and easy to learn from. He broke down complex systems into simple, understandable steps and made sure we felt comfortable asking questions along the way. What really stood out was how invested he was in helping us learn and build confidence. His experience and expertise were obvious, but he never made anything feel intimidating. By the end of the day, I felt much more confident with multi-pitch climbing systems and techniques. If you’re looking for a guide who is professional, approachable, has done laps on El Cap (including The Nose!) and genuinely passionate about teaching, I highly recommend Erik and Vertical Pursuits.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Olivia Simon 
 10 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience learning from Kevin at the Intro to Sport Climbing class. He is an amazing teacher - super kind and never made me feel dumb for asking really basic questions. The format of the class is awesome. You get time on the ground to learn skills and then get to apply them on the wall. Everything feels super safe and thoughtful. I learned a ton and think it's an insane value for the price. It's a whole day of instruction with no more than 4 people in the course, but my course only had 2 so that meant even more time on the wall and extra mentoring. Also, the communication with the Vertical Pursuits team was top notch. Kevin was kind enough to chat with me on the phone before I took the class to answer my questions and make sure the class would be a good fit. He was great about communicating location and timing the day of. And, he followed up after class with an email of everything we talked about + videos and resources for review. If you're on the fence, take the course! It's a great opportunity to learn from real pros and up your knowledge safely!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ethan F 
 31 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kevin brought me and a buddy out to sport climb for the first time, and it was a great time. He's a great mentor who's friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to answer all your stupid questions. He went above and beyond to be helpful, and offered resources even after our day of climbing. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tim Blair 
 30 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kevin was an awesome teacher and guide. Classes feel more personal because of the limited number of people. We took the trad class, learned how to place gear effectively, then put it to the test the same day. I felt incredibly safe and confident in my and Kevin’s abilities. Thank you for a great climbing day!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Phoenix Morrow 
 30 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome time learning the basics of Trad climbing with Kevin. The small group helped me and my partner feel like we were able to ask all the questions we needed, and we were able to receive constructive feedback. The guides are very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Melisa Hickman 
 19 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vertical Pursuits is AWESOME!! I had a trad lesson with Kevin at Sugarloaf.  Kevin was extremely safe, thorough, and encouraging.  We had just the right balance of ground school and climbing.  Before my day with Kevin I was afraid to try anything harder than a 5.7 crack and he helped me to bust right through that fear with his calm, reassuring guidance.  I had the best day with him and I feel totally ready to push through my plateau.