Multipitch | Beyond the Basics
Multipitch | Beyond the Basics
- Sunday May 3rd @ Lover's Leap
- $249 per Person
- 4 Students per Instructor
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
Level up your multipitch skills and never get passed again!
This course will expand on your current multipitch skill set to help you move more efficiently and safely up and down bigger and bigger rock climbs. Spend 8 hours with a VERY FAST instructor who has climbed The Nose of El Capitan in a comfy half-day. You don’t need to get stronger or move faster, you need new skills, strategies, and principles!
Who is this course for?
- You want to speed up your multipitch climbing!
- You often start and/or finish your climbs in the dark.
- You don’t have more than 2 or 3 ways to accomplish multiptich climbing/rappelling tasks.
- You want to spend more time and energy climbing and less hanging around at belays!
- You’ve taken an Intro to Multipitch Course and/or have significant multipitch leading experience.
See more details below!
Itinerary
The day balances theoretical and practical components, combining strategy discussions with hands-on technical practice. You’ll develop essential skills for multipitch climbing—both ascending (climbing/anchoring) and descending (rappelling)—in authentic cliff environments with real equipment and loads. Climbing routes are deliberately short and easy to maximize repetitions and learning opportunities.
Though technical tips and tricks will enhance your efficiency, the greatest improvements in multipitch climbing speed come from refined approaches, deeper understanding, and effective strategies. This program delivers comprehensive development in all these areas under the guidance of an accomplished instructor with extensive real-world experience who truly “walks the walk.”
Curriculum
General Principles of Efficiency
- “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” philosophy
- Route finding
- Setting yourself up for success
- Balancing efficiency and safety
- Why efficiency matters (safety, enjoyment, accomplishment)
Rope Management
- Pancake flip
- Lap coils (big to small/small to big)
- Using ledges effectively
Transitions
- Gear organization strategies
- Lead vs. follow transitions
- Block leading vs. swing leading (pros/cons)
Strategic Decision Making
- When to link pitches (and when not to)
- Simul-climbing?
- Equipment selection for efficiency
- Stance management
- Anticipating next steps
- Task prioritization at belays
Anchor Building
- What matters most?
- New building methods.
- Expanding the toolbox.
Rappel Process
- Step by step for speed.
- Simul rappel?
- Stacked Rappels
And more!
What's Included?
- Ropes
- 8 hours of instruction
- Additional resources
Any of the following climbing gear if you request it in advance:
- Assisted Braking Belay Devices (GriGri)
- Anchor Material (Slings + Cordelette)
- Trad Gear
- Harness
- Helmet
- Shoes
What to Bring
- Harness, Helmet, Climbing Shoes
- Standard climbing kit: locking carabiners, slings/anchor material, belay devices (Gri-Gri + ATC).
- Standard Trad Rack (roughly .3-3, nuts, draws)
- Personal food, water, clothing and backpack for a day outside
*if you don’t have this equipment, just let us know! We got you covered.
Prerequisites
- You’ve taken an Intro to Multipitch Course and/or have significant multipitch leading experience.
- Trad climbing and anchoring skills and experience. See Intro to Trad.
- Multipitch rappelling experience.
This is not a course for people brand new to multipitch climbing.
Questions? Just reach out.
Possible Course Locations
Next Course Details
- Sunday May 3rd @ Lover's Leap
- $249 per Person
- 4 Students per Instructor
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
stoked
Climbers!
EXCELLENT Based on 52 reviews Posted on Jessica Rose4 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went on a rock climbing and yoga retreat in EPC with Erik and it was INCREDIBLE. Great instruction, great climbs, great vibes. I was one of the relatively newer-to-outdoor-climbing folks on the trip, and Erik was both patient and thorough in answering any and all of my questions. He helped build my confidence with lead climbing and lead belaying and I always felt super supported. Can't wait to play rocks with Erik again!Posted on Michael Westbrook2 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took the SPI course and exam with Kevin. We learned all of the required AMGA stuff and also got a lot of practical insights into the business.Posted on J. C.8 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vertical Pursuits is THE BEST rock climbing guiding service I’ve ever experienced. Erik has been our guide for years and he is reliable, prepared, knowledgeable, ready-for-anything, positive and downright fun. I always feel safe, supported, yet gently challenged with Erik. I always have the best time with Vertical Pursuits. If you’re looking to bridge into outdoor rock climbing or even up your climbing game, then Vertical Pursuits is the choice for you!! I Highly recommend!Posted on Vicky Wyatt3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been on a few climbing trips with Eric between 2023 and 2024 - such an amazing rock climbing guide and all round good human being. I went on a couple of organised group climbs (intro to sport climbing clinic and outdoor climbing day) and a couple of solo guided trips to Moab and Lovers' Leap - these are some of the best things I've ever done! So grateful to Eric and to Vertical pursuits making these climbs accessible for a relative beginner and so encouraging as well as being confident safety is a top priority. Highly, highly recommend and so sad I moved from the US so haven't got climb with Eric for a while.Posted on Andrea Willett3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Taking clinics with Vertical Pursuits was an absolute blast. Erik knows how to get on your level and make the material palpable. He and the staff at Vertical Pursuits are incredibly knowledgeable and hard working people, highly recommend if you are looking to learn more about safely rock climbing or a guiding service.Posted on Zain Memon3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik and Kev are unmatched!Posted on Meagen Doucette3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I took my spi instructor course with Kevin and couldn’t have asked for more. He was so tuned into what each of us needed and was sure we left with what AMGA curriculum listed AND MORE. He made sure we had enough energy to actually retain the info we learned and left plenty of time to practice real time. As the only female in the group, Kevin made me feel very comfortable and welcome. I would recommend Kevin and vertical pursuits to anyone looking to get SPI certified or guided up something.Posted on Eric R3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I took a big wall and aid climbing course with Erik and it was absolutely EXCELLENT! Never thought I could obtain the skills to big wall in the span of two days but the instruction was clear, efficient, and actually practiced during the course. I feel confident enough to get started and can definitely vouch for the instructors. They are extremely good at what they do and it is evident that it comes from a place of passion and love for climbing. Highly recommend anything with Vertical Pursuits!Posted on Justin Nguyen3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kevin is an incredibly knowledgeable instructor, guide, and rock climber. He's so passionate about teaching and helping climbers be safe that he's even been recording webinars and youtube videos for free!! The content on videos is top tier and some of the best on the webPosted on Kyle Moorman3 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went from learning trad with them to a year later confidently leading 5.11 on gear - highly recommend