EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 68 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Simone Kirkevold 
 
14 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
let me tell you about this one guy erik: PHENOMENAL dude. on his day off, he took time out of his climbing session to help me out with figuring out how to rope-solo, after i (a wee gumby) watched a few youtube videos and figured i should go and try it, and he let me use his gear!!!!!! he made my session so much safer, and also gave insightful comments on why we do things certain ways, and why (what would have been my setup) would bring out the worst in both my safety devices. his encouragement was inspiring, and vibes were through the roof. could not recommend this company enough (and erik)
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Justice Pettigrew 
 
14 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Erik was a phenomenal guide. He taught me finger lock and jamming techniques and helped me send my first 5.10B! He was so informative and made me feel secure with my gear. I even took my first trad fall with him. Trad climbing had felt a bit like free soloing in the past, like I wasn’t allowed to fall and had to climb well below my limits, but Erik gave me the confidence and knowledge to see what good placements looked like and how to push my limits with trad climbing! I could not recommend Vertical Pursuits enough and look forward to continuing to work with them!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Nat 
 
27 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Erik is a great instructor, and I felt like I got more than my money's worth taking his Trad Beyond the Basics course. The description says it'll take you from leading 5.low to 5.high and it actually did!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jamie Mackie 
 
25 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience with Erik was absolutely phenomenal. He met my wife and I at the meet up point with all his gear ready to go. I felt like we learned so much during the time we spent with him. I moved from being very nervous about climbing to feeling comfortable. I don’t feel like I have to ask others to check my work anymore before I feel safe.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 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!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 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!