Outdoor Climbing Day
Private Program Details
- 1-15 People
- Half or Full Day
- Easy to Moderate
- No Experience Required
-
1/2 Day $275
Full Day $475
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
Experience the beauty and challenge of outdoor rock climbing!
This program is designed for climbers of all ages and abilities and is customized for your party. Small groups or experienced climbers may want to log mileage on classic climbs or learn some skills. Larger groups or newer climbers may want to learn the basics of climbing and belaying, climb some fun routes, and finish the day with a rappel!
If you can dream it we can do it! Click “Book Now” to make it happen.
Vertical Pursuits offers outdoor climbing at all of our incredible venues but some popular options for groups are:
- Bay Area: Indian Rock near Castle Rock State Park, Cragmont Park in Berkeley
- Sacramento Area: Auburn Quarry
- Tahoe Area: Lover’s Leap, Donner Summit
Our Locations
Sample Itinerary
This is a rough outline for a full day of climbing with a group of beginner climbers. All trips are customized to your needs!
You’ll meet your guide at the trailhead/parking lot and everyone will be fitted with a harness, shoes, and helmet before making a short walk over to our venue for the day. You’ll learn some basic skills such as tying into the rope and belaying before spending the day climbing and belaying each other on a variety of routes. During the day we will set up a rappelling experience off the top of the cliff, you’ll be in control (backed up by our professional guides) as you descend to the ground! Eventually we’ll pack up our gear and head back to the cars for high-fives and goodbyes.
What's Included?
- Personal Equipment (Harness, Helmet, Shoes) *Must request after booking!
- All photos taken during the outing.
- Professional Guide/Instructor Certified by the American Mountain Guides Association
What to Bring
- Harness, Helmet, Climbing Shoes (Free rentals are available! Please contact us after booking.)
- Small Backpack
- Water (2 Liters)
- Food/Snacks
- Jacket
- Sunscreen
- Sun Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Bug Spray
Pricing
Half Day Pricing
(4 hours)
$275 for 1 climber
+$100 per additional climber
Full Day PricingÂ
(8 hours)
Starting at $475 for 1 climber
+$100 per additional climber
*Inquire about large group pricing.
Do we need climbing experience?
No climbing experience is required! Complete beginners are welcome.
What ages can come climbing?
We can accommodate climbers as young as 5 years old! If you plan to bring children under 10 years old please let us know when booking so we can ensure we have small enough equipment for them.
What safety standards do you have?
Our guides are trained and certified by the internationally recognized American Mountain Guides Association and operate within their industry-recommended Scope of Practice. They hold wilderness medical certifications and emergency communication devices.
That’s a lot of jargon. The bottom line is that our guides have been working professionally for over a decade each, have done thousands of days on the rock with people like you without incident, and have all the applicable industry training.
Climbing is inherently dangerous.
How does cancellation or rescheduling work?
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for details.
Upcoming Course!
Private Program Details
- 1-15 People
- Half or Full Day
- Easy to Moderate
- No Experience Required
- 1/2 Day $275Full Day $475
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
stoked
Climbers!
EXCELLENT Based on 58 reviews Posted on Ethan F31 March 2026Trustindex 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 Tim Blair30 March 2026Trustindex 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 Phoenix Morrow30 March 2026Trustindex 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 Melisa Hickman19 March 2026Trustindex 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.Posted on Roseville MTB Dad13 March 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I really can't recommend Vertical Pursuits, and Kevin Heinrich in particular as my guide, strongly enough. I'm in my mid-50s, very new to climbing and until quite recently never gave the prospect of entering the vertical world a moment's thought. Not wild about heights, highly risk-averse, etc. I stumbled into it by accident, with my 19-year-old son along for the ride. We found VP via local search and hooked up w/ Kevin for some prelims at Auburn Quarry, School Rock (Donner) and Cosumnes River Gorge. I got my first taste of multipitch at School Rock and was hooked. On relatively short notice, Kevin challenged me to a massive 2-day epic at Red Rock Canyon NV. Without thinking too much about it, I decided to give it a shot not really knowing what I was getting myself into. Day 1 he led me up 5.6 Geronimo in six pitches and we rappelled down (also six pitches) - huge, epic, wildly fun. Day 2 we just went harder and bigger, tackling 5.7 Group Therapy/Tunnel Vision in six pitches with a balls-out walk/scramble off that was almost as hard (and scary) as the climb! Kevin got me up and down safely both days and I had the time of my life. We had a lot of laughs, an epic adventure, and a profoundly positive, life-changing experience for me. Kevin is also a great teacher, coach, and mentor. And an authentic human being (even if he is a vegan!). Engaging, patient, and a good sense of humor. Very good at holding you accountable without being nitpicky or pedantic about it, utterly meticulous with safety procedures but knows when to let things slide a little and when to hold firm with the coaching/corrections. Patience is such a virtue, especially for a guide - working with someone who has vastly inferior skills and knowledge (me), never once did he exhibit the slightest frustration or impatience even at times when it must have been hard not to - particularly during the Tunnel Vision walk-off when I was far slower and more unsure of myself than he. Last but certainly not least - the real deal when it comes to climbing. Exceptionally skilled. I never had a doubt that he knew exactly what he was doing and that I was never at undue risk. It gave me the confidence I needed to keep pushing and do something I never thought I could do. You can't put a price on that. Thanks Kevin - look forward to many more adventures!Posted on Gil Takemori17 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fun, educational, nicely curated climbing in one of the premier destinations anywhere. Kevin and Erik are careful guides that ensure that amazing balance of memorable yet comfortable climbs while imparting their decades of experience along the way. You might be able to learn multi pitch techniques from your buddies, but getting trained by these AMGA Certified Guides will make your climbing a whole lot safer and more efficient!Posted on Rebecca Allyn16 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I came out from the East Coast not sure what to expect, but knowing I wanted to become a more independent climber and have some fun while my family and friends were stuck in a deep freeze back home. This experience exceeded any expectation I could have had. Kevin is at heart a teacher in addition to being a total adventurer. He's super focused on developing his climbers' competencies versus just hauling them up the mountain. We had the best time I've ever had outdoors - a fabulous mix of long, epic multipitch climbs and shorter routes where we could lead and put all that learning into action. The ground school sessions were invaluable for building real skills. If you're looking to level up your climbing abilities while having an incredible outdoor adventure, I can't recommend this highly enough. Kevin's approach makes you a better, more confident climber - not just someone who got to the top of a mountain.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!