Private Instruction
quick details
- 1-4 People
- Half or Full Day
- Easy to Difficult
- No Experience Required
- 1/2 Day Starting at $250Full Day Starting at $400
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
Become an Independent Climber
Your time is valuable—make the most of it with private instruction tailored just for you. Whether you’re a first-time climber or looking to master advanced skills, we’ve got you covered. Anchor building, sport or trad leading, multi-pitch, big wall, rope-soloing, or self-rescue we teach it all. We’ve “been there, done that” in our personal climbing journeys and have taught hundreds of climbers like you to confidently climb on their own.
Personal mentorship is our specialty. You have goals, and we know exactly what it takes to achieve them. Reach out, and let’s equip you with the skills to make every adventure truly your own.
Vertical Pursuits offers private instruction at our many locations, ensuring we pick the perfect venue for your goals and the season.
Our Locations
Possible Topics
When it comes to rock climbing, we teach it all. While we cover a wide range of common topics, the true advantage of private instruction is that your guide will tailor the coaching to your skill level, seamlessly integrating multiple topics throughout the day.
Introductory
- Basic Climbing Skills (knots, belaying)
- Top Rope Anchor Building
- Intro to Sport Climbing
- Rappelling
Intermediate
- Intro to Trad Climbing
- Intro to Multipitch Climbing
- Multipitch Self-Rescue
- Crack Climbing Skills
Advanced
- Advanced Trad Climbing Skills
- Multipitch Efficiency
- Big Wall Climbing
- Top Rope Soloing
- Lead Rope Soloing
Pricing
Half Day Pricing
(4 hours)
Starting at $250 for 1 climber
$75 per additional climber
Full Day Pricing
(8 hours)
Starting at $400 for 1 climber
$100 per additional climber
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.
Quick Details
- 1-15 People
- Half or Full Day
- Easy to Moderate
- No Experience Required
- 1/2 Day Starting at $250Full Day Starting at $400
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