Sport | Beyond the Basics
Sport | Beyond the Basics
- Not Scheduled
- $249 per Person
- 4 Students per Instructor
Or call/text us at (916) 299-0711
Nervous to take the fall? Learn how to tackle a project the right way!
Are you tired of being a plastic warrior and ready to climb harder grades outdoors? Many times, a lack of strength is not what is holding most people back. Strategizing, learning a route, overcoming the fear of falling, and gaining the mentality and confidence to try harder grades is what stops people in their outdoor progression more than strength.
A tight ratio on this program will allow your AMGA Certified Guide or Instructor to see where you are at and what’s holding you back! You’ll then get to work on those skills with expert guidance.
Who is this course for?
- You’ve taken a sport climbing course and you want to up your game.
- You climb hard in the gym but get scared outside.
- You want to climb higher grades but don’t understand how to get there
- You train indoors regularly, maybe even with a coach, but it has done very little for your outdoor progression.
- You want to learn how to project routes and overcome the fear of falling.
Itinerary
We’ll start off with a round table discussion about what we feel is holding us back in our climbing. We’ll talk about strategies for projecting harder routes, mentality, and how to approach a day of projecting vs simply going climbing. We’ll do some whipper therapy and incrementality build up to bigger falls as well as coach how to give soft catches. Eventually we’ll put it all together on routes that push us past our perceived limits and get you achieving your higher level goals!
We will progress from there differently for each individual. Some folks will be ready to lead some challenging climbs, others will want to practice more mock leads, and others may work on getting comfortable with small falls.
At the end of the day, we’ll group up, share what we learned, and exchange contact info with some new partners!
Curriculum
- What might hold us back
- Understanding how to project vs just climbing
- Stick Clipping (not just the first bolt)
- Equipping a route and extending clips in harder sequences for a redpoint
- Softer catches as a belayer
- Trimming down our gear
- When it is unsafe/safe to fall
- Incremental fall practice
- Personalized instruction for YOUR challenges
- Managing pump, fear, and expectations
What's Included?
- Ropes
- 8 hours of small group instruction
Any of the following climbing gear if you request it in advance:
- Assisted Braking Belay Devices (GriGri)
- Harness
- Helmet
- Shoes
What to Bring
- Harness, Helmet, Climbing Shoes
- Quickdraws, locking carabiners, rope, belay device.
- 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
- Personal sport leading experience (if you don’t check out our Intro to Sport course instead!)
- Solid lead and top rope belaying skills
- Capable of top roping 5.9 outside
- At least 1 year of climbing experience
*unsure of these prerequisites? Contact Us!
Possible Course Locations
Next Course Details
- Not Scheduled
- $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