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Introduction to rock climbing in Bear Valley, California (Full day)

The certified guides from SWS Mountain Guides will take you on this spectacular full day introduction to rock climbing in Bear Valley, California, not far from Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area, and a truly beautiful and idyllic place to learn the basic skills, techniques and confidence needed to begin rock climbing.

Private and Group

Sierra Nevada (California)

1 Day

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Occasional

First Time


Highlights

  • Learn to rock climb in the spectacular Bear Valley, California!
  • Learn the basic skills, techniques and confidence needed to tackle climbs
  • Admire the beautiful views out over the Californian countryside

Description

If you join me on this fun and exciting full-day introduction to rock climbing in Bear Valley, California, you will gain the confidence, skills and techniques needed to begin rock climbing on a variety of routes and surfaces, as we climb up the spectacular rock formations that frame Bear Valley, with absolutely incredible views out over the quintessential Californian countryside.

Bear Valley is nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, approximately 2 hours from the Bay Area and halfway between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. It is a popular outdoor activity destination all-year-round, and is one of the most popular rock climbing locale’s in California.

Our adventure begins in the morning, when we meet at our office in the town of Bear Valley, and initially we will run through all relevant safety instructions and equipment, and how to best put them in to practice.

The course and curriculum is designed for people with minimal or no prior climbing experience, and thus we will cover the fundamentals of rock climbing in detail.

Some of the skills and techniques covered throughout the day include equipment, basic climbing techniques, belay techniques, lowering climbers, route finding, setting up top rope anchors and basic knots.

There will be ample time to put all of these in to practice, with a wide array of beginner climbing routes available, enabling you to go at your own pace to truly master the skills we have learned.

The views out over the surrounding countryside are sublime, with the alpine forests and lakes stretching out in to the distance, creating a sumptuous setting and relaxed vibe to proceedings.

At the end of the day hopefully you will have gotten hooked on the highly addictive activity of rock climbing, and increased your desire to return to the magnificent Bear Valley.

Learn to rock climb in one of California’s most gorgeous spots – book now to secure your place!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Rope

- Harness

- Helmet

Price details

Includes: Professional Guides, helmet, harness, all technical rock equipment, permits and permit fees.

Note: Group Rock Climbing Trips are available from 4-30 give us a call for a quote - Bear Valley Rock Climbing - Memorial Day (Late May) through September.


Itinerary

Day 1: Meet, Rock Climb, Finish

Meet in morning in Bear Valley, rock climb all day, finish.

 

Details

Meeting point

Bear Valley, California, USA

About the guide

Since 1981, we have been California's leader in guided mountaineering. From the Eastern Sierra to Mt. Shasta, we guide all of California 14ners and internationally.

Languages

English

Residence

Mount Shasta, California


What people are saying about SWS Mountain Guides

Loren Sweet

4.00

September, 2022

Had an amazing experience! What memories but must be honest, we were in over our head. Feel we were physically up to it but we went from sea level to 10,000 feet in 30 hours and it was a challenge to keep up. Some time to acclimate would have made a big difference. The guides were careful and supportive. We were outside our comfort zone for sure but also realize that made it so memorable! Thanks Loren

Jon Niswander

5.00

July, 2022

Life changing experience!!

Theodora C

5.00

January, 2022

I have summited some amazing peaks, but Mt. Whitney has stolen my heart. From her diverse landscape, to the ever changing appearance of her face each hour of the day; she is a wild beauty not easily put out of your mind. This Jersey girl hiked/climbed/scrambled-up/slid-down the Mountaineer’s Route, which was both physically and mentally challenging but, incredibly fulfilling. My guide, Matt M., was confident, extremely knowledgeable and skilled, and I am pretty sure part mountain goat. Best guide I have ever had, prettiest mountain I have ever been on; if you are considering this hike, I would say DO IT!

Bryan Vidinsky

5.00

January, 2022

Fantastic guide service! I have skied with a number of guides over the years and I have to say that the guide we booked through SWS was one of the most knowledgeable, instructive and fun guides I have spent time with on the mountain. From the pre-trip communication all the way through the climb and ski down, I felt that I was in good hands, which was really important to me as my climb/ski partner was my 17 year old son. Our trip was epic, 4:00AM wakeup to a full moon, beautiful climb and huge ski down, my only complaint is that it was only a two day trip! Highly recommend, great experience!

Rising Percey

5.00

May, 2022

Our guides took 27 of us, all of different skill level and age range 12- 50. We all loved it! Professional, friendly, helpful and highly skilled. I highly recommend them.

Magdalena Bucka

5.00

April, 2022

This was an amazing trip and overall super positive experience with SWS Mountain Guides. I had a great guide with lots of mountain experience and many cool stories to share!

Ken Manabe

5.00

February, 2022

The hike was great and I got exactly I wanted.

Barbara J Eikmeier

5.00

January, 2021

Too bad this review does not allow six stars. SWS is professional, client focused, flexible, and has the clients best interests in mind. I can say the personnel and leadership skills of the SWS guides are among the best. You can't go wrong with SWS.

Kendra Grubb

5.00

August, 2021

Excellent experience with my guide Ben and SWS. Was able to summit Mt Whitney via the mountaineer’s route thanks to Ben’s understanding of the mountain and assessment of my capabilities. Great experience that exceeded my expectations.

Oz Pena

3.00

June, 2021

Overall, the fair evaluation for the SWS Mountain Guides and the guide assigned to me is 3 stars. Reasons: 1. The guide did not seem to remember or respect the fact that I was new to mountaineering and that the name of program is called “introduction to mountaineering...”. For example, the guide set his own time for walking and resting without any concern to my physical ability for that timing. The guide walked ahead many times and didn’t even notice when I fell a few times. I understand the guide is not the insurer of safety or a hand holder, but a complete abrasive approach to the service is not right, especially when it’s a paid service. Perhaps, the guide is not a right choice for introduction tours. 2. There was a miscommunication with timing of the summit day. I thought we would start summiting around 5am the next day; however, I was told less than 15 hours before that we would start hiking at 1am the next day from base camp. We arrived at base camp early afternoon, and I’m wired up, hot, and not prepared to fall asleep between 5pm-12am, thus, I didn’t sleep at all. I attempted the summit hike but around 12k feet the sleep deprivation was killing me and I was catching myself falling asleep and my body trying to lay down while waking. The guide didn’t seem to concerned about this. Lack of empathy. Eventually, I had to insist we turn around because I didn’t want to go beyond 30 hours of no sleep and still have to descend from the summit. 3. The guide did help set up the tent and food. The guide did explain layers of clothes on and off and why. The guide did help instruct how to pack and why. 4. Overall, I feel this guide is best suited for advanced climbers not introduction courses as he seems to be more of a “ill walk ahead of you” not “ill walk with you” type of guide.

Harshikesh Panchal

5.00

January, 2019

Had an amazing experience climbing Mt. Whitney with Richard & Tim. They were excellent guides and safely got us to the summit and back.

Michael Smith

5.00

January, 2019

Neil from SWS was amazing. We climbed the Mountaineering Route up to Mt. Whitney. It was an amazing experience. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I leaned a lot. I would absolutely use these guys again.

Jordan Kowalski

5.00

January, 2019

My guides name was Matt and we were lucky enough to summit Mt. Whitney during the winter. This was one of the most rewarding and fun experiences I have done and SWS did a great job throughout the process. Matt was such a great guide who took the time to educate us. He was polite, understanding and very helpful throughout the climb, I felt comfortable with him right from the start and look forward to more climbs with both Matt and the SWS team. Would recommend them to anyone!

Andrew Moran

5.00

January, 2018

Just finished my second trip with SWS Mountain guides...summiting Mt. Shasta a few days ago (previously climbed Mt Whitney last summer with SWS as well). This company provides excellent service both on and off the mountain, from addressing all my questions prior to the trip to establishing a well-rounded professional and fun educational experience during the climb itself!!!! Specifically, the guides on my trip were amazing, connecting with me on both a professional and personal level, keeping in tune with all aspects of the climb, emphasizing safety and education while helping me to fine-tune my climbing technique. Having used several different guiding services in the past, I have no hesitation to highly recommend SWS mountain guides!!!!

Neil Ferguson

5.00

January, 2015

I climbed Mt whitney with sws mountain guides in may 2015 ,what a fantastic experience me and two friends from the uk where led by john brown (jb) who was highly professional,knowledgeable and really good company.


 

 

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