Desert Voyagers

Topics Covered

• Climbing equipment
• Climbing knots
• Belaying
• rappelling and lowering
• Climbing ethics
• Basic anchoring principles
• Climbing techniques
• Climbing History

Intro to Rock Climbing is a 2.5-day class that covers basic skills necessary to safely climb and rappel bolted routes throughout Arizona. Participants learn and get hands on practice with techniques and equipment that the sport demands. The skills a student learns will prepare them for the Intermediate Climbing class and basic safety requirements needed out in the field. We also suggest this class for anyone who has been away from the sport for a few years or SAR members who might be considering more advanced technical rescue training.

Friday Evening to Sunday Afternoon Friday 6:00 PM at the Office
The weekend begins as a meet and greet with both people and equipment in mind. Come ready to talk, share, and learn some basic climbing knots and terminology before leaving for the real thing.

Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time to climb! Continuing from the Friday night session, you will explore more basic skills, get hands on, and begin some on-rope skills. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 5pm.

Sunday 8:00 AM in the field
Back at it! Today will be one filled with more rope skills, climbing, rappeling and belaying, and climbing scenarios. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 5pm. Typical Schedule Of a Class

Topics Covered

• Rappelling gear
• Risk assessment principles
• Basic rappelling anchors
• Bottom belays
• Basic self rescue
• Rigging releasable
• Knot craft
• Back-ups
• Ethical & environmental standards

Intro to Rappelling is a 1.5-day class that covers basic techniques and safety for beginner rappelling. By the end of the class, the typical student will have the skills necessary to rappel safely in an outdoors setting. Suitable for all beginners and those looking to improve their skills and travel safely, this class also meets the requirements to enter out canyoneering classes.

Friday Evening to Sunday Afternoon Friday 6:00 PM at the Office
The weekend begins as a meet and greet with both people and equipment in mind. Come ready to talk, share, and learn some more knot skills, terms and rappel technique before leaving for the real thing.

Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time to descend! Continuing from the Friday night session, you will hands on with the rope, build anchors, and continue your on-rope skills. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 5pm.
Typical Schedule Of a Class

Topics Practiced

• Climbing knots
• Belaying
• Rappelling
• Climbing techniques
• Anchors
• Lowering
• Hauling
• Additional tips and tricks

Climbing Skills Practice Trips are one day trips to real rock walls throughout the state. On the trip, you will see beauty from on high while running a trip as if you were on your own but with the safety of an instructor right there with you. The instructors will point out additional skill refinements, but you will be hands on all the while. Nothing we have found builds skill like actually doing it, so come practice with us!

Typically Saturdays all day. Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time practice! You will start off the morning in the field with your instructors and a couple of additional students and begin your climb. Taking turns, everyone will build anchors, climb, rappel, belay, and work on all the skills the classes taught you. By the end of the day, you will have the skills and confidence to be ready for more! Typical Schedule Of a Class