Recreational Climbing Training & Guiding Information
Free Gear Rental with Course!
Scheduling is easy, just call (808) 383-2872 or email coordinator@climbaloha.com!
Hawaii Rocks Climbing School will provide helmet, harness, rock shoes, ropes, and all other technical gear necessary for the day’s course. You may use your own gear as long as it is in good shape*.
Please see the table below for course prices.
Climb Aloha reserves the right to cancel any class up to 24 hours prior to the course’s scheduled date.
*We reserve the right to disallow use of personal gear if it is unsafe for its intended use.
- Course Duration:
- 6 – 8 hours
- Minimum Age:
- 8 yrs old
- Cost:
- See Price List below
All technical gear provided (ie – helmet, harness, rock shoes, rope, etc)
Photographs of the entire day’s activities are included
Transportation may be available (fee applies). Ask your guide for details
Course will cover:
- Safety
- Introduction to equipment
- Basic anchor building
- Knots
- Rappelling
- Climbing techniques
- Belay safety
- Communication
Our most popular course!
This is a general introduction to rock climbing and rappelling intended for people who have little or no climbing experience. The course is taught at Makapuu Point, offering breathtaking views of Makapuu Lighthouse, Makapuu Bay, and the entire windward coast. We start off the day by demonstrating proper equipment use and addressing all safety concerns. Next, we go about things a little differently by first teaching you how to rappel safely. We have discovered over the years that this approach helps folks get more comfortable being at height and leads to more confidence during the climbing portion of the class.
After allowing you to practice the construction of rappel anchors and complete several rappels, we then move on to setting up anchors for top rope climbing. Following a demonstration of basic climbing technique and instruction on belay safety, we’ll spend the rest of the day working with you on your climbing technique as you tackle several routes of varying difficulty. You will have an opportunity to learn crack climbing, stemming a dihedral, face climbing on small edges, and climbing steeper routes where you must use careful footwork and skill to overcome the force of gravity.
We have found that this experience is a tremendous confidence builder for you and your group. After this one-day course you will feel comfortable and confident being able to safely top rope climb and rappel outside on your own. Since we began teaching this course in 2001, 100% of our participants have succeeded in both climbing and rappelling with plenty of smiles to go around. Lastly, you don’t have to be a super triathlete to succeed or have fun. Whether you are a bit out of shape, male, female, thin, tall, short, or older than some (our oldest participant was 77!), you will be stoked by the end of the day!
- Course Duration:
- 7 – 8 hours
- Minimum Age:
- 8 yrs old
- Cost:
- See Price List below
All technical gear provided (ie – helmet, harness, rock shoes, rope, etc)
Photographs of the entire day’s activities are included
Transportation may be available (fee applies). Ask your guide for details
WARNING:
Some hiking, steep ascents and descents, stream crossing, and muddy conditions exist at this location
Course will cover:
- Safety
- Review of equipment
- Intermediate anchor building
- Top belaying
- Knots!
- Rappelling
- Climbing techniques
- Introduction to lead climbing
- Belay safety
- Communication
- Basic rescue
Our intermediate climbing and rappelling course is intended for those who wish to continue after our introductory 101 course, or those with some prior experience climbing and belaying. The course is conducted at the “Jungle” canyon located on the North Shore of Oahu and nestled at the base of the Waianae Mountains. This location offers breathtaking views of the entire North Shore from Kaena Point to Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and beyond!
The day will be spent ascending the Jungle canyon from sea to summit and back down in what we call, “Jungle-neerying”. The Jungle canyon consists of a series of mostly inactive waterfalls which provide a rich, multi-pitch environment unrivaled anywhere else in the world. In addition to reviewing climbing and belaying techniques, we’ll also introduce you to lead climbing, seconding (cleaning), top belaying, and team climbing skills. Along the way you’ll have a chance to climb several top rope routes ranging from easy to difficult, and an opportunity for you to try a mock sport lead climb. After the group tops-out at the summit above the canyon, we’ll practice several rappelling techniques to get everyone back down safely.
Lastly, many North Shore weekend climbers conclude the day with cold beer and dinner in the nearby historic town of Haleiwa. So be sure to ask your guide where everyone will be heading that evening following the course.
- Course Duration:
- 7 – 8 hours
- Minimum Age:
- 8 yrs old
- Cost:
- See Price List below
All technical gear provided (ie – helmet, harness, rock shoes, rope, etc)
Photographs of the entire day’s activities are included
Transportation may be available (fee applies). Ask your guide for details
Course will cover:
- Safety
- Equipment overview
- Intermediate anchor building
- Knots!
- Top belaying
- Rappelling
- Advanced climbing techniques
- Lead climbing strategy
- Belay safety
- Communication
- Fall mitigation
- Self and partner rescue
Do you climb 5.10 on indoor walls or on top rope, but don’t feel ready to lead outdoors? Or have you been seconding outdoors but get “gripped” when leading? The secret to lead climbing is having complete confidence in your ability and skills and the correct knowledge to avoid common mistakes. Our sport lead climbing course is intended for the recreational climber that has already spent some time top roping indoors or outdoors and is looking to take their climbing skills to the next level. In actuality, only a small portion of developed climbing areas and routes can be safely and practically top roped, therefore having the knowledge and skills to safely and confidently lead climb from the ground up on bolted sport routes opens a lot of doors and is the next logical step in your progression to being a well-rounded climber.
This course will take place at Makapuu with several bolt-equipped routes ranging in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.11. In addition to working with you to refine your technique for maximum efficiency, we will cover everything you need to know to begin safe lead climbing including at least the following topics:-Lead climbing strategy & review of equipment-Lead climbing belaying including catching a falling leader-Avoiding lead climbing hazards & mistakes-How to fall safely-What to do when you reach the anchor-Top belaying & protecting the second (a following climber)-Providing an assisted belay from the top for a stuck second-How to clean the route including steep, overhanging routes-Bailing from a sport lead route-Exercises including several mock or simulated sport lead climbs. rock climbing style.
| Climbing 401 | Trad Gear Lead Climbing & Anchoring – (8 hours) – Mokuleia |
|---|---|
| Learning how to lead climb with trad gear (cams, nuts, etc.) is the ultimate freedom in rock climbing as it allows you to climb anywhere with minimal impact, utilizing natural cracks, pockets, and other features in rock where sport bolts are scarce or entirely absent – probably 99% of the climbable rock in the world and a good portion of established areas and routes. This course is intended for recreational climbers that have already have a fair amount of experience in lead climbing bolted sport routes and desire to take this next step. Understanding the correct use of trad gear and its limitations is not rocket science, but mastery of its use takes a fair amount of practice and experience to become fully proficient. We have structured this one day course with the aim that you will come away with a very clear understanding of both how and how not to climb with trad gear and how to apply the knowledge you will gain to future training on your own after the course. Stop worrying about whether that piece is going to hold you on your next whipper, take this course and know for sure! This course will take place at the Mokuleia Main Wall located on the North Shore and will cover at least the following topics and endeavors:-In-depth overview of all trad climbing equipment including cams, nuts, hexes, tricams, etc.-How to & how not to place trad gear including placement evaluation-Understanding why trad gear can fail & how to avoid it-Understanding rock limitations & differences-Trad gear lead climbing strategy-Understanding rope drag, gear walk, & how to avoid it-Understanding fall factors & how to minimize it-Mastering the efficient construction of solid, equalized, multiple point belay anchors that include a directional-How to use a cordelette & other trad climbing specific equipment-How to rack & carry your equipment-How to second on a trad climb & effectively remove placed trad gear-How to utilize natural rock features including rock horns, tunnels, chockstones, & chickenheads-Multiple exercises including anchor construction and mock trad leads followed by analysis & discussion | |
| Climbing 501 | Multipitch Climbing Skills – (8 hours) – Jungle |
| Multipitch climbing simply means to climb any route or cliff that is more than a rope length in height. This is generally meant to describe cliffs over 200’ in height, although a pitch can be of varying length, usually around 100’, but sometimes as long as a full rope length or 200’.Multipitch climbing results in both greater rewards (the view, the excitement, the freedom, and your sense of accomplishment) and increased complexities (route finding, communication, and inherent potential dangers), but overall the adventure to be had is unrivaled (that’s our biased opinion of course!)The skills and techniques used to climb multipitch vs. single pitch routes are essentially the same. However, due to the height and time involved, certain protocol including efficiency (i.e., good rope management), preparedness, and general attention to details and safety (i.e., communication) becomes even more important. This course is intended for confident lead climbers (either sport or trad) that are ready to take on this next challenge in the vertical realm. This day long course will focus on maximizing your climbing efficiency and helping you remember how to avoid silly mistakes that waste time and lead to more serious problems. Our Multipitch Climbing Skills Course takes place in the Jungle Canyon and will cover at least the following topics and endeavors:-Multipitch strategy, planning, & preparation-Multipitch climbing equipment specifics-Tips for multipitch water & food management-Routefinding tips-Multitasking-Multipitch communication-Avoiding & dealing with stuck ropes-Avoiding the top 20 silly multipitch mistakes-Rope & midpoint management-Multipitch rappelling including joining two ropes & simul-rappelling-Bailing from a multipitch route | |
| Climbing 601 | Self Rescue Skills – (8 hours) – Jungle |
| Our Self Rescue Skills course is intended for recreational climbers with some lead climbing experience under their belt and who wish to become more self-sufficient in the vertical realm. Everyone has heard the proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and this absolutely is applicable to rock climbing. The concepts of self and team member rescue are difficult enough to teach in one day, but it will take some serious time on your own to become fully proficient at implementing these skills. Our goal during this one day course is to help you understand the principles so that you can train on your own and apply them to a variety of scenarios – which you will hopefully not encounter after we explain and demonstrate how to avoid them. Our Self Rescue Skills course takes place in the Jungle Canyon and will cover at least the following topics and endeavors:-Avoiding ridiculous mistakes & mishaps, prevention, & avoidance-Understanding equipment versatility-Improvising with the equipment on hand-Assisted belays-Escaping the belay-Rappelling with an injury or injured team member-Hauling & lowering team members or equipment-Introduction to ascending with friction hitches-Understanding & dealing with hypothermia-Understanding & dealing with Suspension Trauma | |
| General Guiding | (7-8 hours) – Any Location |
| If you are just looking for an experienced guide to show you around our established crags, we are available to provide this service 7 days a week. Call or email ahead to schedule an outing. | |
| Group Size | 101 | 201 | 301 | 401 | 501 | 601 | General |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Intro) | (Inter) | (Sport) | (Trad) | (Multi-Pitch) | (Self Rescue) | Guiding | |
| 1 person | $215 | $215 | $215 | $215 | $215 | $215 | $215 |
| 1 person – Kamaʻaina | $205 | $205 | $205 | $205 | $205 | $205 | $205 |
| 2 people | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 |
| 2 people – Kamaʻaina | $130 | $130 | $130 | $130 | $130 | $130 | $130 |
| 3 people | $95 | $95 | $95 | $95 | $95 | $95 | $95 |
| 3 people – Kamaʻaina | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 |
| 4 people | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 | $85 |
| 4 people – Kamaʻaina | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| 5-10 people | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| 5-10 people – Kamaʻaina | $65 | $65 | $65 | $65 | $65 | $65 | $65 |
* Rates are per person per class per day
** Special rates available to student groups and non-profit organizations for multi-day training or lessons, please inquire
*** Kamaʻaina = Student, military, or Hawaii resident (must show applicable ID card for consideration)
Taking a group class is the most economical way to get the training you desire. If you’re interested in a particular group training, but don’t have any willing friends, no problem, we’ll put you on a list and contact you as soon as group dates become available.
Call (808) 383-2872 or email coordinator@climbaloha.com today!
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