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 Our Beginner I & II and Indoor to Real Rock courses are held at the north McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale. Classes are kept small in size (6 or less students per instructor) and fill quickly.
 Feel the excitement and adrenaline rush of your first outdoor rock climb! If you've never climbed before or have limited experience, this is the course for you. Curriculum begins with our specialized "ground school", in which we focus on the basics.
This includes:
..• Balance
..• Weight distribution
..• Energy conservation
..• Choreographing moves
..• Bouldering concepts
These confidence-building exercises in balance, technique and trust are key to your individual progress and enjoyment of rock climbing. Our instruction also includes detailed explanations on:
..• Equipment - proper use & care
..• Knots
..• Safety protocols
..• Hands-on belaying
..• Communication signals
..• Climbing terminology
.
The remainder of the day you are on top-rope protected climbs of up to 150 feet on high angled rock faces. Superior and personalized climbing instruction makes for a quality learning experience. A one-day course. We also suggest taking our beginner II, intermediate climbing and anchors courses before you set out on your own. All climbing equipment is included (climbing shoes, harness, locking carabiners, ropes, crash pad, etc.- we rent daypacks if needed).
.......
.......Cost: $125 (per person)
.......Class size: 2 - 6 students to 1 instructor
.......Available only on Thursdays and Saturdays
.......See schedule below for dates
.......Private and group rates and instruction is also available
.......Discounts: REI* Members - $10 Off
.......SPECIAL: Beginner I Course held on Thursdays - $85!*
.......Bring a friend and get $10 Off!**
 A vital and essential part of the overall rock climbing experience.
After a brief review of the basic fundamentals, it's back to the rock for some top-rope protected climbing and rappelling. Done right, rappelling is a fantastic experience. Part of the initial thrill is fear, at least for most people. ACAS gives the student the opportunity to feel the excitement while at the same time learning and understanding the techniques involved in rappelling.
We'll also focus on an assortment of climbing techniques. We'll cover the basic top rope anchoring system concepts - including artificial and natural anchor placements.
As you continue to refine the basics, you'll encounter new and varied climbing opportunities and be exposed to more challenging rock. We also suggest taking our intermediate climbing and anchors courses before you set out on your own. This is a one-day course. All climbing equipment is included (climbing shoes, harness, locking carabiners, ropes, crash pad, etc. - we rent daypacks if needed).
.......
......Cost: $125 (per person)
......Class size: 2 - 6 students to 1 instructor
......Available only on Fridays or Sundays
......See schedule below for dates
......Private and group instruction is also available
......Discounts: REI* Members - $10 Off
......SPECIAL: Beginner II Course held on Fridays - $85!*
......Bring a friend and get $10 Off!**
 A combined two-day climbing course package with all of the above instruction - plus! An ideal learning experience for the hiker, backpacker and adventure racer who wants to take it to the next step! Curriculum begins with our specialized "ground school", in which we focus on the basics.
This includes; balance, weight distribution, energy conservation, choreographing individual moves and bouldering concepts. This confidence-building exercise in balance, technique and trust are key to your individual progress and enjoyment of rock climbing. Our instruction also includes detailed explanations on equipment and its proper use and care, knots, safety protocols, hands-on belaying, communication signals and terminology.
We'll cover rappelling and the basic top rope anchoring system concepts - including artificial and natural anchor placements. As you continue to refine the basics, you'll encounter new and varied climbing opportunities and be exposed to more challenging rock. A 2-day course. We also suggest taking our intermediate climbing and anchors courses before you set out on your own. All climbing equipment is included (climbing shoes, harness, locking carabiners, ropes, crash pad, etc.- we rent daypacks if needed).
.......
......Cost: $230* (per person) SAVE $20
......Cost: $195* (per person) (1-day condensed course)
......(Group rates available)
......Class size: 2 - 6 students to 1 instructor.
......See schedule below for dates
......Private and group instruction is also available
......Discounts: REI* Members - $10 Off
......SPECIAL: Beginner I & II Course held on Thursdays
......and Fridays - $170!*
......Bring a friend and get $10 Off!**
NOTE:
ACAS also has overnight camping packages available which include camping equipment, meals, campfires*, coyotes and lots of crazy climbing stories.
......Cost: $65 (per night per person)
......Available on most Beginner I & II Combo Courses.
 Designed for the indoor rock gym climber who is looking to expand his or her climbing experience. This course is designed for the entry to mid-level indoor climber in need of a solid foundation of skills from belaying to top rope anchoring methods, and the many variations of these systems.
Following this comprehensive course and evaluation, climbers will be comfortable setting up their own top roped climbs without expert supervision. The day will be packed with instruction, practical application, full systems reviews, and climbing.
Learn how indoor and outdoor climbing compliment each other and how real rock adds a third dimension to climbing. We also suggest taking our intermediate climbing and anchors courses before you set out on your own. All climbing equipment is included (climbing shoes, harness, locking carabiners, ropes, crash pad, etc. - we rent daypacks if needed). This is a one-day course for the experienced indoor climber only.
.......
.......Cost: $155 (per person)
.......(Group rates available)
.......Class size: 2 - 4 students to 1 instructor
.......See schedule below for dates
.......Private and group rates and instruction is available
.......Discounts: REI* Members - $10 Off
.......SPECIAL: Indoor/Real Rock Course's held on
.......Thursdays - $135!*
.......Bring a friend and get $15 Off!**
 This is our Beginner I course (see description above) which also involves cleaning up trash in the Preserve at a discounted rate. All proceeds go to the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust. All climbing equipment is included (climbing shoes, harness, locking carabiners, ropes, crash pad, garbage bags, etc.).
This is a one-day course.
.......
.......Cost: $75 (per person)
.......Class size: 8 students to 2 instructors
.......Dates: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Apr. 15, Oct. 26, 2007
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 In a world of growing adventure sports, people are entering the sport of climbing without fully comprehending its true dangers. Climbing has begun to take on a Hollywood image, separating it from a need for practice and instruction, which leads us to our main point – Instruction is required!
In the past, climbers developed their skills through years of mentoring and exposure to a variety of environments and risks. Today, due to the proliferation of indoor artificial climbing walls, the demographics of climbing are changing. New climbers now rapidly develop the technical expertise to ascend difficult climbs through intensive indoor training. However, they often lack the breadth of experience that builds a foundation to deal with outdoor climbing environments such as the variety of natural rock climbing surfaces, heights (most climbing walls do not exceed 20 to 40 feet in height), natural anchor set-ups, wildlife and weather.
So DON'T learn from a friend – call us for the most comprehensive, experienced and personalized rock climbing instruction in the Southwest!
The majority of our staff have years of experience, and are certified by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound Wilderness School and American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).
Articles and news stories featuring the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School have appeared in The Arizona Republic newspaper, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Frontdoors magazine, National Geographic Adventure magazine, and AAA Highroads magazine. FOX network television (Channel 10 - Phoenix) and CBS KPHO televison (Channel 5 - Phoenix).
Jayson Ohman
Mark Bratlie
AMGA Certified
Top Rope Site Manager
and Rock Climbing Instructor
The activities described on this web site carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing is inherently dangerous. The owners and staff of the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, are knowledgeable about the risks involved, and are willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks.
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...recommended reading for the courses above:
• How to Rock Climb! (How To Climb Series) by John Long
• How to Climb: Advanced Rock Climbing by John Long
These books contain a wealth of detail and information on rock climbing and much space is devoted to climbing techniques and strategies for the beginner rock climber.
Depending on the season and the course, in Spring and Summer you need only bring shorts, t-shirt (backup sweatshirt), cap, daypack, running shoes and or light hiking boots, fastener if you wear glasses, sunblock, disposable camera and personal items. For Fall and Winter you need to bring loose fitting pants or lycra tights, daypack, polartec type jacket, cap, and windbreaker. Bring your lunch, snacks, plenty of water, and a daypack (we can also rent you a daypack for $5 per person per day) to keep items together. If you have your own gear (shoes, harness, atc, etc.) - bring them. There are no restroom facilities at the climbing site.
...NOTE:
...*Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI).
......REI members must show proof of membership to receive discounts.
...**Bring A Friend (BAF) discounts apply to all weekend courses only
...*Thursday and/or Friday Course Specials - BAF and REI discounts do not apply
Our instructors are all active climbers, kayakers and backpackers.
Our staff are among the best in the Southwest.
They become full instructors after one year of rigorous training, testing and field work during which they learn ACAS's safety procedures, curriculum, process, technical standards, interpersonal/educational methods, and low impact backcountry techniques.
The majority are former instructors or graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and/or Outward Bound School! Their years of climbing and teaching have made them unequalled in safety and experience. Climbing and wilderness adventures are more than our business, it's our way of life!
 Welcome to Arizona!
Arizona is purported to have more exposed rock than any other state in the US. The bad news is that it isn't ALL climbable. The good news is that a BUNCH of it is great for pulling on! Granite, dacite, basalt, limestone, gneiss, monzonite, welded tuff, and a thousand other kinds of the hard stuff.
From the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Paradise Forks in the north, to the crags of Granite Mountain, the Superstitions, and Queen Creek, and finally south to Mount Lemmon and Cochise Stronghold, we have it all! Cracks of all sizes, wide, thin, edges, pockets, jugs, sport, trad, bouldering, big walls, no approach, big hike...whatever you're psyched about! The one thing we're a little short on in most areas is crowds, but that's a good thing.
We also have the best year 'round climbing possibilities in the country with crags at just about every elevation imaginable. Between that and the large percentage of sunny days, there ain't a whole lot more you could ask for!
 
There are currently 6689 potential climbing partners in rockclimbing.com's Climbing Partner database!
While you do not have to join the list, they do require that you register and log in before you can search for a partner. There are others who probably want to climb with you so be nice, add yourself!
Sign in here!
 health benefits of climbing:
For a rock climber, reaching the top is not the point.
Like rearing children, rock climbing is the journey that matters most if you are climbing for fitness.
Whether their journey lasts two hours or two days, rock climbers can benefit from a mental workout as well as a physical one, according to competitive climber Michelle Hurni, president of the Colorado-based American Sport Climbers Federation (ASCF). Physically, rock climbing burns fat while strengthening muscles if pursued at a vigorous pace. Mentally, rock climbers exercise their ability to focus fully on a single task, an increasingly rare occurrence in this age of multitasking.
Climbers also get practice confronting their fears- the fear of heights, the fear of falling, the fear of equipment failure. Ultimately, the sport can improve your self-confidence - if you learn how to climb safely, that is.
how many calories will rock climbing burn?
Ascending a natural rock wall burns up to 700 calories an hour if you weigh 140 pounds or up to 974 calories an hour if you weigh 190 pounds. Rock-climbing sessions tend to last at least six or seven hours.
further advantages:
In addition to offering an anaerobic and aerobic workout, rock climbing exercises almost every muscle group, according to Hurni of the ASCF. Rock climbing two or more times a week improves your strength, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and mental toughness.
click here for more info
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To sign up for a course call or email us to check availability. If a course is open click on the On-line Application Form or go to our application and map (meeting point) site, print out both the Application (PDF), Map and Waiver. Fill out the application and fax or mail it to us (don't fax the waiver, just bring it the day of your course).
 Note: September thru April Beginner courses start at 8:30 a.m. at the designated pick-up point. Call us the day before your course starts to verify. Bring your own snacks, lunch, water, sunblock and wear appropriate clothing. Camera (disposable), writing pad and pen are recommended.
Please call us if the dates below do not work with your schedule
september
2006 |
..beginner I – 2, 9, 14, 23, 28, 30
..beginner II – 10, 15, 24
..indoor to real rock – 16
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march
2007
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..beginner I – 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22
..beginner II – 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18
..indoor to real rock – 17
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october
2006 |
..beginner I – 5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 28
..beginner II – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
..indoor to real rock – 13
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april
2007
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..beginner I – 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21
..beginner II – 6, 8, 13, 15, 22
..indoor to real rock – 28
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november
2006 |
..beginner I – 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18
..beginner II – 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19
..indoor to real rock – 25
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may
2007
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..beginner I – 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19
..beginner II – 4, 6 11, 13, 18, 20
..indoor to real rock – 26
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december
2006 |
..beginner I – 2, 7, 9, 14, 16
..beginner II – 3, 10, 15, 17
..indoor to real rock – 15
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june
2007
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..beginner I – 2, 9, 16
..beginner II – 1, 3, 8, 10
..indoor to real rock – 23
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january
2007 |
..beginner I – 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 27
..beginner II – 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21
..indoor to real rock – 20
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july
2007
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..beginner I – 5, 7, 12, 14
..beginner II – 6, 8, 13, 15
..indoor to real rock – 21
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february
2007
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..beginner I – 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 22
..beginner II – 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18
..indoor to real rock – 17
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august
2007
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..beginner I – 2, 4, 9, 11
..beginner II – 3, 5, 10, 12
..indoor to real rock – 18
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course cancellations
While it is unlikely, if the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School cancels a course due to insufficient reservations or conditions beyond our control (weather, etc.); alternate dates or refunds will be given as preferred. If you cancel within 14 days prior to your session, rescheduling your course can be expected. There are no refunds on gift certificates. If you fail to show at the designated meeting place at the appointed time you will be charged for the course - there are no exceptions. If you would like to reschedule within 48-hours of the course's starting date, you may do so. To receive a full monetary refund (minus a 20% handling fee), 14 days notice is required (expect a refund within 2 billing cycles or 60-days of your course date). You may also want to purchase travel insurance due to cancellations – click here for more information.
liability
Although we spare no effort to assure a safe program, we can assume no responsibility for your safety or loss of personal equipment. In a sport of this nature an element of risk is inherent and beyond human control. A signed release (waiver) will be required of all participants. A parent or guardian release is required for students under the age of 18. These can be obtained in advance by contacting our office or downloading from our website.
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