Beginner & Family Climbing

Locations Include: Looking Glass Rock, Cedar Rock, Rumbling Bald, etc.

Timing: Typically 8am-4pm (This is flexible! Let us know when you’d like to start and end and we will do our best to make it happen.)

What to bring:

• About 2 liters of water

• Food for the day - we will likely not be near the car, so plan to pack a sack lunch that you can pack with you

• Rain jacket and appropriate warm layers - in the summer, it rains frequently. Better safe than sorry!

• Close toed hiking shoes

• Backpack - we have extra backpacks for you to borrow if you do not have your own

• Climbing gear - if you own climbing gear, feel free to bring it. If not, we can take care of all of the necessary gear!

What to expect:

Your first day of outdoor rock climbing in Pisgah National Forest is a full-day adventure — typically 6 to 8 hours — designed to give you a genuine taste of what climbing is all about. Whether you've been climbing in the gym for years or have never stepped into a harness, our AMGA-certified guides and instructors will meet you exactly where you are.

You'll meet your guide at our school in Pisgah Forest, NC, or at a designated trailhead meetup point depending on your chosen location. After a quick gear check and waiver, you'll hike in to the climbing area and spend the day on the rock. All gear is provided — just show up ready to move.

Depending on your group's goals, the day can range from a fully guided experience where you just enjoy the climb, to a more instructional session building real outdoor skills, including:

• Climbing movement & technique — footwork, body positioning, and reading the rock

• Belaying for outdoor climbing — safely managing the rope for your partner

• Gear selection — understanding what's on your harness and why

• Rappelling and lowering — getting down safely and confidently

• Rope handling — coiling, managing, and caring for the rope

• Crag etiquette — how to share the cliff and be a good climbing partner

Visiting from Asheville? Most of our beginner and family clients come from Asheville, just 35 minutes north. Read our full guide to planning a rock climbing day trip from Asheville — including drive time, what to expect, and how to choose the right program for your group.