MOAB CLIMBING FIELD GUIDE
A Full-Day Trad Clinic in Moab: Move From Sport Leads to Confident Traditional and Multi‑Pitch Climbing
An 8‑hour, instructor‑led course that teaches gear placement, anchoring, mock leading and the fundamentals you need to transition from sport climbing to trad and multi‑pitch routes.
A Full-Day Trad Clinic in Moab: Move From Sport Leads to Confident Traditional and Multi‑Pitch Climbing.
Set against Moab’s sculpted sandstone, this full‑day trad climbing instruction course is tailored for climbers who already know belaying, basic movement and lowering and want to take the next step into traditional and multi‑pitch terrain. Instruction is hands‑on and progressive: you’ll review knots and communication, practice gear placement and anchors, and work toward leading pitches under instructor supervision.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑on progression from review to mock lead
The course moves beyond review—knots, communication and belaying—to practical application: racking, placing protection, building anchors and mock leading so you can experience the decision making of trad leading while an instructor monitors placements.
Learn selection, placement and maintenance of traditional gear
Instruction covers traditional gear—cams, nuts, hexes and tri‑cams—how to choose and place protection, anchor construction and when to use extensions, plus guidance on storage and life expectancy of equipment.
Confidence for multi‑pitch movement
Participants practice moving from following to leading pitches: cleaning, building anchors, and managing multi‑pitch systems with an emphasis on hazard assessment, use of topos and Leave No Trace principles.
What the day feels like
What a Day on the Rock Feels Like
The day is a deliberate arc: short classroom reviews and knot practice give way to fieldwork—racking, gear placements and anchoring drills—then to mock leads and pitch work where you string placements into a continuous system while the instructor evaluates and coaches. Expect a compact, practice‑driven pace across an eight‑hour day designed to build independent trad and multi‑pitch competence.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course is best for—and who should wait.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a full‑day course lasting approximately 8 hours and may be offered as a group or private session.
Expect guidance on personal and technical equipment—what is needed and what is not; the curriculum covers selection, proper use, storage and life expectancy of trad gear. Bring personal climbing shoes, helmet, harness and any personal gear you already use unless otherwise instructed.
The meeting location is 3653 Fort Union Boulevard, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 for pre‑trip check‑in and gear inspection.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
The course is an 8‑hour, full‑day instruction session.
What ages can participate?
Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Do I need prior climbing experience?
Yes. This course is intended for climbers who already understand belaying, climbing movement, anchoring, lowering and rappelling and who have sport‑climbing experience.
Will I learn how to place trad gear and build anchors?
Yes. The curriculum includes traditional gear placement (cams, nuts, hexes, tri‑cams), anchor construction, extensions and cleaning anchors.
Are both group and private courses available?
Yes. The offering is described as a full‑day group or private course tailored to your skill level and ability.
What is the etiquette for tipping guides?
Tipping is discretionary; guidelines in the U.S. are similar to restaurants (roughly 15–20%). If guides exceed expectations, guests are encouraged to tip—"you can always tip over, but you can never over tip."