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Joshua Tree rock climbing guides and instruction - Joshua Tree Climbing Camps - Joshua Tree Climbing Instruction |
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Joshua Tree is a true wonderland of rocks. There is truly something for everyone in this climbing mecca. Climbs are typically only a short walk from the car and if we're lucky, world class lines can be done right out of the campsites! Get in depth instruction from our qualified instructors, or just have a day out playing on the rocks with one of our AMGA certified guides. Either way you go, you'll have a blast at one of our camps or courses.
 We offer Beginner, Intermediate and Advance/Technical Climbing Clinics ranging from three, five and seven days in length. With over 22 years of climbing skills and training specifically in the Southwest, and a perfect safety record have made us the leader in rock climbing instruction.
With more than 7,000 routes within Joshua Tree National Park and on wonderfully sticky, rarely crumbly granite have earned J-Tree's reputation as one of the world's premier climbing spots is known worldwide. The fact that it's climbable year-round (okay, minus July, August and September which are way too hot to enjoy climbing) is a sizable bonus, not to mention the pristine, high-desert views that reward you at the top of each route.
Since routes are generally short, you'll log quite a few climbs in a single day. It's a great opportunity to mix it up—most areas offer enough variety that you can practice every skill you know. If you've never climbed before, this is definitely the place to start. With our experienced JT guides, you'll learn what Joshua Tree is all about.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA INFO:
• Known for its unique beauty, desert wild flowers, easy access, and varied rock climbing, Joshua Tree National Park has more than 7,000 rock climbs of every rating. For an instructor or guide, contact Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School.
• The wildflowers at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert are a top attraction. Depending on rainfall and temperatures, the blooms are usually out in late March and April. Watch for Desert Lily, Dune Primrose, Western Jimsonweed, and Desert Star, among others.
• Bolting in wilderness is currently prohibited. A permit system is being developed for installing new bolts in wilderness with the goal of minimizing impact.
• From Hidden Valley Campground, check out the slabs/face climbs of the Echo Rocks area and the maze of climbs around Barker Dam. Don’t miss Saddle Rock, one of the largest formations in the Park.
The rock itself is quartz monzonite and tends to be fairly solid, but the less traveled and/or newer routes can have the dreaded "ball bearings underfoot syndrome" making those friction moves a tad more dicey. The best rock sports a coating of "desert varnish" or patina which darkens and solidifies the rock appreciably.
The Best Climbing Areas
 Wonderland of Rocks
A dense boulder field covering more than nine square miles, the Wonderland has more routes than any other part of the park. You can find just about everything here, from easy bouldering to gnarly lead climbs. Especially noteworthy is the overhanging north face of Timbuktu Towers, with routes rated up to 5.13d.
Real Hidden Valley
Just down the road from the Hidden Valley Campground is the area known to climbers as "Real" Hidden Valley. Its most-visited site is Sports Challenge Rock, where you can find a broad range of top-rope climbs, as well as some great places to practice leading. For bouldering, try Turtle Rock.
Hall of Horrors
Contrary to its name, this area is just as suited to beginners as it is to veteran thrill-seekers. The chimney on the west face is a great confidence builder for anyone just starting out. More horrific are the face routes on the east side of the west wall.
Hemingway Buttress
Crack-climbing fans love the wrinkled east face of this rock, especially since it has enough routes spread across its wide surface to keep anyone from having to wait in line for a decent climb. White Lightning (5.7) is a good place to start. Then mix it up with a combination face/crack climb at Sow Sickle (5.11d).
Indian Rock
When icy winter winds make the higher-elevation climbing areas too crisp for comfort, Indian Rock offers a comfy retreat. This is the easiest climbing area to access from nearby towns, so you'll have to do some hiking to find any solitude. Morbid Mound, down a short path from the Indian Cove Campground, offers a good mix for novice climbers.
Guidebooks
There's no shortage of books on climbing J-Tree. A great one to start with is So Cal Select, which details enough routes to keep you busy for quite some time. For bouldering, try Joshua Tree Bouldering or Southern California Bouldering Guide. An excellent option for sport climbers is Joshua Tree Sport Climbs.
Below is a condensed outline of what our courses include:
Besides the superior instruction you'll receive - Our campouts and meals are hard to beat!
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january
2013 |
..beginner – 14 - 16
..intermediate – 17 - 19
..technical – n/a
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july
2013
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..beginner – n/a
..intermediate – n/a
..technical – n/a
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february
2013 |
..beginner – 11 - 13
..intermediate – 21 - 25
..technical – 24 - 30
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august
2013
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..beginner – n/a
..intermediate – n/a
..technical – n/a
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march
2013 |
..beginner – 3 - 5
..intermediate – 14 - 18
..technical – 19 - 26
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september
2013
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..beginner – n/a
..intermediate – n/a
..technical – n/a
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april
2013 |
..beginner – 7 - 9
..intermediate – 17 - 21
..technical – 22 - 28
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october
2013
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..beginner – 6 - 8
..intermediate – 17 - 21
..technical – 22 - 28
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may
2013 |
..beginner – 5 - 7
..intermediate – 14 - 20
..technical – 21 - 27
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november
2013
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..beginner – 3 - 5
..intermediate – 20 - 24
..technical – 25 - 31
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june
2013
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..beginner – 2 - 4
..intermediate – n/a
..technical – n/a
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december
2013
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..beginner – 2 - 4
..intermediate – n/a
..technical – n/a
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To sign up for our canyoneer 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: *Summer courses start at 6:00 a.m. - October thru April Intermediate courses start at 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 depending upon weather at the designated pick-up point. Call us the day before your course starts to verify start time. Bring your own snacks, lunch, water, sunblock and wear appropriate clothing. Camera (disposable), writing pad and pen are recommended.
*Summer courses - May 1 thru September 30.
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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 Arizona Climbing and Adventure School is a unique opportunity for individuals to experience the spirit, courage and exploration of the Southwest. It is an initiation into the unexpected, a chance to accomplish something very exciting and to discover strengths you never knew you had. Additionally, the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School provides education in wilderness skills and working effectively with others.
To achieve a high learning curve among our students we keep our groups small in size. We consider the impact on the safety and flexibility of the group above all. Everyone knows that large groups and large student-to-instructor ratios are what make money for a guide service. But we feel that groups and ratios compromise the safety, enjoyment and success of individual participants. Better for you and better for us. Having smaller groups also means you receive more attention and guidance from our professionals when you need it the most.
Depending on the course, the skills you must learn in order to safely and ecologically negotiate the terrain, climate and altitude in which our courses are offered include:
• safety skills for travel through rigorous terrain.
• how to pack a backpack.
• physical fitness
• competence with map and compass, gps, route selection, navigation.
• rope use and knot tying, bowline, water knot, square knot, clove hitch, half hitch, figure eight
• basic first aid so that every student can handle reasonable emergencies and recognizes and aid in treating illness related to altitude, hypothermia, fatigue.
• rescue preparedness
• rock climbing, belaying, backpacking, canyoneering, rappelling, anchors.
• campcraft including minimum impact camping, ecological considerations, wilderness cooking, food selection and nutrition.
• water purification, hygiene and sanitation.
• care of equipment, ropes, clothing, packs, etc.
• environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace (LNT) techniques.
• safety from storms, flash floods and lightning.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."
-Samuel Langhorne Clemens
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