Grand Teton Prep
This full-day course covers the fundamentals, including equipment, tie-ins and knots, rope management, footwork and movement, and the all-important transitions during multi-pitch climbs. Instruction includes multi-pitch alpine rock climbing, belaying from a ledge, overhanging rappels and other skills required for summiting the Grand Teton or similar routes.
Course Dates
- Jun 6, 2026 (Saturday)
- Jul 11, 2026 (Saturday)
Climbing the world-famous Grand Teton is a great mountaineering experience, and its moderate technical difficulty makes it possible for most fit and athletic people. However, certain skills are essential, and the Wasatch Mountains provide an excellent training venue.
UMA is closely associated with Exum and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides in Wyoming, and many of our guides work at both companies. The instructor for this course will be an experienced Teton guide.
Grand Teton Prep Course Objectives
- Learn or review the fundamentals of climbing equipment
- Tie-ins and knots
- Rope management
- Footwork and movement
- Transitions during multi-pitch climbs
- Multi-pitch alpine rock climbing
- Belaying from a ledge
- Overhanging rappels
Max Student : Instructor Ratio
4 : 1
Additional courses and climbs for Grand Teton prep
Summiting the Grand Teton safely without a professional guide requires a considerable amount of mountain experience. We recommend the following programs to hone your skills.
Course dates don’t fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.
Course Prerequisites
- No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary.
Fitness & Skill Level
- You must be able to easily hike 1 mile on variable, uneven terrain (at 7,000′-10,000′ elevation) from the trailhead to access rock climbing crags.
- This is an introductory course.
This full-day course takes place in one of Salt Lake City’s local canyons (expect to be in the field for 8 hours). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.
SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION
The usual meeting time and place are 8 am at the Big Cottonwood Park & Ride lot, but these are subject to change. Exact meeting times and locations will be provided to registered guests before the course date.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you directly by email to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 3 participants register.
GRAND TETON PREP COURSE EQUIPMENT LIST
- Comfortable and flexible pants or shorts, and a shirt
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket
- Light puffy overcoat and or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- 1-2 liters of water (water bag recommended for multi-pitch)
- Lunch and quick energy snacks
- Sticky rubber approach shoes (no sandals) or hiking shoes and rock shoes
- Day pack (~25-45 liters)
- Harness
- Belay device
- Helmet
Please see our Rock Climbing Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.
Recommended Guidebooks
Rock Climbing the Wasatch Range by Stuart and Bret Ruckman
A Climber’s Guide to the Teton Range by Leigh N. Ortenburger and Reynold G. Jackson
Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below.
How old do I need to be to climb?
Students must be at least 14 years of age to join a group course. For custom guiding and instruction, there is no restriction.
Should I wear pants or shorts?
Shorts are nicer for warm days, but long pants will protect your legs from abrasive rock. If shorts are preferred, they should be long enough to go under the leg loops of the harness.
Should I use rock climbing shoes or approach shoes?
The Grand Teton climb requires a mix of hiking, scrambling and climbing; therefore, well-fitting sticky rubber approach shoes rather than tight-fitting rock climbing shoes are standard. If you do not have sticky rubber approach shoes for this course, regular hiking shoes, along with rock climbing shoes, will suffice.
Can I lead?
The guide will be leading all pitches in our Grand Teton Prep Course. In this course, you will be learning to follow multi-pitch climbs, belay a follower and remove cams and nuts. You’ll also learn rope management, how to build and break down natural protection anchors and practice overhanging rappels. If you’re looking to lead climb, we teach learn-to-lead courses; please check out Rock 2, Rock 3 and Trad Series: Leading Trad.
Will this class alone prepare me to lead a Grand Teton climb?
Climbing the Grand Teton safely without a professional guide requires a considerable amount of mountain experience. We recommend the following programs to hone your skills:
- Trad Series: Leading Trad
- Mt. Superior South Ridge Climb
- Mt. Olympus West Slabs Climb
- Alpine Rock Camp
Where do I meet my guide?
The guide will arrange a specific meeting location and time with you. Most commonly, this location is the Big Cottonwood Canyon Park & Ride lot.
