Rock 3 - Sport Leading & Advanced Rock Movement
UMA rock climbing guides with years of experience will help you build confidence leading steeper and higher grade sport climbs to advance your technique on vertical and overhanging rock. You will practice leader falls and catching lead falls, and master sport climbing movements such as back stepping, drop knees, flags and cross-throughs. This course is for participants who have gained skills taught in Rock 1 and Rock 2.
Course Dates
- Jun 13, 2026 (Saturday)
- Aug 29, 2026 (Saturday)
Have you got the basics of outdoor climbing down and want to take it to the next level? In this course, you’ll learn nuanced movement (including backstepping, drop knees, flags and cross-throughs), how to vary your belay with the situation, how to use stick clips and belay glasses, what clipping in direct is, how to fall safely and how to ascend a rope after a fall. This course will also incorporate the fear of falling. Fear of falling is what holds most climbers back. This class will show you that it’s okay to let go when the fall is a clean one, and that when you climb without a fear of falling, you will climb far better.
ROCK 3 Course Objectives
- Hone efficient movement patterns for vertical and steep rock
- Learn how to vary your belay given the situation
- Sport climbing gear 101: understand how to get the most out of your sport climbing-specific gear
- Practice leader-falls and catching lead falls in a safe environment
- Build confidence leading sport climbs
- Advance your sport climbing ability and push to the next grade in lead climbing
- Gain best practices for lowering and rappelling using a friction hitch
Max Student : Instructor Ratio
4 : 1
NEXT STEPS IN OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING PROGRESSION
Once you have completed this course and would like to continue your progression to become an independent climber, consider our Trad Climbing Series.
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
- Possess the practical knowledge and skills described in our Rock 1 – Intro to Outdoor Climbing and Rock 2 – Anchors, Rappelling & Intro to Leading courses.
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 course is for intermediate and advanced climbers with sport climbing and some leading experience..
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 uma@utahmountainadventures.com
UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 3 participants register.
Rock 3 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 to 2 liters of water (water bag recommended for multi-pitch)
- Lunch and quick energy snacks
- Approach shoes (no sandals)
- Day pack (~25-45 liters)
- Harness
- Belay device
- Helmet
- Rock climbing shoes
- Personal climbing equipment (optional)
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 Granite Guide: Ferguson to Lone Peak by Nikki Smith, Andrew Burr and Tyler Philips
Maple Canyon by Darren Knezek and Christian Knight
Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below.
Will I be able to lead?
Yes, but a backup top rope is always included for safety.
How tight should my rock shoes fit?
For Rock 3, a well-fitting sport climbing shoe is appropriate.
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.
How old do I need to be to join Rock 3?
Students must be at least 14 years old to join one of our group courses, which are catered to adults. We offer Youth Camps for youth 17 and under, which are split into 3 age groups: Kids Camps (ages 6-8), Tween Camps (ages 9-12) and Teen Camps (ages 13-17).
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.
