Rock Camp 1 (4-Day)
Rock Camp 1 is designed for beginners or gym climbers ready to dive into the world of outdoor climbing. Over 4 immersive days in the Cottonwood Canyons, you’ll gain comfort and confidence on real rock while learning rope systems and risk management strategies and developing fundamental movement skills. With expert instruction and hands-on practice, this course lays the groundwork for independent outdoor climbing and progression to more advanced objectives. Participants should be fit, possess a desire to learn and have some mountain experience. However, rock climbing proficiency is not a prerequisite; it is an outcome.
Course Dates
- Jun 17-20, 2026 (Wednesday-Saturday)
This full-immersion, hands-on introduction to outdoor rock climbing teaches the skills you need to be a technically sound advanced single-pitch climber who can lead outdoor routes and set up and clean top rope anchors. This camp also introduces traditional (trad) multi-pitch climbing systems. All participants who lead will have a backup top rope for safety.
Rock Camp 1 Curriculum
Day 1: Introduction to Outdoor Top Rope Rock Climbing
- Learn climbing knots, belaying and lowering outside
- Understand climbing systems and how top rope anchors work
- Build equalized top rope anchors
- Become aware of outdoor climbing hazards and safety
- Use outdoor rock climbing books to prepare for your objectives for the day and for route finding
Day 2: Learn to Lead Sport Climbing
- Learn how to belay a lead climber
- Practice effective communication between the leader and the belayer
- Learn to lead climb and proper bolt clipping techniques
- Practice tethering in and cleaning a bolted anchor
- Gain the skills to lower oneself, rappel and use a friction hitch for backup
Day 3: Anchor Building, Climbing Technique & Trad Concepts
- Introduce concepts of traditional rock climbing (placing natural protection)
- Grasp best practices for trad racking
- Become proficient in building and equalizing natural anchors
- Try crack, slab and steep climbing
- Get coached on movement techniques for outdoor rock
- Learn to plan sequences and take advantage of “rests”
- Improve security and efficiency scaling various rock features
Day 4: Multi-Pitch Climb
- Bring all your skills together on a classic Wasatch multi-pitch climb
- Follow and clean a traditional route; learn how to remove and rack protection
- Belay a leader, including from a ledge
- Use a Personal Anchor System (PAS) and manage ropes on a ledge
- Descend via pre-rigged, multi-pitch rappel
Max Student : Instructor Ratio
4 : 1 – Except for the last day, which is 2 : 1
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
- Indoor rock climbing and/or bouldering experience preferred, but not required.
- No outdoor rock climbing experience required.
Skill & Fitness Level
- Beginner to intermediate indoor climbers will benefit from this camp.
- This camp is for people who have no experience, up to people who climb 5.10 indoors.
- Guests should expect to and be able to hike 10-20 minutes on easy-moderate hiking trails.
This 4-day course takes place in one of Salt Lake City’s local canyons (expect to be in the field for 8 hours each day). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (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 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 2 participants register.
Rock Camp 1 EQUIPMENT LIST
- Climbing pants or shorts
- Climbing shirt (collared T-shirt and/or sun shirt recommended)
- Houdini or other windshirt (optional)
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket
- Light puffy overcoat or other insulation layer (depending on current weather)
- Sunglasses
- Belay glasses (optional)
- Sunscreen (we recommend putting it on in advance so hands are not greasy)
- 2 liters of water (water bag recommended for multi-pitch)
- Lunch and quick energy snacks
- Approach shoes (sandals not recommended)
- Rock climbing shoes
- Backpack (25-45 liters)
- Second 15-20 liter hydration pack/backpack for multi-pitch (optional)
- Harness
- Helmet
- Belay/rappel device (ATC Guide/Reverso)
- Large pear-shaped locking carabiner
- Leather gloves for belay/rappel and climbing on cold days (optional)
- Chalk bag (optional)
- Cleaning tool for multi-pitch traditional climbing (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
Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below.
Is this an overnight camp?
UMA’s Rock 1 Camp is a 4-day course without overnight camping.
How tight should my rock shoes fit?
For learning and climbing moderate routes, get a half-size bigger shoe than the sales or rental clerk recommends. Toes do not need to be crushed inside the shoe. Nothing spoils the fun like foot pain!
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.
Do I need climbing equipment?
UMA provides helmets, harnesses, locking carabiners and belay devices to each participant if they don’t have their own. UMA has a limited selection of rock climbing shoes, but we recommend you rent shoes at a shop to ensure a proper fit. Please sign up for the items you need in your portal. The guides will bring participant equipment as well as all the group climbing gear.
Do I need my own climbing rack?
The guide will have all the necessary gear. If you own a climbing rack (quickdraws, cams and stoppers), personal anchor system or other gear, we encourage you to bring it so you can learn how to use it.
Will I be able to lead?
Yes, but a backup top rope is always included for safety.
How old do I need to be to join Rock 1 Camp?
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.
