rock self rescue students practice
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Rock Self-Rescue / AMGA Course Prep

$239 plus tax

UMA’s self-rescue rock climbing course teaches the skills to help you and your partner deal with the unexpected during a climb. Learn to escape the belay, raise and lower a climber, and other skills. UMA guides use systems and techniques taught in AMGA and other guide trainings, making this course a great primer for aspiring guides and mountain professionals, as well as recreational climbers.

Course Dates

  • Jun 13, 2026 (Saturday)
  • Aug 1, 2026 (Saturday)
  • Sep 19, 2026 (Saturday)

What Our Clients Say

  • A friend of mine along with our two 17-year-old boys did a two day introduction of backcountry skiing and avalanche awareness course. The experience with our instructor Calvin Jiricko Was exceptional. Great teacher, who can distill complicated information in a simple manner plus he brings great energy In addition, he inspired the 17-year-old boys to want to spend more time in the outdoors safely which is what I hoped for.

    Matthew M.

    February 2026 Google

  • Everything from start to finish with Utah Mountain Adventures went smoothly, thanks to our guide, Ben Farrar, who put together and executed our excellent adventure. Ben asked all the right questions to understand what we wanted from our backcountry trip, and made a plan that met our needs and was adaptive to the conditions. He kept us moving at a pace to achieve our objectives and had backup plans to do more if there was time and desire, or make changes if the conditions or terrain were not favorable. He provided just the right amount of support and tips along the way. And it was just such a pleasure to hang out with Ben! We were grateful that somehow he managed to take photos and videos along the way and shared them with us at the end of the day. 10 out of 10! (and that is saying something in a very low snow year)

    Beth P.

    February 2026 Google

  • Did a crevasse rescue training with Utah Mountain Adventures on Saturday and it was such a great experience. Our guides Billy and Robby were awesome. Learned a ton, got a lot of hands-on reps, and the instructors did a great job making everything easy to understand. Definitely feel way more prepared going into future climbs. Would 100% recommend for anyone heading out on a glacier anytime soon whether you’re totally inexperienced, or just need a memory refresh.

    Weston B.

    May 2026 Google

Ever wondered what you would do if your partner gets injured on a multi-pitch route? What if your ropes get stuck while on rappel? What if your second can’t pull past a crux, or is hanging in mid-air below a roof? What if you dropped your belay device from the top of pitch 7, and now you have to rappel? This course teaches you the skills and techniques necessary for self-rescue on the climbing route.

UMA’s Self-Rescue Rock Climbing Course Objectives
  • Escaping the belay
  • Raising a climber
  • Lowering a climber from an auto-locking device
  • Ascending a fixed rope
  • 2:1, 3:1, 5:1 and 6:1 hauling systems
  • Tandem rappels
  • Pre-rigged rappels
  • Friction hitches for multiple applications
  • Improvised belaying
  • Improvised chest harnesses
  • A variety of other useful knots and hitches
Max Student : Instructor Ratio

4 : 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
  • Knowledge of anchor-building, primary knots and hitches is helpful.
Fitness & Skill Level
  • You must be an experienced lead climber.
  • This is an intermediate to advanced course.
  • Have a mastery of the Munter Mule Overhand hitch/knot, autoblock, Prussik and/or other friction hitches.

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.

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. Canyon parking lots may require a parking fee.

How To Register

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.

Self-Rescue / AMGA Prep COURSE EQUIPMENT LIST
  • Climbing pants or shorts
  • Climbing shirt (collared T-shirt and/or hoody 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)
  • 1-2 liters of water (water bag recommended for multi-pitch)
  • Lunch and quick energy snacks
  • Sticky rubber approach shoes (or rock climbing shoes)
  • Backpack (25-45 liters)
  • Harness
  • Helmet
  • Belay/rappel device
  • Pear-shaped locking carabiner
  • Prusik loops
  • Petzl Tibloc or Micro Traxion
  • Cordelette
  • Double length sling (48″ runner)
  • 4 additional locking carabiners

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

Climbing Self-Rescue: Essential Skills, Technical Tips & Improvised Solutions by Ian Nicholson

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 old to join one of our group courses, which are catered to adults.

Do I need my own climbing rack and rescue gear?

The guide will have all the necessary gear. If you own anchor materials and rescue gear, a personal anchor system or other gear, we encourage you to bring them so you can practice with your equipment.

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.

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