Sport Climbing Camp (3-Day)

Over the course of this sport climbing camp, you can expect to improve onsight and redpoint grade, hone redpoint techniques (physical and mental), gain insight on selecting a climbing project and learn how to project belay.

Sport Climbing Camp Curriculum

Day 1

• Review best practices for sport leading and belaying a lead climber
• Warm up, climb and practice cleaning anchors
• Get coaching on technical and movement skills from a broadly experienced guide

Day 2

• Fear of falling and better belaying school
• Learn how to project belay and select a climbing project
• Hone redpoint techniques, physical and mental

Day 3

• Apply all your learnings from the past 2 days and get sendy with it!
• Select an appropriate project for the day and try out your recent onsight skills
• Improve your onsight and redpoint skills with direct input from your guide

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

• You must be an experienced sport climber.
• You should have some leading experience.

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 intermediate-level camp.

This 3-day, 3-night camp takes place in Maple Canyon or American Fork Canyon (expect to be in the field for 8 hours each day). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (2 liters) each day. UMA does not provide transportation.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

Exact meeting time and location will be provided to enrolled participants before the course date. Generally, it will be at the campsite in the canyon at 8 am.

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.

CAMPING

UMA typically reserves a walk-in campsite, with a table and fire pit, in Maple Canyon starting the evening before our sport-climbing camp. The UMA office or guide will give enrolled participants the site number(s) prior to the course date. Guests should bring their own tent(s), meals, stove, firewood (if desired) and cook kit.

The site will be reserved until the last day of the camp, with a checkout time that morning. Guests who prefer to stay in other accommodations are welcome to do so. In this case, please let UMA know so that we can cancel the campsite reservation.

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.

Sport Climbing Camp 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
• Approach shoes (sandals not recommended)
• Rock climbing shoes
• Backpack (25-45 liters)
• Harness
• Helmet
• Belay/rappel device (ATC Guide/Reverso)
• Large pear-shaped locking carabiner
• Chalk bag

Camping Gear

• Tent(s)
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag
• Camping stove and fuel
• Cook kit
• Dinner and breakfast food
• Firewood (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

Maple Canyon by Darren Knezek and Christian Knight
Climber’s Guide to American Fork/Rock Canyon by Bret Ruckman and Stuart Ruckman

Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below. 

Is this an overnight camp?

UMA’s Sport Climbing Camp is a 3-day course with overnight camping in Maple Canyon. UMA typically reserves a walk-in campsite, with a table and fire pit, in Maple Canyon, starting the evening before our sport-climbing camp.

The UMA office or guide will give enrolled participants the site number(s) prior to the course date. Guests should bring their own tent(s), meals, stove, cook kit and firewood (if desired).

If guests prefer to stay elsewhere, that’s fine. Just let UMA know, so that we can cancel the campsite reservations.

How tight should my rock shoes fit?

Well-fitting sport climbing shoes are appropriate for this camp.

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. 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 sport climbing rack?

The guide will have all the necessary gear. If you own a sport climbing rack, 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 the Sport Climbing 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.