Gym to Crag

Two climbers ascending a route at Smith Rock State Park

Transition to Outdoor Sport Climbing & Take your Climbing Outside!

Discover the best outdoor rock climbing at Smith Rock with a certified guide

Looking to learn how to rock climb outdoors? Build on the skills learned and practiced indoors at the climbing gym and explore climbing outdoors with confidence at Chockstone Climbing Guides. We will cover the considerations and essential skills of outdoor rock climbing and adapt to the needs of the outside crag. This course is also a great refresher for people who need to brush up on their outdoor climbing skills. Whether you’re progressing toward becoming an independent outdoor climber or you want to be comfortable assessing safety and becoming a strong climbing partner, this course is for you.
Two climbers learning to belay and lead climb at Smith Rock State Park

Gym to Crag Course Curriculum Highlights

  • Learn to identify, assess, and mitigate environmental risk/hazards.
  • Adapt climbing movement and route finding on natural rock.
  • Outdoor belay, lead belay techniques, and considerations/challenges.
  • Sport climbing anchors: Building solid and equalized anchors and cleaning techniques.
  • Common climbing knots and their various applications.
  • Learn how to use common sport and trad climbing belay devices like ATC (Air Traffic Controller) and GriGri and how they apply to different circumstances.
  • Rope management while on lead and for the lead belay.
  • Climb like a pro using guidebooks, apps, climbing etiquette, and local standards and ethics.

2024 Course Dates

April 20th, May 24th, June 14th, July 17, July 27, August 10th, September 13

Courses are $180 per person, per day, a minimum of two people required to run a course. Sign up for one day or for two and make it a weekend.

If the listed course dates don’t work with your schedule, all courses can be arranged as a private day trip, customized to your needs, on the day you choose.
Private Guided Day Trips

Check out our other instructional courses to take your climbing skills to the next level!
Chockstone Climbing Logo
Our AMGA Accreditation helps assure our clients receive the highest professional standards in our industry.
Our AMGA Accreditation helps assure our clients receive the highest professional standards in our industry.