Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing – Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced

Ever climbed a desert crack in Indian Creek? Fallen off the overhanging limestone slopers in Rifle Mountain Park? Been so tired you could not unlace your shoes? Stood on top of a sandstone desert tower? Worn your fingertips raw trying a climb just one more time?

CRMS climbing can take you to world class destinations while keeping you grounded in an engaging school experience. Beginners can learn the basics, intermediates can stretch their skills, and advanced climbers can push their limits. Climbing is more than simply an after school sport here. It is part of who we are and the way we live. The intensity of the connections developed climbing is applicable to all parts of the CRMS program. You work with fellow students and your teachers to be your absolute best and to help them be theirs.
Climbing provides an excellent window for teaching about life. Our rock-climbing program is designed to teach students perseverance, trust, and companionship. We use afternoons, weekends, and extended trips to teach and challenge climbers of all abilities. The afternoons are a blend of teaching specific skills and learning how those skills apply to the larger climbing picture. At each level we teach a comprehensive curriculum designed to take students to the next level in their climbing. When they finish- beginning climbers will be competent to second an experienced climber, intermediates will be self-sufficient with basic sport and trad climbing skills, and advanced climbers will be ready to multi-pitch and lead sport routes on their own.

Trips: We take the afternoon skills further afield to great climbing spots in the area around Carbondale. Our fall trips climb nearby granite, the limestone of Shelf Road, and the sandstone splitters and towers of Colorado National Monument for 4 days in late September. Our spring trips head to the deserts of Southeast Utah. Destinations include the perfect cracks of Indian Creek and the Wingate cliffs of the San Rafael Swell for a week of sun, sandstone, and shared adventure.

Rock Climbing – Competitive

When the snow flies or the rain falls, the focus of the climbing program shifts indoors. Our climbing wall was built by students and faculty with help from outside designers. The gym includes a 1500 sq. ft. top-rope and bouldering wall.  These walls serve as the site of workouts and competitions and are continually expanding. We share the wall with the Rock and Ice magazine staff and tap into their expertise to enrich our programs.

We host the Friday Night Bouldering League- a series of 5 weekend competitions just for CRMS students. These comps routinely draw 30+ student competitors and provide a lively focus at the end of a long week of classes. The school also has a climbing team that competes in the Colorado High School Climbing League. Competitions occur throughout the state. We compete in the Western Slope Region and were Regional Champions last year. After regional competitions students qualify for the State Championships. Last year CRMS finished 4th of 22 teams at State Championships.

The climbing staff has a wealth of experience and the 6 instructors share almost 80 years of climbing among them. They have instructed at NOLS, Outward Bound, and numerous other outdoor programs. Two staff are American Mountain Guides Association certified as Single Pitch Instructors. The program uses the AMGA guidelines for training and is accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.