ROCK CLIMBING ANCHORS 101 & 201

Instructional Rock Course Menu
- Rock Climbing Home Page
- Rock Climbing Anchors 101 & 201
- Rappelling Setups & Techniques
- Intro to Sport Climbing
- Top Managed Belay Site Setups
- Intro to Traditional (“Trad”) Climbing
- Single Pitch Self Rescue

Learning the skills and techniques for building rock climbing anchors is essential for recreational climbers interested in becoming independent climbers. You can still take these anchor courses even if you do not wish to have the responsibility of setting top rope anchors; it is important knowledge to have when out at the crag with a group of friends.

We offer two rock climbing anchor courses, the 101 and 201. The Rock Climbing Anchors 101 course focuses on constructing anchors utilizing natural features (i.e. trees, boulders, etc.) and artificial bolts (bolt & hanger). The next phase is the advanced Rock Climbing Anchors 201 course that focuses on constructing anchors utilizing artificial protection such as stoppers, cams, tri-cams and hexes.

For both courses day 1 consists of mostly ground school where climbers build and evaluate other participants’ anchors. The Instructor delivers and reviews a lot of information on day 1 and it can be overwhelming and difficult to retain and apply the information, skills and techniques by yourself. Hence, day 2, the reinforcement day!

Day 2 begins with a review that transitions into a Question, Answer & Demonstration session, which in turn progresses into the participants constructing, evaluating and climbing on their own anchors. Day 2 is all about building confidence.

Course Details - 101 & 201

Pricing: $225

3 climbers required to run the course. However, if there are less than 3 climbers, we can run the course under the below pricing schedule. The advantage is more personal time with the instructor. Since we understand that the increase in cost can be a barrier, refunds and rescheduling options are available for climbers who do not want to take the course with less than 3 climbers.

- 2 climbers - $300/climber

- 1 climber - $475

Course Length: 2 days | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Course Size: 1:6 guide to client ratio course with a maximum of 6 clients

Instructor: Instructed by a certified American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor

Special Note: The Rock Climbing Anchors 101 & 201 courses are not certification courses.

ROCK CLIMBING Anchors 101

This foundational course is designed to give climbers the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to construct efficient rock climbing anchors utilizing natural features (i.e. trees, boulders, etc.) or artificial bolts.

Topics Covered:

Basic climbing knots & hitches and their applications
Assessing potential natural anchors
Assessing artificial bolt anchors
Techniques for constructing anchors using natural features
Techniques for constructing artificial bolt anchors
Review of variety of gear used to construct anchors
Maintaining climber safety at the cliff edge
Leave No Trace principles for climbers

Recommended Experience:

Familiarity with the following climbing knots and hitches: Figure 8 follow through, figure 8 on a bight, bowline, double bowline, bowline on a bite, double fisherman, clove hitch, girth hitch, prussic, auto block, klemheist. Refer to AnimatedKnots.com for reference.
Prior outdoor rock climbing and rappelling experience
Solid belaying technique

Course Location: Ralph Stover State Park. Other locations available for private groups.

Philadelphia Top Rope Anchors 101

ROCK CLIMBING Anchors 201

The Rock Climbing 201 course is the next phase in your development as a confident, competent and well-rounded independent outdoor climber. The 201 course focuses on constructing rock climbing anchors utilizing artificial protection such as stoppers, cams, tri-cams and hexes. Participants will spend a significant amount of time practicing gear placements, evaluating each others placements and building anchors on the ground. The course is designed for anyone who climbs at or travels to climbing areas devoid of abundant natural features or bolt anchors or for climbers looking to expand their skills into the realm of traditional (“trad”) lead climbing.