What to Expect on a Day Trip

Day trips

Day trips are single-day cragging outings. You do not need to have a climbing partner lined up ahead of time, but you do need enough experience to safely participate outside.

Minimum requirements:

Have climbing shoes, harness and belay device. Know how to use them safely like being Top Rope certified at a gym.

If you are newer to outdoor climbing this is a great way to meet partners and get outside before much venturing to more committing multi-pitch adventures in Yosemite, Tahoe or beyond.
If you don't have all the gear and skills to build outdoor anchors you likely will meet people that do.

That said it is especially important to have the skills to assess anchors, ropes, belays, landing zones, and advice from other climbers. Or understand that there is a level of risk you are taking on by trusting others to put up anchors. Its definitely a bit of chicken and egg problem.

Cragmont creates the social base camp; each participant is responsible for deciding what is safe to trust.

Read How to think about safety on trips before heading to the crag.

How will I find the group?

Expect to meet at the posted time and location, sort out any shared gear, and make a plan with the other participants at the crag. If you can't make the meeting time make sure you know the crag the club will be at to find everyone

Do I need to be a club member to join a trip?

Nope. Trips are open to everyone, and signups are first come, first served. Club members only get priority for moving off the waitlist if a trip is full.

Will Cragmont teach me to climb outside?

No. Cragmont does not provide formal instruction. We do not test members on their climbing skills or teaching ability. Every participant brings a different mix of experience, judgment, and skills, which may or may not be what you need. Do not blindly trust someone who sounds or acts confident.

Can I learn climbing skills from people on trips?

Maybe. Many people you meet on trips have deep knowledge of climbing systems and are often happy to share what they know with newer and experienced climbers alike.

That said, it is up to you to decide whom to listen to and whom to climb with. It takes time to know whether someone is giving you sound climbing information when it comes to how to set up anchors, place gear, or evaluate a system.

One of the best ways to build that judgment is to take a class from a professional guiding company. Once you learn the basics, you will be better equipped to decide whom to trust when receiving new climbing information.

Do you know any professional climbing companies I can take classes from?

Here are a few companies our members have taken classes with and recommend:

• Vertical Pursuits Use code cragmont for $50 off classes (based around Lake Tahoe)
• Lovers Leap Guides (based around South Lake Tahoe)

Here is a local Bay Area company, we don't have first hand knowledge of them but it may be worth checking out yourself:

• SANNO Adventures

I have more questions

We would love to hear from you. Send us a message on our Get Help page.