Beginner Rock Climbing

Lead by Anna Marie Alewine from Pisgah Climbing School

You’re stronger than you think you are. Challenge yourself mentally and physically with a day outdoors learning the essentials of rock climbing. Step outside your comfort zone surrounded by your new besties cheering you on.

Lead by our friends at Pisgah Climbing School.

Unless stated otherwise, these are beginner-friendly trips meant for those who are ready to challenge themselves. All gear is provided, you just need to bring your adventurous spirit. Pisgah Climbing School’s guides are some of the highest trained and experienced instructors in the region so you will not only have an experience of a lifetime, you’ll walk away learning some new skills!

Rock Climbing

You know you’ve wanted to try it…now’s the time! Our trips with Pisgah Climbing School are beginner-friendly and will leave you feeling empowered and accomplished! Many women are deterred from climbing as we think we don’t have enough upper body strength, but you’ll be surprised how your legs really do a lot of the work! You will learn how essential your feet and balance are for maneuvering up a vertical face and we know you’ll be surprised at how much stronger you really are. Surrounded by an awesome group of women cheering you on, you’ll learn the fundamental gear, safety communications, belay techniques, and standard movements to work your way up the rock!

Why should I try rock climbing?

  1. Empowering - after a day of challenging yourself, physically and mentally, you leave feeling strong and empowered!

  2. Full Body workout - A common misconception that deters women from climbing is that it is all upper body strength. You’ll be surprised at how much you rely on your leg strength and balance to climb vertically. Yes, you’re arms will get a workout…but so will your entire body!

  3. New Adventure - Learning climbing skills opens an entirely new way to explore the outdoors. Not every climb needs to be an adrenaline-pumping trip. Learning how to safely ascend rock faces gives you the opportunity to take in views you’ll never see from the ground. If you think the fall leaves are pretty on the trail, wait till you see them from above!

  4. Social Activity - Our trips are always the most fun because of how supportive the women are in encouraging you to push your comfort zones and try new things. You’ll meet new hiking buddies or find someone who lives nearby to continue your climbing skills at a nearby gym.

  5. Affordable - Our trips with Pisgah Climbing School offer an affordable way to try out and practice rock climbing. With group trips, we are able to give solo-adventurers the chance to get top-tier instruction from one of the highest trained and accredited climbing schools in the region in a more accessible way.

Please thoroughly check your schedule before committing to this trip. Cancellations can be difficult for us to fill the closer we get to the trip day.
 
Please review and consider the following before registering:

  • 7:45am Start Time

  • Driving directions and timeframe

  • Overnight Accommodations (if needed)

  • Your own personal calendar to make sure you do not already have plans

Late arrivals are difficult to coordinate with little to no phone reception and would affect everyone else’s climb time, so the group will leave the trailhead no later than 8:15am. Significant late arrivals will count as no-shows. We cannot issue refunds for cancellations within the week of the event, significantly late arrivals, or no-shows.

 

Upcoming Trips

Your Instructor: Anna Marie Alewine

Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Avalanche Level 1, SPRAT Level 1, Leave No Trace Trainer

Anna Marie grew up in the foothills of South Carolina. She had her first experience rock climbing in the Linville Gorge during her freshman year at Montreat College. While studying Outdoor Education, she worked as a backpacking guide, ropes course facilitator, and rock wall manager where she honed her passion for leading people in outdoor pursuits.

Anna Marie has climbed not only in the beautiful granite walls of North Carolina, but also in the sandstone cliffs of Kentucky, the deep canyons of New Mexico, the jagged peaks of Colorado, the rugged peaks of the Tetons, and the South American range of Patagonia. After graduating from college, she received her Single Pitch Instructor certification in Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, AK. Since then she continues to perfect her craft as a professional climbing instructor. When she is not climbing, she spends her time trail running, doing yoga, or drinking obsessive amounts of coffee.

Instagram: @annamariea2

 

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  • I have no experience, can I do this?

    Yes! Unless stated otherwise, our trips and classes are catered to beginners. Your instructor will be there to teach and guide you the entire time.

    I’m worried about my weight, can your gear hold me?

    Climbing ropes and equipment are capable of holding several humans at once! Even if you fall, the gear and systems used are meant to withstand heavy and strong impact. On top of using the best equipment, you go through numerous safety checks before ever stepping off the ground. Your instructors check and maintain their equipment regularly. Feel free to reach out with your concerns though!

    I’m recovering from a surgery/injury or have a physical limitation, can I do this?

    This is situational but first starts off with getting clearance from your physician. You can expect to need full use and rotation/movement of your shoulders and knees, however, our instructors have lead adaptive climbing trips before so please reach out and let us know a little bit more about your limitations. (hello@wildforces.org) If you have limited mobility in your upper body, Rappelling might be a great option for you!

    Can I bring my daughter?

    Wild Forces was created to offer outdoor classes and community for adult women. With that said, we prefer guests to be 16 or older. Under 18 will need adult supervision. We want our trips to be a welcoming space for women to unwind, focus on themselves, and their goals and sometimes that means leaving the kiddos behind. We do occasionally offer classes and trips for younger ladies (even co-ed classes!), so keep your eyes peeled for those events!Item description

  • • 30 days (or more) before the course or climb, course fees are eligible for a reschedule or refund.

    • Within 14-30 days of the course or climb, 50% is non-refundable. We will try our best to fill your spot for full refund but cannot guarantee we can fill it.

    • Within 14 days of the course or climb, full tuition is non-refundable.

    • “No shows” are non-refundable and no reschedule option will be available.

    • Due to the nature of the activity, we do not have a guaranteed location and cannot wait for those running significantly late. Please let us know ASAP if you are running late. If we have not heard from you and you are 30 minutes late, it will count as a no-show.

    WEATHER CANCELLATIONS:

    • If we must cancel due to weather, a reschedule date will be arranged; tuition is held.

    • Your guide will make the call for the safety of the course and participants.

  • Outdoor activities can be inherently dangerous. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver and emergency contact form prior to this event. Please register with an active email address as this will be how we communicate with you and send you paperwork.

    If this event is held with a third-party partner, you may be asked to sign a second waiver or any other documents they require to participate.

  • Trips, classes, and events lead by third-party partners are at-cost and Wild Forces does not collect any revenue.

    Please consider donating as Wild Forces is a 501(c)3 organization that relies on donations to operate.