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Whether you are new to rock climbing or looking to expand your skill set, these courses will take your climbing to the next level. Learn everything from basics of trad climbing, technical skills such as self rescue or techniques such as crack climbing. There aren’t many climbing locations that feature a variety of climbs as epic as those near Denver, Colorado. With over 1200 routes ranging from 5.0 to 5.14a in Clear Creek Canyon, nobody will leave empty-handed. Eldorado is a place of adventure with some of the best classic climbs in the US, and Boulder offers a collection of granite playgrounds for all skill levels. Come to Colorado and discover the perfect combination of a sublime environment and some of the best routes in the US!

  • Over 500 multi-pitch climbs that will test your skills

  • Amazing rock quality and over thousands of different routes

  • A collection of granite and sandstone playgrounds just minutes outside of Denver

Available itineraries

Intro to Rock Climbing Group Course

Let your guide show you the ropes — learn the basic skills needed to begin rock climbing such as tying climbing knots, belaying, and techniques and movement for scaling the vertical realm. This introductory class is co-taught by an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and Single Pitch Instructor, ensuring a great day on the rocks. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn how to scale impossible looking routes!

    • Prerequisites: No experience is necessary. If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go!
    • Course venue: Clear Creek Canyon
  • This course is meant to teach you the basics of rock climbing. Your guide will cover the following topics:

      • Rock climbing gear and its uses
      • What rock climbing gear is necessary to begin
      • Climbing knots such as the Figure 8 and Overhand on a bite
      • How to correctly put on a harness and tie in
      • Crag etiquette
      • Climbing technique and movement basics
      • Top-rope belaying
      • Climbing resources as you progress
Gym to Crag Group Course

Discover the inspiring and exciting world of outdoor rock climbing!This two-day course will help you feel confident with the skills and technical rope work that is needed to climb outdoors. This course also serves as a great refresher and way to stay up to date on new technical skills. Transition from indoors to outdoors with expert guides!

    • Prerequisites: Some experience with indoor or outdoor climbing.
    • Course venue: Clear Creek Canyon
  • This course is meant to teach you how to transition from indoor to outdoor climbing. You’ll learn about topics such as:

      • Anchor construction and types of anchors
      • Safety considerations of outdoor climbing
      • Review of basic climbing skills such as knots and belaying
      • Hazards assessment and risk management strategies
      • Crag etiquette
      • Reading an outdoor route
      • Rappelling and cleaning an anchor
      • Climbing movement
      • Climbing resources as you progress
Intro to Trad Group Course

Learn the basics of trad climbing and take your adventures to new heights! Learn everything you need to know to climb single or multi-pitch routes. This course covers everything from proper gear placement and anchor construction to terrain considerations and climbing movement. Join your expert and friendly guides and learn all about trad climbing!

    • Prerequisites: Participants should have prior experience with lead climbing and be comfortable climbing up to a 5.8 on a top rope. Previous experience with basic climbing systems such as belaying is required.
    • Course venue: Boulder Canyon and Eldorado Canyon
  • With this course, you’ll learn the basics of trad climbing and your guide will cover the following topics:

      • How to properly place gear
      • Different types of protection and their uses
      • Natural and artificial anchors
      • How to protect a follower
      • Review of knots, lead belaying, and route finding
      • Terrain considerations and rope management
      • Climbing movement
      • How to rack trad gear, maintain, and store it
      • Introduction to self rescue
      • Differences between single and multi-pitch trad climbing
Crack Climbing Group Course

Crack climbing might not be for everyone, but if you are looking to upgrade your climbing skills, crack climbing will definitely be of help! Knowing how to jam cracks is an important skill. Get familiar with how to jam finger cracks, hand cracks, off-width, chimneys and everything in between. Let your experienced guide show you all the techniques and moves, and get ready to conquer new heights!​​

    • Prerequisites: Participants should be able to comfortably climb 5.6 outdoors on a top rope as well as have experience with basic climbing systems such as belaying.
    • Course venue: Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, or North Table Mountain
  • During this course, you’ll spend your time climbing and learning about topics such as:

      • How to jam finger cracks, hand cracks, off-width, chimneys and everything in between
      • How to make a tape glove
      • Moving efficiently while crack climbing
      • Introduction to gear needed for crack climbing
      • Tips from an AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Learn to Lead Climbing Group Course

On this two-day course, you’ll learn how to lead a route by yourself. Hear all about proper gear, anchors, safety, and lead belaying, and try out your newly acquired knowledge in the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon. Practice makes perfect so join an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and walk away with the skills and confidence to lead!

    • Prerequisites: Participants should be able to comfortably climb 5.8 outdoors on a top rope as well as have experience with basic climbing systems such as belaying.
    • Course venue: Clear Creek Canyon
  • Learn how to lead a route and listen to your guide as they tell you about and show you the following topics:

      • Climbing equipment necessary to lead a sport climb
      • Lead belaying
      • Bolted anchor construction
      • How to protect yourself while leading
      • How to clean anchors
      • Falling
      • Learn how/when to bail off a route
      • Tips from an AMGA Certified Rock Guide
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Meet your guide

Golden Mountain Guides
5.00
Golden Mountain Guides
As a small, family run business, GMG values the importance of personal connection, self discovery, and the joy that the great outdoors can add to life. They aim to not just guide, but create meaningful connections through incredible experiences. Explore incredible places and open the door to a lifetime of fulfilling adventure with Golden Mountain Guides!
5.00 (4 reviews)
Michael W. (source: Facebook)

I took the Intro to Trad 2-day class with Thomas and Ben this past weekend, and can’t recommend it enough! Great instruction, small class size, plenty of time to practice skills and ask questions, and it came at a great price.
We spent the first day learning technique in Boulder Canyon, and then spent the entire second day mock-leading in Eldo. I had a great time and feel like I have a solid foundation to build on. If you’re looking to get into trad, this is a great course!

Lindsey R. (source: Facebook)

So glad I found Golden Mountain Guides!! Ben was my guide and he made my first experience outdoor climbing the BEST!! He was so encouraging, super helpful, and definitely felt like I could trust him (literally) with my life! definitely take one of their guides. It was super fun!

Brent L. (source: Facebook)

My girlfriend and I went climbing with Golden Mountain Guides (Ben was our guide). Both of us had a little experience climbing before, but nothing too extensive and wanted to learn more about the sport and get a better introduction into it.
Ben did an excellent job helping us understand more about the gear and the ropes (no pun intended). Not only was he a great help in helping us feel more confident while climbing, but also helped push us outside of our comfort zones and gave us a challenging route as well!
If you are looking to get into climbing or are looking to increase your skills with someone who has a strong understanding of the sport, I cannot recommend Golden Mountain Guides (and Ben) highly enough!

Awesome experience! Will come back to do again
Melissa R. (source: TripAdvisor)

Absolutely loved it. Everyone got lots of climbs in! Thomas is super knowledgeable. Super accommodating. Already planning another trip with others. We did Clear Creek Canyon and got to try four different routes which was awesome. 10/10 recommend !!!!!

Things to know

  • 57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

    We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Colorado, please refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

    Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, local rock climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • A full day or 2 days of rock climbing depending on your chosen itinerary
      • All technical climbing gear
      • Resources to further your climbing journey

    What’s not included:

      • Transportation 
      • Accommodations
      • Food and snacks
      • Entrance and parking fees (where necessary)
  • If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

  • Denver has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

    For intermediate to advanced climbers, Denver has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.

  • All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

      • Helmet
      • Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
      • Rock shoes* (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them)
      • Ropes
      • Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)

    Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
      • Water bottle
      • Food you can eat on-the-go
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For these group courses, the max. guest-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
      • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
      • If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.

    Climbing days in Denver can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Clear Creek Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, or North Table Mountain, most people fly into Denver International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to the meeting point. All climbing locations are located at the outskirts of Denver, between 30 minutes and one hour away.

    Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

  • Day Trips Cancellations
    Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
    Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
    Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.

Have more questions? Read our FAQ,
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