What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area A half-day of climbing All technical gear (harness, helmet, gloves and lanyards) Transportation to and from the climbing site Credit card fees What’s not included: Meals and snacks Accommodation Transportation to and from the guide’s office

What about required equipment?

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 Gloves (can be rented from your guiding service) Lanyards Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (a 20-35L bag) Water bottle or hydration pack Food you can eat on-the-go Short or long sleeve shirt Light pants or shorts Jacket (for colder days) Closed toe shoes Hiking shoes with sticky rubber Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, 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 age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this private adventure, the max. guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1. Costs decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with family and friends! All prices are per person. Via Ferrata climbing days in Lake Tahoe can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking. Min. age requirements: Nearly all ages can participate. Please note that due to safety requirements, climbers must be at least and 3’11” (120 cm) to climb. Our safety equipment is rated for climbers 88lbs (40 kg) to 264lbs (119 kg). If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Half-day Via Ferrata Climbing in Lake Tahoe, CA

Top three reasons to climb Via Ferrata in Lake Tahoe

Ascend steep terrain with no previous experience
Enjoy the striking views of cliffs, forests, creeks, and valleys
Hike after summiting and take photos of the surrounding peaks and Shirley Canyon

Via Ferrata, meaning “Iron Road” in Italian, is a protected hiking, scrambling climbing experience accessible to all skill levels. With its Continuous Lifeline System, this four-hour Via Ferrata is ideal for beginners, making sure that participants are connected to the rock 100% of the time, feeling secure throughout the experience! Choose one of the two possible routes, The Sundial Arête and The Skyline Traverse, and let your guide lead you through an outdoor adventure the whole family can enjoy. Summit the route, enjoy amazing views along the way, and finish the day off by hiking along the ridge to revel in the views of Shirley Canyon! Find out why Lake Tahoe is one of the ultimate rock climbing destinations in California from Cody Bradford, AMGA Rock Guide and 57hours ambassador.

Season May through October	Nearest city South Lake Tahoe is minutes away; Reno, NV, is an hour drive
Duration 1 day	Skill level Beginner

Choose how you spend your days

Kick things off with an introduction to the Continuous Lifeline System, practice basic skills on a short beginner section called Flamingo Buttress and let your guide choose the best route for you. Have a go at climbing the Sundial Arête and The Skyline Traverse and enjoy their unique features. Scramble along a rocky ridge and enjoy astounding views of Shirley Canyon. Explore the two bridges and a chimney section of the Skyline Traverse and admire the glorious Olympic Canyon.

Begin your adventure with an introduction to the Continuous Lifeline System, practice basic skills on the Flamingo Buttress, and choose one of the two possible routes to tackle: the Sundial Arête or The Skyline Traverse. Tackle short verticals and airy sections leading to the top, and scramble along slabs, ledges, and rocky ridges with incredible panoramas. Adventurers who try out the Skyline Traverse will also encounter two bridges and a narrow chimney feature.

Meet your guide

Alpenglow Expeditions

Founded in 2004 by IFMGA certified guide Adrian Ballinger, Alpenglow is an AMGA accredited business that leads expeditions across the mountain ranges of the globe in all disciplines including mountaineering, skiing, ski mountaineering, and rock climbing. They’re based in Olympic Valley just northwest of Tahoe City.

Reviews (3)

For experienced climbers and first timers...

Matthew W. about Alpenglow Expeditions on Tahoe Via webpage

This was so much fun! My guide Sam was awesome. He really took the time to explain everything and lead me through the course safely. This was my first experience doing any climbing other than 3rd class scrambles. I’d recommend this to experienced climbers looking for a fun afternoon or someone who’s simply looking to climb for the first time. The staff and owners of Alpenglow are seriously cool people! I’m looking forward to more adventures with Alpenglow in the future.

ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE!

Brooklyn N. about Alpenglow Expeditions on Tahoe Via webpage

I am not going to lie, I am a little scared of heights, and I had so much fun! Our Guides were amazing, and to experience the tram face this way was absolutely unforgettable. With no hesitation I would recommend you do this.

Truly word class...

Brandon W. about Alpenglow Expeditions on Tahoe Via webpage

This is an absolutely incredible addition to Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe. Truly WORLD CLASS experience. From folks in the office, to Scotty and Sydney (our guides), everyone was wonderful. The staff knows their stuff and the actual experience of standing on and traversing across the fabled Tram Face, unreal! This is not just a Tahoe “must do,” but one for California!

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 traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lake Tahoe, CA, please refer to the Government of California websites

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 climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A half-day of climbing
- All technical gear (harness, helmet, gloves and lanyards)
- Transportation to and from the climbing site
- Credit card fees

What’s not included:

- Meals and snacks
- Accommodation
- Transportation to and from the guide’s office

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Participants on the Tahoe Via Ferrata should be prepared for the same exertion level as hiking for a couple of hours. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. Nearly anyone can participate in this activity. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

Note: Please note, all climbers must be at least 3’11” (120 cm) tall. Climbers under 3’11 (120 cm) cannot climb the Tahoe Via Ferrata. Additionally, climbers under 88 lbs (40 kg) must be in a private group. There can be a maximum of 2 climbers per group under the weight minimum.

No prior experience is necessary. Whether you’ve never donned a harness or you’re a seasoned climber, a guide will help you meet your individual objectives. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. As long as you listen to the given instructions, you’ll succeed in completing your climb.

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
- Gloves (can be rented from your guiding service)
- Lanyards

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

- Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (a 20-35L bag)
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Short or long sleeve shirt
- Light pants or shorts
- Jacket (for colder days)
- Closed toe shoes
- Hiking shoes with sticky rubber
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, 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 this private adventure, the max. guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
- Costs decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with family and friends! All prices are per person.

Via Ferrata climbing days in Lake Tahoe can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

- Nearly all ages can participate.
- Please note that due to safety requirements, climbers must be at least and 3’11” (120 cm) to climb. Our safety equipment is rated for climbers 88lbs (40 kg) to 264lbs (119 kg).

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

To get to Lake Tahoe, most people fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport about 1 hour away by car from Lake Tahoe. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

There are morning and afternoon time slots for this adventure every day of the week. Prior to departure, each group will meet at the Alpenglow Expeditions office located in Olympic Valley, where you’ll be introduced to your guide for the day. From there, you’ll head to your tour in a 4×4 vehicle.

The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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