The Colorado Mountain Club’s Technical Climbing School connects aspiring climbers with their vertical ambitions.
Classes and trips are designed to teach the technical elements of rock and snow climbing, including the use of ropes, anchors, ice tools, protection, crampons and specialized skills to safely negotiate challenging terrain. The class modules are ideal for individuals with goals such as leading fifth-class rock, ice climbing or ascending difficult peaks.
The entry-level courses provide a foundation, covering such topics as belaying, movement techniques, gear and navigation. More advanced courses build upon those basics and teach students everything they need to climb throughout Colorado. The modular approach to the curriculum allows students to select classes and dates that fit their schedule and specific interests. The classes can be taken individually or as packages to achieve certificate Alpine Climbing.
For questions, contact cmc.techclimbingschool@gmail.com.
The infographic below shows the recommended progression through CMC Technical Climbing School:
Basic Climbing is the best class to start with! It is a prerequisite for all the rock, snow, and ice climbing classes (not required for navigation courses). Upon completion of this class you’ll be able to climb indoors at any rock climbing gym. You’ll learn:
Basic Climbing, Session F and Basic Climbing Waiver- Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Basic Climbing, Session G and Basic Climbing Waiver- Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Basic Climbing, Session H and Basic Climbing Waiver- Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Basic Climbing, Session I and Basic Climbing Waiver- Thurday, Aug 25, 2022
Building off of Basic Climbing, Intermediate Rock Climbing focuses on climbing safety: equipment (and using it properly), communication, belaying, lowering, and rappelling.
You’ll learn:
TCS/ACS - Intermediate Rock Climbing Session C - Modular Track - May 21-22, 2022
TCS/ACS - Intermediate Rock Climbing Session A - Modular Track - June 4-5, 2022
TCS/ACS - Intermediate Rock Climbing Session B - Modular Track - June 11-12, 2022
TCS/ACS - Intermediate Rock Climbing Session D - Modular Track - September 17-18, 2022
Prerequisite of Intermediate Rock Climbing. Students will learn to build top rope climbing anchors using natural features and fixed protection.
Basic Anchors Session A - June 18, 2022
Basic Anchors Session B - July 10, 2022
Building off of skills learned in Intermediate Rock Climbing, this course will prepare students to deal with problems they may encounter during a multi-pitch climb. Functions as a partial prerequisite to Climbing Self Rescue 2.
TCS Rock Rescue Level 1 - Session A - June 25, 2022
TCS Rock Rescue Level 1 - Session B - July 17, 2022
TCS Rock Rescue Level 1 - Session C - August 20, 2022
TCS Rock Rescue Level 1 - Session D- September 24, 2022
This course also builds off the skills learned in Intermediate Rock Climbing and teaches students:
Rock Seconding Session A - Lectures:June 28, July 7; Field Day: July 9, 2022 Rock Seconding Session B - Lectures:August 9, August 18, Field Day: August 20, 2022
This multi-day class will teach participants the skills needed to safely lead sport climbs;
Participants are expected to either be graduates of BMS Rock/Intermediate Rock Climbing or have experience with good climbing belay skills, rappelling, good climbing communications, and a good working knowledge of knots and the climber's safety system.
Sport Climbing Session A - Lectures: May 16, May 18; Field Day May 21, 2022
Sport Climbing Session B - Lectures: Sept 12, Sept 14; Field Day Sept 17, 2022
Prerequisite of Intermediate Rock Climbing. Students will learn about the various types of rock protection, including: passive protection (nuts, hexes) and active protection (cams); and how to place and incorporate pieces of protection into anchors.
Advanced Anchors Session A - Lecture: July 13; Field Day: July 16, 2022
Students will be introduced to the principles and techniques of placing gear on a single pitch, “traditional” rock climb. You’ll learn:
Prerequisite for this class is Rock Seconding. Students should be comfortable climbing 5.9 in the gym and seconding 5.6/5.7 trad outside. Registration code required. Please contact office@cmc.org to apply.
Traditional Lead Climbing Session A - Lectures: July 13, July 19, July 20, 2022; Field Days: July 16, July 23, July 24, 2022
Advanced Trad Climbing Clinic
Students will learn techniques applicable to advanced trad climbing, including: advanced movement, gear placement, belay transitions, advanced rappelling and descending, and
Prerequisite for this class is Traditional Lead Climbing. Students should have several years of trad climbing experience and be comfortable climbing 5.10 on top rope and leading 5.6/5.7 trad outside. Registration code required. Please contact office@cmc.org to apply.
Advanced Trad Climbing Clinic Session A - Field Day: August 13, 2022
Advanced Multi-Pitch Concepts
Students will learn techniques applicable to climbing multi-pitch routes, including: preparation, anchors, belaying, cleaning gear, belay transitions, descending, and climbing with a 3-person team.
Prerequisite for this class is Traditional Lead Climbing. Students should be comfortable climbing 5.9 in the gym and seconding 5.6/5.7 trad outside. Registration code required. Please contact office@cmc.org to apply.
Advance Multi-Pitch Concepts Session A - Lecture: August 10, Field Day: August 14, 2022
Intro to Aid Climbing
This is an introduction to the basics of clean aid climbing.We cover the following topics:
Intro to Aid Climbing Session A - Lecture: August 25, Field Days: August 27, August 28, 2022
Rocking Seconding is a prerequisite. This course also serves as a partial prerequisite for Self Rescue 3. Students will learn:
Climbing Self Rescue Session A - Lectures: Sept 20, Sept 22: Field Day: Sept 24, 2022
Climbing Self Rescue Session B - Lectures: Sept 27, Sept 29: Field Day: Oct 1, 2022
This Navigation course has no prerequisite and can be a good starting place for taking TCS classes.
Navigation Level 1 - VIRTUAL
Navigation Level 2 allows you to build off of your Level 1 navigation skills and apply them in an intensive field application. An extension of material taught in Navigation Level 1.
Navigation Level 2 - VIRTUAL
Snow is the third portion of classes required to achieve your ACS certificate. Successful completion of Basic Climbing is a prerequisite for enrolling in Basic Snow.
Intermediate Snow Session A - Modular Track - Lecture: March 29; Field Day: April 3, 2022
Intermediate Snow Session B - Modular Track - Lecture: March 29; Field Day: April 10, 2022
This class covers the technical skills you need to climb a snow couloir.
Advanced Snow Session A Modular Track - Lecture: May 3, Field Day: May 7, 2022
In one evening and one field day on ice, Basic Ice Climbing will introduce novice or experienced rock climbers to the basics of ice climbing, and teach them to safely enjoy the sport in top-rope settings. The course focuses on equipment, safety, and technique.
Basic Ice Climbing Session A - January 25, 27; Field day January 30, 2022 (morning)
Basic Ice Climbing Session B - January 25, 27; Field day January 30, 2022 (afternoon) Basic Ice Climbing Session C - January 25, 27; Field day February 6, 2022 (morning)
This class is for climbers who want to gain the skills needed for doing their own top-rope ice climbing adventures. You'll learn anchoring and rigging skills unique to the Lake City Ice Park / Ouray Ice Park. You'll also refine your climbing technique with lots of laps on steep ice (WI4 - WI5).
Intermediate Ice Climbing - Lectures: Jan 31, Feb 1; Field Days: Feb 4-6, 2022
Mixed Climbing/Dry Tooling
This class introduces climbers to mixed rock and ice, as well as dry tool routes. You’ll learn movement and techniques for mixed climbing as well as route selection, grading systems, hazard evaluation and safety systems. The course will take place in Ouray Ice Park where you’ll get to practice on classic mixed and dry tool top roped climbs.
You should be an experienced rock climber and proficient at climbing WI4-WI5 ice. Prerequisites: Intermediate Rock Climbing, Intermediate Ice Climbing.
Mixed Climbing/Dry Tooling - Lectures: January 4; Field Days: January 7-9, 2022
This class is for experienced ice climbers who are ready to get on the sharp end. You'll learn:
You’ll also receive plenty of mentorship from our Sr. Ice Climbing Instructors.
Ice Lead Climbing - Lectures: Feb 21, Feb 22; Field Days: Feb 25-27, 2022
Within the Technical Climbing School, you can take 6 of our 17 classes to earn a certificate in Alpine Climbing. Think of the Alpine Climbing School (ACS) as an academic/vocational degree within the Technical Climbing School.
School prerequisites are:
The Alpine Climbing School includes the following courses:
In addition to the classes above, you will also complete the following trips:
You have two options when it comes to ACS
Team Track: allows you to work with the same small group of classmates and instructors throughout all the Alpine Climbing classes. The traditional format is slightly less expensive, but the dates are more rigid. In the CMC calendar, filter for classes and look for Alpine Climbing School. There are three sessions of Team Track offered each year which runs March - June. When you click on the class, the Event Details will give you all the dates for that session. Registration for 2022 Team Track is now open. Spaces are limited. Apply here.
TCS Alpine Climbing School (ACS) - Session A
TCS Alpine Climbing School (ACS) - Session A (Women)
TCS Alpine Climbing School (ACS) - Session B
TCS Alpine Climbing School (ACS) - Session C TCS Alpine Climbing School (ACS) - Session D
Class
Location
Session A
Session B
Session C
Session D
Orientation / Risk Management Lecture
CMC, Golden
Mar-1
Nav 2 Lecture /Trip Planning / Mountain Weather
Online
Mar-8
Nav 2 Field Day
Decker's Area
Mar-12
Mar-13
Caltopo Lecture
Mar-22
Int Snow Lecture / Winter Backcountry Travel
Mar-29
Int Snow Field
St. Mary's Glacier
Apr-2
Apr-9
Apr-3
Apr-10
Int Rock/Rescue 1/Anchors Lecture
CMC Wall, Golden
Apr-19
Apr-26
Apr-20
Apr-27
Int Rock/Anchors/Rescue Field Day 1
Castlewood Canyon or Boulder Canyon
Apr-23
Apr-30
Int Rock/Anchors/Rescue Field Day 2
Apr-24
May-1
Adv Snow Lecture
May-3
Adv Snow Field Day
Winter Park
May-7
Check back for more information on Intermediate and Advanced Alpine Climbing School certificates.
The CMC is recruiting Denver Group members who'd like to lead technical climbing trips. Volunteering as a trip leader is a great way to give back to the CMC community and make new climbing buddies!
Please visit the Trip Leader School page to learn more.