WHY TAKE OUR WORKSHOPS?

We are about sharing information, teaching skills and growing the community safely. Some people like an activity to be lead or guided, we offer that too. But these workshops are about empowering the climber with knowledge. We teach the skills you need to get out there and climb harder, and improve safety for yourself and others around you. Our workshops are structured in a way that the information is compounding, constantly building on what you just learned, or learned in a previous workshop. We understand that you are thirsty for knowledge and we will give you everything we have to quench your thirst.

WHAT WE DO DIFFERENT

This workshop focuses on traditional climbing techniques and gear placements.

Today is not about guiding you up a trad route, it's about teaching you how to guide yourself. Traditional rock climbing is exciting, yet daunting. We will break it down for you in a way that is manageable, and will allow you to practice in a safe learning environment.

You will learn about good trad gear placements and bad placements. Not all pieces are created equal, and each piece of protection is subject to a different amount of force when absorbing a fall. You will learn all of these important details. Remember, protecting a climb isn't just about protecting yourself in a case of a fall, it's also about protecting your partner. Traverses and overhanging sections of rock can be challenging to protect, and we'll teach you the secrets.

By the end of the day, you will be on the sharp end of the rope, placing protection and receiving immediate feedback on the good, the bad and the ugly.

PRE-REQUISITES

In this class we will build on the knowledge you gained in your Level I Rock Climbing Anchors and Rescue Workshop (a pre-requisite for this course). 

The Level I Rock Climbing Anchor Building and Rescue Workshop ensures that anyone taking this course has at least the same foundational knowledge of knots, anchors, and basic rescue systems. 

• Students should have the ability to safely belay with a plate, tube or auto-locking device.

• Students should be able to confidently rock climb at a grade of 5.6 outdoors (5.9 indoors).

Our only other requirement is that you come prepared to THINK.

Our team of professional rock climbing guides are trained and certified by the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), to ensure that you're having the best educational experience, both fun and safe, possible.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

WHAT IS INCLUDED: 
Professionally trained and certified rock climbing instructor.
Top rope safety system (in place for mock trad leads), climbing ropes.
WHAT TO BRING:
Water (2-liters); lunch/snacks; tip for your guides; sunscreen; sun glasses; sun hat.
Trad Rack (see required equipment section).
WHAT TO WEAR:
Comfortable athletic clothing; sneakers (for when you're not rock climbing). If you have your own personal rock climbing/safety equipment bring it, if you need to borrow gear from us, just let us know your waist size (for the harness), and shoes size (for our magic rock climbing shoes).
CLIMBING LOCATION:
We will be rock climbing at Cragmont Park in the Berkeley Hills, approximately 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco.
TIMING:
We'll send you driving directions after you register, and will meet you at the cliffs at 8:00AM.

If you do not have ALL of the equipment listed below, then you’ll need to rent a workshop kit from us (we are not renting items out in piecemeal).

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

• (qty 1) Face Mask/Face Covering

• (qty 2) single rack of cams from 0.3 - 3” (with 1 non-locking carabiner per cam)

• (qty 1) 4” cam

• (qty 1) set of stoppers

• (qty 2) Round Stock/Pear Shaped Locking Carabiners

• (qty 1) 7mm x 7M cordelette

• (qty 2) 120cm nylon or dyneema slings (with at-least 1 non-locking carabiner(s) per sling)

• (qty 6) 60cm sling either nylon or dyneema (with at-least 1 non-locking carabiner(s) per sling)

• (qty 1) UIAA Approved Rock Climbing Harness (in good condition)

• (qty 1) UIAA Approved Rock Climbing Helmet

• (qty 1) Gri-Gri Belay Device

If you have questions about any of the required equipment, please do not hesitate to email/call.

info@saanoadventures.com / 415-890-5209

WAIT LISTING!

• If the trip you'd like to reserve is out of stock, please follow this link and put yourself on the wait list. If a spot opens up, we'll notify you immediately.

A portion of the fees for each reservation is given to the parks department for conservation and sustainability. We appreciate your willingness to be a part of the effort to conserve our wild resources so that others can enjoy them after us.

ITINERARY

• 8:00 AM - Arrive at the climbing area; sign in paperwork.

• 8:15 AM - Safety talk; LNT; workshop expectations.

• 8:30 AM - Knots, hitches, workshop begins.

• 5:30 PM - Wrap up; clean our climbing site.

• 6:00 PM - Estimated end of class.

*Any changes to the course time will be communicated in advance of the trip date.