What to Expect on a Guided Rock Climbing Day
A first climbing outing is likely to generate all sorts of feelings, like excitement, anxiety, curiosity and uncertainty. For those who like to know what to expect, a little advanced preparation can be helpful.
Because your trip is custom tailored to you and your group, it’s impossible to predict every detail. However, many aspects are largely consistent from trip to trip, so the rough timeline below provides a good idea of what’s likely to happen and how you can prepare for success.
Clients meeting their instructor, Kevin Baker, at the CCC trailhead.
A Rough Climbing Day Timeline
(Actual times will vary, of course, with the infinite possibilities of what your climbing day may bring)
7:30 AM - Meet Your Guide
Your adventure begins when you meet your climbing guide at the climbing trailhead. If you have not secured a Park pass in advance, you’ll want to do so now.
At the trailhead, you’ll get acquainted with your instructor, have a chance to use the restroom (there’s no restroom at the rock climbing area), and ensure you have everything you need. Your guide will outfit you with appropriate rock climbing gear and/or inspect your personal equipment if you brought your own. They will also give you a brief overview of the guided climbing day they have planned.
8:00 AM - Hike to the Crag, aka “The Approach”
Once you have connected with your guide and been outfitted, your group will begin what climbers call “the approach,” or the hike to the climbing area, where you’ll spend the day. You might hike on a trail the entire way, or use a combination of established trails, more informal “climbing trails,” and off-trail scrambling. Our approach hikes usually take 15-30 minutes, depending on terrain difficulty and the group fitness. Most approaches involve ascending 500 feet in elevation. The terrain is steep and rocky; expect large, high steps on hard, slippery rock. Many hikers find this hike challenging, and need to stop to catch their breath multiple times. We recommend carrying everything in your backpack, so your hands are available to provide balance and help you negotiate the terrain.
Guide Kevin Bergstrom places a couple cams while building a climbing anchor.
8:30 AM - Setting Climbing Anchors
Once you arrive at the cliff, your guide will set up the climbing routes you’ll start the day with. This will take about 10 minutes for each rope they set up. Your instructor might take you along to the top of the cliff, or you may choose to wait down at the base. Your climbing guide will be happy to tell you a little about how they build anchors to hold the ropes. If you are curious or have specific questions, just ask.
9:00 AM - Learn to Tie-In and Belay During Climbing Ground School
After the ropes are hung and ready to be climbed on, your group will likely go through “ground school.” Ground school is a short series of instructional lessons that teach you basic crag safety, like tying the rope to your harness, and belaying a climbing partner. It’s a great opportunity to learn fundamental climbing skills so you can practice them in a supervised setting.
9:30 AM - Climbing Time!
So, ropes are up, and you’re feeling confident in your new skills, what’s next? The main event, of course - time to climb! Whether you climb all the way to the top, or just a few feet off the ground, fun and exploration matter most. Over the course of the day, you’ll have a chance to try multiple routes of varying difficulties.
?:00 PM - Lunch?
There’s no official “lunchtime,” but some groups take a break sometime around noon to rest and refuel. Now is also good time for some personal care, things like taking a bathroom break or reapplying sunscreen or bug spray. “Working lunches” are also common, as it’s easy for individuals to eat, relax, take photos, etc. while other group members climb.
Afternoon - More Climbing, Belaying, Lounging & Fun
Climbing continues. It’s common for guides to take down climbing routes and put new ones up over the course of the day. Maybe you’ll want to take another shot at a climb you tried earlier, or perhaps your guide will have set up some new routes nearby. Give it all you’ve got in these last hours.
1:45 PM - Last Call
After a few hours of climbing, your guide will start taking down the ropes, and you’ll have time to pack up before hiking back to the parking lot.
2:30 PM - Back at the Trailhead
After a great day of challenging yourself, you’re back in the parking lot where you began your day. You will return any borrowed gear (often harness, helmet, rock shoes, maybe backpack) to your instructor and make sure you have all your valuables. Consider a swim, an ice cream cone, a cold beverage or continuing on to your next adventure.
A daughter-father team climbs at Bedroom Amphitheater on the East Rampart.
HOW TO PREPARE For Your Guided Climbing Day
WHAT TO BRING
You’ll want to be prepared for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and have plenty of food and water. We won’t be returning to the parking lot until we’re finished climbing, so plan to pack everything into one backpack. We’ve compiled a full “what to bring” list for you, which should help you decide what to prioritize and what to leave behind.
LOGISTICAL PREPARATION
Directions: Be sure you have reliable directions to your meeting spot. Cell phone service is unreliable in the park, so you’ll want to be sure you can navigate without it.
You can find directions to all of our Devil’s Lake meeting spots in our Trailhead Guide. Be sure to consult your confirmation email or ask your guide if you’re not sure which location to meet at.
Parks Pass: Devil’s Lake State Park charges an entry fee for each vehicle, which you may pay on-site or in advance. The Park does not check for passes at the gate. Rather, DLSP Park rangers check parked vehicles for passes, which must be on display on the driver’s side dashboard. Vehicles without passes are issued a formal warning ticket, which turns into a real ticket if the fee is not paid within a certain short period. Full parking pass details are available on our website.
DLCG Forms: Make sure you’ve filled out the participant agreement and participant information forms sent to you in your confirmation email. These forms provide your guide information that helps them customize the day to suit your group’s goals and needs.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
Many of the approach trails at Devil’s Lake are made up of steep rock steps. If you can make it up the trail, you’re fit enough to try some of the vertical routes.
Beyond needing to be able to hike 15-20 minutes up steep grade, there are no physical requirements for rock climbing with us. The following are simply suggestions that may help you feel more prepared, but they’re by no means necessary.
Visit your local climbing gym. Indoor gyms like Boulders (Madison), Adventure Rock (Milwaukee) or First Ascent (Chicago) are great places to get familiar with climbing equipment, movement, and safety protocols in a controlled setting. Have fun learning about what kind of routes you like, and how the route rating system works.
Get moving. You’ll probably want to feel your best while you’re out climbing with us, so take some time in advance to invest in whatever makes your body feel good. Flexibility, balance, strength, and endurance all come into play on the rock. Whether it’s yoga, running, or weight lifting, do what helps you feel strong, centered, and fit. It’s best to do this during the months or weeks leading up to your trip. Take a rest day (or a couple) before climbing, so you’re energized and fresh.
Take care of yourself. In the days prior to your trip, eat well, hydrate, and go to bed early. If you live more than an hour or two from Devil’s Lake, consider making the trip the night prior to avoid a pre-dawn start that might leave you drowsy all day long. High quality rest and nutrition will make climbing easier and more fun.
GET PSYCHED
Check out the following climbing movies to engage your imagination and build the anticipation ahead of your climbing trip. We promise your experience won’t be as hair-raising as any of these films!
Contact Us with Questions
Okay, that’s about it! If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll be happy to sort you out. Thanks and we look forward to climbing with you.
The DLCG Team
