Big Wall Clinic
Intro to
Big Wall Climbing
Clinic
$250 Per Person
Intermediate
Boulder, Colorado
1-Day (9 hours)
This clinic is for experienced multi-pitch trad climbers to get hands-on, expert instruction in the fundamentals of big wall climbing: planning, aid leading, ascending a rope, hauling, and more.
You can’t learn everything about big wall-ing in a day (or perhaps a lifetime) but you will be better equipped to start up Grade V routes independently. Those big dreams become possible, learn by doing!
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We’ll start the day in Boulder Canyon- a perfect venue for big wall practice, hosting a variety of aid lines!
After a discussion on planning, packing, and strategy, we will dive into the fundamental skills of gear selection, aiding, jugging, and hauling. These topics will be split into mini-classroom seminars with hands-on practice.
After progressing through the basics, we will move to more advanced skills; hooking, pendulums, tension traverses, lower outs, advanced hauls, etc.
This is A LOT! Our day will be packed.
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Gear Selection
Picking an Objective
Planning, Packing, and Strategy
Leading
Top Stepping
Bounce Testing
When to daisy
Following/Jugging
Types of backups and pros/cons
Hauling
Rigging, docking, and releasing the bag
Rope Management
Anchor Management
Lower Out
Pendulums
Descending
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NOTEBOOK – This is the most important thing you can bring. We are going to cover an insane amount of material.
FOOTWEAR
+Sticky Rubber Approach Shoes Stiffer the better! Or already beaten-up shoes
+Socks
UPPER LAYERS
+Synthetic T-shirt
BOTTOM LAYERS
+Softshell Pants
GLOVES/HATS
+Buff
BACKPACKS
+30-40L Climbing Pack (Cool Bag Recommendations )
ACCESSORIES
+Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Sun Hat
+Nalgene, Minimum 1.5L
+Climbing Snacks: 100 calories an hour!
EQUIPMENT
+Harness or Bigwall-Specific
+Belay Device w/Locking Carabiner
+Handful of additional Locking Carabiners
+Autoblock Cord w/ Non-Locker
+Adjustable daisy chains
+Fifi hook (optional)
Smile Mountain Guides has limited big wall gear and cams to lend out. It is ideal to practice with your equipment, which you’ll need on future big walls.
If you are not ready to buy gear, contact us.
PREPARATIONS FOR INTRO TO BIG WALL CLIMBING
Technical Experience
This clinic is valuable to those new to big wall climbing and those who have previously practiced some of these skills. To make the most of our time together please have adequate traditional lead climbing experience. If you would like more trad climbing experience before this program please look into our One-day Trad Intensive.
Fitness
General climbing fitness is recommended. Big wall climbing is a physical pursuit that requires hauling heavy loads, including yourself, up a lot of vertical feet!
Meet Your INstructors
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Heidi Wirtz is a climber, guide, and yogin. She holds a deep love of connecting with nature, sharing her passions, and inspiring others to follow their dreams. She has been climbing for over thirty years, letting her passion for adventure and exploration lead her to exotic and remote places around the world. Heidi has pioneered new routes up unclimbed big walls and mountains and pushed the limits of female exploration.
Heidi is the founder and owner of an adventure retreat business called Earth Play Retreats (EPR), which combines adventure sports, a connection to nature, and yoga. Through her guiding, instruction, and Earth Play Retreats, she is dedicated to offering her clients a transformational experience that will carry over into their everyday lives.
Heidi has been guiding in the outdoors for over 28 years and is a certified AMGA Rock Guide, Apprentice Ski Guide, and Apprentice Alpine Guide, making her an Apprentice Mountain Guide. Heidi is also an SPI Program Provider. Heidi is working towards her full IFMGA certification.
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Keiko is a climber, teacher, and student. She has been climbing for almost two decades. Her first big wall was a solo ascent of El Capitan in 2015.
Since then, she has climbed many big walls and established a number of first ascents across the West. She continues to expand on her skills in all forms of climbing, including traditional, ice, mixed, and aid. In her spare time, Keiko volunteers with local climbing organizations, teaches clinics, and mentors young climbers in her community.
She is extremely passionate about empowering climbers and creating a safe environment for people of all backgrounds to learn and feel welcome. Keiko’s goals include establishing new routes on big mountains in remote areas and teaching practical skills to empower climbers to reach their full potential. Dream BIG!
FAQ’s
Intro to Big Wall Clinic
The answers to our most commonly asked questions about the Intro to Bigwall Clinic.
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PRICE INCLUDES
+Guide fees (4:1 climber-to-guide ratio)
+Group equipment such as ropes, cams, traxion-devices, ladders.
+Non-stop stoke and instruction from Heidi Wirtz; an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, big wall first ascensionist, and stone monkey.
+Non-stop stoke and instruction from Keiko Tanaka; an AMGA apprentice Rock Guide, big wall first ascensionist, and El Cap rope soloist.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
+Personal equipment (see Gear List)
+Transportation
+Meals – Part of our ethic is to teach self-sufficiency in the mountains, which includes backcountry cooking. See our suggested Food Plan Below.
+All expenses incurred in the event of early departure
+Trip cancellation insurance
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Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet the professional mountain guiding standard. These programs have a 4:1 ratio and we can accommodate a maximum group size of 8 climbers with 2 guides.
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
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Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures.
Please reach out if you would like a custom Intro to Bigwall experience with Heidi!