Craggin’ in Moab!

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Craggin’ In Moab!

$420 SINGLE GUEST

$250/pp 2 OR MORE GUESTS

Beginner - Advanced

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Moab, Utah

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1 Day (8 Hours)

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Moab is best enjoyed with some cragging days in the desert, sampling desert cracks and beautiful sandstone, then taking some time during the evening for a fantastic dinner and stroll around town. Join us for an unforgettable experience in the desert!

Four people, wearing helmets and climbing gear, enjoying a rock climbing session on a red sandstone cliff with a scenic desert and canyon landscape in the background.

  • Enjoy one of the many single-pitch venues around Moab with one of our team members and sample some of the world-class crack climbing or sport climbing venues.

  • Meet at Red Rock Bakery & Cafe in Moab at 8:00 am. Intros and ambitions laid out, we will caravan to the crag.

  • During the Pennsylvanian Period (320-285 million years ago), much of Utah was covered by ocean. A small arm of the Ancestral Rockies penetrated into Utah from the east, north of the Moab area. Extending south from the tip of these highlands was an area that was occasionally submerged, occasionally "high and dry." The Moab region was a gigantic deep "sinkhole," called the Paradox Basin.

    From time to time, the Paradox Basin would be flooded with ocean water as sea levels rose (or the land bridge subsided). A layer of limestone would form in this new ocean bay. Then the Paradox Basin would be cut off from the ocean and would dry out, leaving evaporated salts, capped with shale. Multiple such cycles occurred over millions of years, leaving over 1000 feet of salt. No rock of the Pennsylvanian Period is exposed at the surface in the Moab area, but the shape of the land has been affected by the Paradox Formation salt (more on this later).

    Potash (a salt of potassium) is mined from Paradox Formation deposits deep under the Colorado River. The plant can be seen from here at the overlook at the end of the Amassa Back trail.

A woman rock climbing outdoors, wearing a helmet and harness, negotiating a narrow crevice between large rocks.
Group of rock climbers on a red sandstone cliff preparing to climb with climbing gear, helmets, and harnesses.

  • AIR TRAVEL

    There are regular flights to Salt Lake City, Denver, and Grand Junction.

    Two flights arrive in Moab from Salt Lake City, UT on Delta/Skywest Moab Airport.

    We suggest making your reservation as soon as possible as these flights fill up quickly.

    If flights are sold out, your options include flying into Grand Junction- GJ Airport, Salt Lake City- SLC Airport, or Denver- DIA Airport and renting a car.

    Grand Junction is the closest option, just two hours away. Salt Lake City is next at four hours and Denver is five and a half hours drive from Moab.

  • Moab offers all types of accommodations, from camping to high-end retreat spa ranches. For more information, visit DiscoverMoab.com.

    For high-end accommodations, we recommend Gonzo Inn. Located downtown at 100 W. 200 S., Gonzo Inn offers luxurious and spacious rooms with an abundance of local flavor.

    Equally impressive, the Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa’s private location along the Colorado River offers scenic views, luxury cabin suites with hydrotherapy tubs, full spa services, and massage therapy to soothe tired climbing muscles.

    Middle-of-the-road (but very nice) lodging is available at Best Western Canyonlands Inn, located at 16 S. Main Street.

    Even more economical is the Lazy Lizard Hostel (435-259-6057), 1213 S. Hwy. 191. Dorms ($10/night), private rooms ($24/night), and log cabins are available. Dorms are male, female, or co-ed and accommodate 4-8 people per room.

+PREPARATIONS

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Technical Experience

No technical experience is required. Top-roping and/or lead climbing experience is helpful, as well as the belay methods for each practice.

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Fitness

Moderate physical fitness is strongly recommended. Climbers should be able to hike and climb for approximately 6-8 hours while carrying a small pack.

FAQ’s

CRAGGIN’ IN MOAB QUESTIONS

The answers to our most commonly asked questions.

  • PRICE INCLUDES

    +Expert level instruction and resources to further your climbing journey.

    +Group equipment such as ropes, helmets, harnesses, shoes, and technical climbing equipment.

    PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

    +Personal equipment (see Gear List)

    +Transportation

    +Hotels/lodging in Moab

    +All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees)

    +Trip cancellation insurance

    +Gratuities

  • Smile Mountain Guides provides the following gear.

    Technical:

    +Helmets

    +Harness

    +Shoes

    +Ropes and group technical equipment

    Smile Mountain Guides does not provide the clothing or layers needed to be comfortable in the mountain environment.

  • Smile focuses on ratios that meet the professional mountain guiding standards, while also allowing for a collaborative learning environment and community connections. We host these crag days at a 4:1 ratio.

  • Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.

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