Intermediate Climbing Camp
Rock Dimensions’ Intermediate Climbing Camp exposes youth to climbing in a variety of forms, including top-roping, traditional single-pitch, bouldering, and sport climbing. The camp will follow a progression of skills, designed to be flexible and allow for more individualized instruction. Small group sizes and instructor to climber ratios help to make the camp appropriately challenging for beginner and intermediate climbers who have had some climbing experience in a gym or outdoors.
2024 Dates: June 17-21 / July 15-19
Monday-Friday, 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. each day
Ages: 11 and older
Location
- Climbing Tower at Footsloggers (downtown Boone, NC)
- Linville Gorge and Table Rock area (Pisgah National Forest)**
- Local climbing areas near Boone (National Park Service)**
**Rock Dimensions is permitted for guiding in Pisgah National Forest and areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service.
Parent Responsibilities
Participants will meet Rock Dimensions guides at our location at Footsloggers in Boone each morning at 8:30 A.M., and at the end of the day between 4:30 and 5:00 P.M. each day. Transportation to and from activity sites is provided. Rock Dimensions will provide all climbing gear, including a harness, helmet and climbing shoes for each participant. Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch, water, small backpack, appropriate clothing, and personal items like sun block, etc.
Pre-Camp Planning
Participants will receive the following information in their registration packet:
- Medical Form
- Liability Agreement
- Clothing / Equipment List
- Directions
Cost
$725/person
Includes a Rock Dimensions t-shirt.
It is customary to tip guides if you enjoy your experience.
Program Overview
The initial schedule allows for some flexibility while still providing a reasonable progression of skills and climbing experiences. There may be some changes to the actual schedule that is followed depending on weather, abilities of participants, and other circumstances.The experiences of the first day of climbing will help determine the outline and locations for the last three days.
Day One
Tower to Rock
- Instruction/review and climbing on the Footsloggers climbing tower in downtown Boone. Climbing and rappelling at a rock site close to Boone.
- Learn to put on a harness, tie knots, belay, use verbal commands, and explore basic climbing movement.
- Routes in the 5.5 – 5.9 range of difficulty (beginner-intermediate level). More technical climbing available for those who need more of a challenge. Slab, vertical or free-hanging rappels.
Day Two
Shiprock
- Routes in the 5.5-5.10 range of difficulty (beginner – intermediate level, depending on participant abilities).
- Focus on climbing technique, rappelling, and belaying with a little more exposure.
Day Three
Climbing in Pisgah N.F. or Local sites
- Flexible day catered to the skills, interest, and dynamics of the group. The day may include the following:
- Bouldering to experiment with harder moves, using bouldering/crash pads and “spotters” to help protect a fall. Learn proper techniques for spotting and practice down climbing.
- Sport climbing on routes led by RD guides. More experienced climbers may practice a “mock lead” while on top rope to learn the skills of clipping bolts.
- Top rope climbing in a setting that is more exposed or offers more challenging or a different style of climbing techniques.
Day Four
Table Rock
- Traditional single-pitch climbing on Table Rock in Linville Gorge. Scenic and exposed as participants experience hanging belays.
- Rappel back down to the ground with an instructor belay (rather than being lowered).
Day Five
The Discovery Course
- A day of fun, challenge, and teamwork on the high ropes structure aptly named the Discovery Course. Three levels of physical elements requiring a combination of balance, strength, finesse, and gusto!
- Each level has elements that become increasingly more difficult with each level up.
- Individual choice about which paths to take and which elements to tackle as participants move up toward the “Crow’s Nest” summit.
- A double zipline takes campers from the third level of the course back down to the ground.
- From the second level, the breathtaking Giant Swing awaits for another exhilarating ride out of the course!
Explanation of Terms
Belay means to stop a fall using the rope inside a locking or friction device.
In Toprope Climbing the rope is always above the climber to arrest a possible fall. Rock Dimensions uses a “sling shot belay”, which means the belayer is on the ground and can see the climber at all times. This method allows the belayer and the climber to maintain verbal communication.
Rappelling is a controlled descent down a cliff using rope and friction equipment. Rock Dimensions always belays the rappelling clients down to the ground to ensure their safety in case they fail to use the equipment properly.
Multi-Pitch climbing involves ascending a rock face that is taller than the length of one rope. The route is done in several “pitches” (a rope length or portion thereof). Rock Dimensions guide will “lead” the route, placing protective gear as he/she climbs, then will set up an anchor and belay the participants while they climb to the belay anchor. Participants are on top-rope, with the Rock Dimensions guide belaying them from the anchor point.
Rating System for Rock Climbing
The Yosemite Decimal System categorizes Class 5 terrain (technical rock climbing) in terms of the physical difficulty of the route. 5.0-5.7 (pronounced “five-seven”) is considered a beginner range. The highest rating (to date) is 5.15. Within the 5.10 and higher range, routes are subdivided into a, b, c and d levels to more precisely describe the difficulty (the most difficult 5.10 climb, for example, is 5.10d).
Description of Locations
Linville Gorge Wilderness
Linville Gorge was formed by the Linville River, which now meanders some 2,000 feet below the gorge’s rim. This wilderness area is part of Pisgah National Forest, located southwest of Boone, N.C. The gorge offers breathtaking views, a variety of climbing options, and exciting rappels.
Table Rock is the most prominent feature of the Linville Gorge area, and can be seen from many miles away. The routes here are varied, with slabs requiring confident footwork and cracks that range from less than vertical to overhanging. Table Rock has something for all levels of climbing and is a great introduction to multi-pitch climbing.
While there are beginner level routes in the Amphitheater, climbing here requires more experience and commitment due mainly to the length of the approach.
Wilson Creek Area
The rugged and beautiful terrain of Wilson Creek is located in the Pisgah National Forest near the town of Linville. With an elevation of 3400 feet, these cliffs offer awesome exposure and spectacular views of Grandfather and Grandmother Mountains.
This setting is great for smaller groups and as preparation for multi-pitch climbing with semi-hanging belays and longer routes.
Shiprock
Visible just north of the Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway, climbers at Shiprock can enjoy long vistas of Blue Ridge Mountains with traditional one-pitch and two-pitch classic climbing routes. The climbing is generally a little steeper, but with several beautiful routes at the beginner level with large and abundant holds.