If you have not climbed before we offer one-day forays to give you a taste of what it is all about. This is a great program for families and a way to get the kids outside and into the natural world, enjoying themselves and learning new things in the outdoors. Our overall aim is simply to have fun on the rocks. All you need to bring is lunch and enthusiasm and we will provide everything else. We offer scheduled dates and custom programs year-round.

Locations
Our scheduled one-day programs take place in the Mammoth area in the summer and fall and the Bishop area during the colder months. The most likely places are Horseshoe Slabs in the Lakes basin above Mammoth and the Benton Crags or Buttermilk area near Bishop. However, bear in mind that weather changes everything and we may need to vary this schedule.

Itinerary
Our goal is just to have fun and to get you familiar with the basics of climbing which will include:

• Equipment for climbing
• Belaying and equipment handling skills
• Movement on stone
• Lots of practice and climbing time.

Instructors
Our guides are American Mountain Guides Association trained so you can expect the highest level of climbing and safety knowledge combined with solid instructional skills and professionalism.

Equipment Required
Please bring the following to the course: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for warm or cold, wet or dry weather, a sack lunch, sunscreen, sun hat, 2 quarts water, snacks, camera and film, and a day pack to carry it all.

Notes
The best guidebook is “Mammoth Area Rock Climbs” by Marty Lewis.
Get it from Maximus Press.

You can also get our detailed unpublished SMC Guide to Horseshoe Slabs here.

We highly recommend that you spend at least one night at moderate altitude (higher than 8,000') just prior to the trip. Spending a night in Mammoth would do the trick. Please refer to our Planning for Success info sheet for more info.

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