What age do I have to be to participate? All summer camps are for people ages 11 through 18. Group and privately guided trips are for ages 11 and up. (Age exceptions can be made for parent-and-child trips.)

What’s your participant-to-staff ratio? It never exceeds 4:1. Often it is 3:1.

How large is your group? The number of participants never exceeds 16; however, the average is nine.

What is the boy-to-girl ratio? Usually it’s three boys to every one girl, though sometimes it is two boys to one girl. There is always a female instructor.

You say you provide transportation. Where to/from? Our pick-up/drop-off spots are San Francisco’s Mission Cliffs Climbing Gym and the San Jose REI. We also make an airport/hotel stop at the San Jose Int’l. Airport for out-of-towners and the Clarion Hotel in San Jose. Details are provided in your Welcome Packet.

May I come with a friend? Most campers do come alone and leave with many friends. Friends are welcome, too!

Is this a competitive camp? NO WAY! We constantly downplay competition. We emphasize fun and challenge, and in no way do participants feel pressure to outperform each other. All members of the group find that they are always encouraging others and being encouraged by others. Our instructors also pride themselves on their ability to be extremely supportive, helping climbers push themselves while having fun.

Do I need previous climbing experience? No. Our High Sierran Rock Camps are appropriate for beginners and those who are new to outdoor climbing (with a gym background). However, we do recommend that you go at least once to an indoor climbing gym (or outdoors, if you’re lucky), so you know that you have a genuine interest in rock climbing before coming to this camp. We recommend our bouldering camps, however, only to those who have a strong interest and solid foundation in bouldering, since the areas we go to are technical. Boulderers should be motivated enough to boulder for many hours a day, several days in a row.

What if I have a lot of climbing experience? Although our group climbs together, we accommodate ALL levels through 5.13. The climbing at all the areas we go to is world-class and unbeatable. Please see the course descriptions for the technical skills taught.

What if I have a lot of bouldering experience? The bouldering areas we go to (either Castle Rock or numerous areas on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains -- the location depends on which camp you attend) are all quite challenging and technical. The countless problems range from moderate to Sharma-stumpers (in other words, done only by a handful of people in the world).

Where do your summer camps take place?Our High Sierra Rock Camp and High Sierra Bouldering Camp take place at Courtright Reservoir, one of the most amazing climbing areas in the High Sierra. It is located east of Fresno, off Highway 168, 25 miles east of Shaver Lake. Our East Side Mega-Crankin' Bouldering Camp takes place at a number of different bouldering areas on the magical east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Bishop, Calif.

How much climbing gear do I need? We supply all climbing gear including your helmet, harness, and belay device, unless you have your own (which we must approve). You need to bring your own climbing shoes. Please check with us if you have other climbing gear that you would like to bring.

How much camping gear do I need? We provide spacious tents. You need to bring a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a pillow, clothing, toiletries, etc. The Welcome Packet has a detailed packing list. On our bouldering camps, we also provide crash pads.