Available Times: Year Round
Starting Times: 8AM
Duration: 3 Days
Age requirements: 18+
Take your climbing instruction skills to the next level with our AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program, the only internationally recognized certification for single pitch climbing instructors in the U.S. This program is designed for experienced climbers who have a passion for teaching and want to safely and effectively lead climbing sessions in a single pitch environment.
The SPI Program is part of the larger AMGA Rock Guide program, providing an excellent foundation for those looking to pursue higher-level guide certifications. With expert instruction, hands-on experience, and a comprehensive curriculum, this program will equip you with the technical skills, teaching techniques, and risk management strategies needed to confidently instruct beginner climbers.
Program Benefits:
Not at all! This experience is designed for beginners and intermediate adventurers. Our guides will teach you the basics of rappelling, including proper technique, safety procedures, and how to control your descent. Whether you're new to outdoor adventures or looking to improve your skills, this course is for you.
We provide all the essential climbing and rappelling gear, including helmets, harnesses, and ropes. You should bring:
We closely monitor weather conditions. If it’s unsafe to rappel due to rain or storms, we will either reschedule your session or offer a refund. Our team will contact you in advance to discuss options. Safety is always our top priority!
Deep Water Soloing (DWS) is a unique form of rock climbing done over deep water without ropes or harnesses—if you fall, you land in the water! No prior climbing experience is necessary. Our guides will help you choose routes that match your comfort and skill level, so both beginners and experienced climbers can enjoy the adventure.
Yes! Safety is our top priority. Our expert guides select routes with appropriate water depth, ensuring a safe landing area. We also provide life vests and will guide you on the best falling techniques. If you’re unsure, you can always climb lower and gradually build confidence.
We provide the boat, climbing access, and all safety equipment. You should bring:
Yes, but we do recommend that participants feel comfortable in deep water. You’ll be wearing a life vest if needed, and our guides will ensure you feel safe at all times. You can always start with lower climbs and jumps to build confidence before trying more challenging routes.
Weather conditions are closely monitored before each trip. If conditions aren’t safe (e.g., storms or strong winds), we will reschedule your tour or offer a refund. Our team will communicate with you in advance to make the best decision for your experience.
Some prior climbing experience is recommended. Ideally, participants should be comfortable with top-rope climbing and basic belaying techniques before learning to lead climb. If you’re new to outdoor climbing, we suggest taking our Beginner Climbing Course first to build foundational skills.
While lead climbing carries more risk than top-roping, our expert guides ensure safety is the top priority. You will learn proper fall techniques, clipping methods, and anchor cleaning to minimize risk. Our courses are taught by AMGA-certified instructors, and we take a hands-on approach to safety training before you start leading routes.
We provide all necessary gear, including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and belay devices. If you have your own climbing gear (quickdraws, rope, harness, etc.), you’re welcome to bring it, and our guides can check it for safety. Be sure to wear comfortable climbing clothes, bring plenty of water, and climbing shoes suitable for outdoor rock surfaces.
Absolutely! Many of our participants have only climbed indoors before transitioning to outdoor sport climbing. This course is perfect for gym climbers looking to climb outside, as we cover all the essential differences between indoor and outdoor lead climbing, including route reading, clipping techniques, fall safety, and outdoor ethics.
By the end of the course, you will have hands-on experience with lead climbing, belaying a leader, catching falls, and cleaning an anchor. While some climbers feel confident leading right away, we encourage practicing with experienced partners until you feel fully comfortable. Our guides will give personalized feedback to help you assess when you’re ready to lead climb independently.
Since trad climbing requires more technical skills than sport climbing, we recommend participants have prior experience with top-rope climbing and basic lead climbing. If you are new to outdoor climbing, we suggest starting with our Beginner or Lead Climbing Course before moving on to trad climbing.
This course is designed to teach essential trad climbing skills, including:
By the end of the course, you’ll have hands-on experience and the confidence to start leading your own trad climbs safely.
Trad climbing can be more physically and mentally challenging than sport climbing since it requires gear placement while climbing. However, our guides will tailor the course to your ability level and ensure a comfortable pace. If you can confidently top-rope or sport climb outdoors, you should be well-prepared for this course.
No, we provide all necessary trad climbing gear, including cams, nuts, slings, and carabiners. If you have your own gear, you are welcome to bring it, and our guides will check it for safety and proper use. You should bring your own climbing shoes, helmet, harness, and belay device, or let us know if you need rentals.
By the end of this course, you will have practiced placing gear, building anchors, and leading a trad route under the guidance of our expert instructors. While some climbers feel ready to start leading on their own, we always recommend gaining additional experience with an experienced partner before attempting difficult or multi-pitch trad climbs independently.
Since multi-pitch climbing requires advanced technical skills, prior experience with lead climbing and anchor building is recommended. If you’re comfortable with single-pitch sport or trad climbing and want to progress to bigger routes, this course is the perfect next step.
This course covers all the essential techniques for safe and efficient multi-pitch climbing, including:
By the end of the course, you’ll feel confident in tackling multi-pitch routes on your own or with a partner.
Multi-pitch climbing requires good endurance and comfort with sustained climbing. Since you’ll be climbing multiple rope lengths in a row, you should be able to climb at least 5.7–5.9 confidently on top rope. If you’re unsure, our instructors can tailor the experience to match your fitness and skill level.v
No, we provide all necessary climbing gear, including ropes, harnesses, belay devices, and helmets. However, if you have your own lead climbing gear, trad protection, or personal harness, you are encouraged to bring it, and our guides can check it for safety and proper use.
By the end of the course, you’ll have hands-on experience with belay transitions, anchor setups, and rappelling techniques under expert supervision. While many climbers feel confident leading their own multi-pitch climbs afterward, we always recommend starting with an experienced partner before attempting more complex routes.
The trip is designed for a range of skill levels, from intermediate climbers looking to gain multi-pitch experience to more advanced climbers wanting a guided adventure. If you can comfortably climb 5.8–5.9 routes outdoors, you’ll have plenty of options. Our guides tailor the climbs to each participant’s ability level, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
This all-inclusive trip covers:
You'll only need to book your flight and bring your personal climbing gear.
Yes! El Potrero Chico is a well-known international climbing destination with a welcoming and vibrant climbing community. Our guides have extensive experience in the area, ensuring you have a safe, well-organized trip. We also help with transportation, lodging, and local recommendations to make your experience stress-free.
Required gear includes:
If you don’t have all the gear, we can help you rent or borrow necessary equipment.
Our team arranges group transportation from the airport to El Potrero Chico and back. Most climbers fly into Monterrey International Airport (MTY), and we coordinate pickup to get you to Hidalgo, Mexico, where we stay during the trip. Once there, we provide daily transport to climbing areas.
Not at all! This scheduled Group Beginner Climbing Clinic is designed specifically for beginners with little to no prior climbing experience. Our expert instructors will guide you through the basics, including climbing techniques, safety protocols, and how to use gear properly. You’ll learn in a supportive group setting, where you can meet new people and build a sense of community. Clinics are held on specific dates. If you’re looking for a private climbing experience on a different date, please check out our Beginner Climbing Course.
Our goal with clinics is to offer the same high-quality experience as our private courses, but in a group setting. There are multiple advantages to this, including:
If you prefer a one-on-one or private group session, you can book a Beginner Climbing Course for a customized experience.
We provide all the essential climbing gear, including helmets, harnesses, climbing shoes, and ropes. You should bring:
Yes! Safety is our top priority. Our instructors are AMGA-certified and will teach you proper climbing techniques, how to use safety equipment, and best practices for minimizing risk. We focus on hands-on instruction in a controlled environment, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous! Our guides specialize in helping first-time climbers feel comfortable and confident. You’ll start with easy climbs, and we’ll provide encouragement and coaching to help you gradually overcome any fear. Many beginners surprise themselves with how much they enjoy it!
Absolutely! Our beginner clinics are family-friendly and perfect for all ages (typically ages 7 and up). Our instructors adjust their teaching style to ensure both kids and adults have a fun, safe, and engaging experience. It’s a great way for families to learn and adventure together!
Yes, this clinic is designed for climbers who already have experience with top-rope climbing and basic outdoor climbing techniques. If you’ve led a few routes before but want to refine your skills—or if you’ve only climbed indoors and are ready to transition to outdoor lead climbing—this clinic is perfect for you. If you’re new to climbing, we recommend starting with our Beginner Climbing Course before taking this clinic. Clinics are held on specific dates. If you want a private lead climbing course on a different date, check out our Advanced Lead Climbing Course.
Our clinics are scheduled group sessions, allowing climbers to learn in a community-driven environment while benefiting from group pricing. The advantages of a clinic include:
If you prefer one-on-one instruction or need flexibility in scheduling, we recommend booking our Advanced Lead Climbing Course, which offers a more personalized experience.
This clinic is designed to take your lead climbing to the next level by covering:
By the end of the clinic, you’ll have hands-on experience that will prepare you to confidently lead outdoor sport climbs on your own.
We provide ropes, quickdraws, and anchor gear, but you should bring:
If you don’t have all the gear, let us know, and we’ll help you with rentals or recommendations.
Lead climbing requires more endurance and strength than top-rope climbing, as you’ll be placing gear and managing rope while climbing. You should be comfortable climbing 5.8–5.10 routes before joining. However, our instructors will tailor the climbs to the group’s ability level, ensuring a challenging but manageable learning experience.
Yes, this clinic is designed for climbers who already have experience with lead climbing and anchor building. If you’re transitioning from sport climbing to trad or want to refine your gear placement and multi-pitch skills, this clinic is perfect for you. Clinics are held on specific dates. If you want a private trad climbing course on a different date, check out our Advanced Traditional Climbing Course.
Our clinics are scheduled group sessions, allowing climbers to learn in a community-driven environment while benefiting from group pricing. The advantages of a clinic include:
If you prefer one-on-one instruction or need flexibility in scheduling, we recommend booking our Advanced Traditional Climbing Course, which offers a more personalized experience.
This clinic focuses on advanced trad climbing techniques, including:
By the end of the clinic, you’ll have hands-on experience that will prepare you to lead trad routes confidently and safely.
We provide ropes, quickdraws, and anchor-building gear, but you should bring:
If you don’t have a full trad rack, let us know—we can provide gear or help you learn with what’s available.
Trad climbing requires good endurance, strength, and mental focus, as you’ll be placing protection while climbing. You should be comfortable climbing 5.8–5.10 routes before joining. However, our instructors will tailor the climbs to the group’s ability level, ensuring a challenging but manageable learning experience.
This clinic is designed for experienced climbers who want to develop essential skills to handle emergencies in the outdoors. If you lead sport or trad routes, climb multipitch, or simply want to be more self-sufficient in remote areas, this course will prepare you to manage unexpected situations safely. Clinics are held on specific dates.
Unlike basic climbing safety courses that cover belaying and falling techniques, the Self-Rescue Clinic focuses on how to get yourself and your partner out of emergencies. You’ll learn:
This clinic teaches you how to respond if something goes wrong rather than just preventing accidents.
You don’t need to be an elite climber, but you must be comfortable with outdoor climbing fundamentals. At minimum, you should know how to:
If you're new to outdoor climbing, we recommend taking our Beginner or Trad Climbing Course first before attending this clinic.
We provide ropes and technical gear, but you should bring:
If you don’t have all the necessary gear, let us know—we can provide rentals or recommendations.
The Self-Rescue Clinic is more about technical skills and problem-solving than pure climbing strength. You’ll practice rescues on the ground and in controlled climbing environments, but you should be comfortable spending long periods on rope and handling climbing gear efficiently.
Our camp is designed for kids ages 9 to 17, with instruction tailored to different skill levels. Whether your child is a total beginner or already has climbing experience, they will receive age-appropriate guidance in a safe and supportive environment. Camps are scheduled on specific dates. Please see our current schedule and locations.
Absolutely! Safety is our top priority. Our instructors are highly trained and follow strict AMGA-certified climbing safety protocols. Kids will use helmets, harnesses, and climbing ropes at all times, and our staff provides constant supervision to ensure they are safe while learning and having fun.
Each day is a mix of climbing, outdoor adventure, and skill-building. A typical day includes:
Campers will visit different outdoor climbing locations throughout the week, such as Reimer’s Ranch, Barton Creek, and Enchanted Rock.
We provide all climbing gear, including ropes, harnesses, and helmets. Your child should bring:
A detailed packing list will be sent after registration.
No prior experience is required! Our camp is designed for kids of all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced climbers. Each camper will learn at their own pace with individualized instruction that helps build confidence and skills in a fun, supportive group setting.
Yes! Our Scout Troop Rock Climbing Program is designed to align with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Trail Life Scouts merit badge requirements. We have at least one Merit Badge Counselor on-site to ensure that Scouts learn and demonstrate the necessary skills, including:
While we cover all essential climbing skills, some troops may need to complete additional classroom portions separately to fully meet BSA merit badge requirements.
Our scout climbing days are structured to balance skill-building and adventure, typically including:
We offer both recreational climbing days (for fun and team-building) and merit badge-focused days for troops working toward specific achievements.
The program fee covers all necessary climbing gear, including:
✔ Helmets
✔ Harnesses
✔ Ropes and belay devices
✔ Instruction from AMGA-certified climbing guides
Our group rate is $85 per scout with a minimum of 7 participants, and we require a $200 deposit to schedule.
We offer climbing experiences at some of the best outdoor locations in Texas, including:
Each location offers unique climbing challenges suitable for different skill levels.
Safety is our top priority. All lead instructors are at least AMGA Single Pitch Instructors, and our owner is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and SPI Provider. Our guides are experienced in working with youth groups and large troop settings, ensuring that scouts stay safe while building confidence in their climbing skills.
Rock climbing is a great way to build teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving skills in an outdoor setting. Our programs are designed to:
Many groups find that climbing strengthens bonds, improves self-confidence, and helps participants step outside their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment.
We work with a wide range of ages, from elementary school students to high school and college groups. Our instructors tailor the experience to the participants’ ages and abilities to ensure a fun, safe, and educational experience for everyone.
Yes! Safety is our top priority. All participants wear harnesses and helmets, and our guides are AMGA-certified with years of experience working with youth and large groups. We ensure:
No prior climbing experience is needed—our guides will teach everything from the ground up!
Our climbing programs take place at various outdoor climbing locations, including:
We can also coordinate programs at locations that fit your group’s needs. If you're looking for a specific location or need help with transportation planning, let us know!
Scheduling is easy! Simply contact us with:
We offer customized experiences for each group, whether it’s a one-day outing or a multi-day program. We’ll handle the logistics, provide all climbing gear, and ensure your group has an amazing experience.
The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program is designed for climbers who want to become professional climbing instructors for single-pitch outdoor climbing. This program is ideal for:
The SPI certification is the industry standard for single-pitch guiding and is recognized nationwide.
To enroll, participants must meet the following AMGA requirements:
If you’re unsure whether you meet the prerequisites, we can help you assess your experience level before enrolling.
The SPI Course provides the technical and teaching skills needed to safely instruct single-pitch climbing. Topics covered include:
This course prepares you for the SPI Assessment, which evaluates your ability to lead and teach in a professional setting.
We recommend gaining additional experience after the course before taking the assessment to improve your chances of success.
To get the most out of the SPI program, we recommend:
Our instructors can provide training recommendations to help you feel confident before your course or assessment.
The Summit Hike is a moderate to strenuous hike that ascends 425 feet over smooth granite. It’s suitable for most hikers, but the incline can be steep in some sections. The hike is less than a mile one way but requires good balance and footing on rocky terrain. If you have concerns about endurance or mobility, let us know—we can adjust the pace to suit the group.
Our Interpretive Summit Hike is more than just a hike! Our experienced guides will:
This is a perfect hike for those who want to learn about the landscape while experiencing its beauty firsthand.
We recommend bringing:
✔ Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip (avoid flip-flops or slick-bottomed shoes)
✔ Plenty of water (at least 1 liter per person)
✔ Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
✔ A small backpack to carry your essentials
✔ Snacks or a light lunch if you want to enjoy the views at the summit
Weather can change quickly at Enchanted Rock, so layered clothing is a good idea.
Yes! Many families with kids and active seniors successfully complete the hike. However, the trail is steep and can be challenging for very young children or individuals with mobility concerns. We recommend:
Enchanted Rock is known for its exposed granite, which can be dangerous when wet. If rain or severe weather is forecasted:
Your safety is our top priority, and we’ll make sure you have the best experience possible.
The AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification is the industry-standard credential for those who want to teach climbing techniques, manage risk, and lead instructional programs on indoor or artificial climbing walls. It provides over 20+ hours of expert-led training covering belaying, risk assessment, movement coaching, and group management.
This certification is perfect for individuals looking to start a career in climbing instruction or advance in the industry. It is particularly beneficial for those aspiring to work in climbing gyms, recreation centers, or coaching programs. It suits both beginners looking to teach basic techniques and experienced climbers aiming to enhance their instructional skills.
There are two certification levels in the Climbing Wall Instructor program, Top Rope and Lead. The prerequisites losted below for each certification level are the bare minimum of skills and experience needed to successfully complete CWI certification.
CWI Top Rope Certification pre-requisites:
CWI Lead Certification pre-requisites:
For more information, please see the AMGA website here.
The CWI course includes comprehensive training on:
The certification can be completed in just 2.5 days, balancing classroom learning with practical climbing instruction. This fast-paced, intensive training ensures you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently instruct climbers of all levels.
Yes, the AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification is widely recognized and trusted by climbing gyms nationwide. It is the industry-standard credential, enhancing your resume and opening doors to opportunities in climbing instruction, management, and coaching.
With the CWI Certification, you can pursue various roles in the climbing industry, including:
This certification equips you with the expertise and credibility needed to stand out in the rapidly growing indoor climbing industry.
Rock-About Has been providing Austin tours since 2001 and our AMGA certified guides have a perfect safety record. Your having a great time is our mission and we have a ton of reviews that reflect our ability. Join us right in the middle of Austin for a great climbing adventure.
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