Rock Climbing

Intro to Rock Climbing

Peak Recovery’s FREE 4-week Intro to Rock Climbing (IRC) course provides students with a comprehensive foundation of rock climbing skills and knowledge to confidently climb single pitch rock climbs outside and in the gym. This course is open to anyone who identifies as being in mental health and/or substance use recovery. Students will learn how to belay and rappel, tie important climbing knots, practice climbing movement, and experience outdoor climbing at 4 different locations near Portland. In addition, this class will emphasize the importance of Leave No Trace etiquette, crag stewardship, honoring the Native history of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of creating a supportive and empowering climbing community. This beginner-friendly course is designed for people of all ability levels with no previous climbing experience.

This course includes 4 weekday skills sessions at Mazamas Mountaineering Center and 4 outdoor weekend field sessions. Students will have the opportunity to build skills in an indoor classroom environment and then directly practice those skills outside on real rock. Class cohorts will consist of up to 10 students, a course leader, and a team of assistant instructors. Due to limited class size and high demand, we only accept applicants who are able to attend all course sessions, including the online student info session.

Students are required to provide their own rock climbing harness and rock climbing shoes (or tennis shoes) for this course. All other gear will be provided by Peak Recovery.

When completing an application, please fill out both waivers below (blue buttons):

Applications for our June 2024 course will open in Spring 2024.

Course Information

  • • Rock climbing harness (students required to purchase or rent)
    • Rock climbing shoes or tennis shoes (students are strongly encouraged to purchase or rent rock climbing shoes for this course)
    • Rock climbing helmet (optional for students to purchase — Peak Recovery has helmets available for students to borrow)
    •Backpack
    • During our Online Student Info Session, the course leader will provide more information and guidance on gear purchases. We encourage students to wait to purchase gear until after this session.

    *We encourage participants to wait until after the first course session to purchase or rent gear so the course instructor can answer questions and provide guidance on where/what to buy.

  • Friday, June 7, 2024 : 6:30 - 9pm
    Skills Practice Session #1
    Meeting Location : Mazamas Mountaineering Center

    Sunday, June 9, 2024 : 7:45am – 5pm (All Day)
    Outdoor Climb Session #1
    Meeting Location : TBD

    Friday, June 14, 2024 : 6:30 – 9pm
    Skills Practice Session #2
    Meeting Location : Mazamas Mountaineering Center

    Sunday, June 16, 2024 : 7:45am – 5pm (All Day)
    Outdoor Climb Session #2
    Meeting Location : TBD

    Friday, June 21, 2024 : 6:30 – 9pm
    Skills Practice Session #3
    Meeting Location : Mazamas Mountaineering Center

    Sunday, June 23, 2024 : 7:45am – 5pm (All Day)
    Outdoor Climb Session #3
    Meeting Location : TBD

    Friday, June 28, 2024 : 6:30 – 9pm
    Skills Practice Session #4
    Meeting Location : Mazamas Mountaineering Center

    Sunday, June 30, 2024 :
    Outdoor Climb Session #4
    Meeting Location : TBD

Intro to Rock Climbing Course Leader: Sarah Lydecker

Follow our us on Instagram @peakrecoverypnw to stay up to date on future courses.

“Climbing has helped me realize that what is possible to achieve in life is so much greater than I once believed. That taking one small step at a time, over and over again, can pave the way to increased comfort in my body and mind.”
— Sarah Lydecker, Peak Recovery Rock Climbing Instructor

“When people say, "It can't be done," or "You don't have what it takes," it makes the task all the more interesting.”

~ Lynn Hill