Rock climbing instruction & guiding
in the Appalachians and elsewhere.
Get Outside!
This all began as a love for climbing and nature. The Appalachian Climbing School invites you to come experience the power of transformative spaces and feel the difference for yourself.
introductory climbing courses
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Intro to Outdoor climbing
Learn to climb outside! We’ll cover all the basic skills and techniques needed to climb outdoors. Topics such as risk management, Leave No Trace, climbing movement, equipment, knots, and belaying will be covered. New appreciations for our partners and the outdoors will be explored while we practice climbing on real rock.
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trad climbing basics
Get started with traditional climbing by learning the basics such as: racking, removing gear placements, sling craft, anchor building, following pitches, and rappelling.
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Intro to Alpine
Learn the basics for moving quickly in big mountain terrain. Tap into the experience we’ve gained by working in the Rocky Mountains and Cascades ranges.
AMGA INstructor programs
Single Pitch Instructor Course
The Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Course teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting.
Single pitch instructor exam
The assessment is for those who have already taken their SPI Course and are ready to take the assessment. AMGA SPI Exams are based primarily in North Carolina but are also administered around the Southern Appalachians.
About us & Who we are
Appalachian Climbing School was founded by Wesley Calkins. It was founded by a simple premise: the environment, the culture, and the diversity of climbing in and around the Appalachian Mountains are and should always be a treasure for the whole world.
Contact Us.
Questions about our courses? Reach out to us by submitting a form, or email wes@appalachianclimbing.com