self rescue 201

LOCATION: Joshua Tree, Big Bear, Tahquitz, San Diego, Mammoth Lakes, Eastern Sierra

COURSE LENGTH: 2 DAY (16 HOURS)

**Private courses can also be held in the Greater Los Angeles area & Alabama Hills - Message for custom pricing.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Build the skills and judgment to respond when unforeseen situations arise in multi pitch and alpine terrain. This two-day course combines risk-management discussions with guided, hands-on rescue practice.

For intermediate to experienced outdoor climbers – work through rescue systems step by step, using scenarios from your own climbing experience and our guide team. Develop your ability to recognize risk, work with your team, and apply technical rescue skills.

  • Self Rescue 201 is a two-day interactive course for intermediate to experienced outdoor climbers. Through discussion and hands-on instruction, you’ll develop a working understanding of risk management in a high-angle environment and practice approaching a rescue with your team.

    Bring one or two scenarios that have happened, or might happen, while climbing. These and scenarios from our guides will help build a framework for recognizing risk and developing technical rescue skills. Scheduled courses take place in Joshua Tree National Park, with private programs also available.

    PREREQUISITES
    Bottom belay and top-rope climbing experience
    Lead belaying experience
    Lead climbing experience (preferred but not mandatory)
    Traditional gear placement (preferred but not mandatory)
    Multi pitch following experience (preferred but not mandatory)

  • DAY 1
    Introductions and course expectations
    Discussion of objective hazards, terrain, and risk management
    Review and discussion of anchors and hands-on anchor building
    Review of equipment used for self rescue and appropriate applications
    Discussion and demonstration of rappelling and lowering systems
    Discussion and demonstration of ascending a rope
    Free climb
    Debrief

    DAY 2
    Group check-in and review from the previous day
    Process of a rescue: reviewing risk in the past and managing risk in the future
    Advanced anchoring systems review and practice
    Scenario 1: demonstration and hands-on practice
    Advanced rappelling techniques review and practice
    Scenario 2: demonstration and hands-on practice
    Additional practice from both previous scenarios
    Free climb
    Final review and debrief

  • Harness, helmet, climbing shoes (if needed)

    All climbing equipment (ropes, anchoring equipment, quickdraws, etc.)

    Professionally trained AMGA Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • This clinic is intended for intermediate to experienced outdoor climbers who want to improve high-angle risk management, problem solving, and self-rescue skills for multipitch or alpine environments.

  • Participants should review the prerequisites listed on this page and arrive with the required climbing, belaying, knot, and rope-system foundation. Contact Golden State Guiding if you are unsure whether your experience is appropriate.

  • The clinic uses discussion, demonstrations, and supervised practice to build a framework for recognizing risk and responding to rescue scenarios. Specific systems are taught progressively and applied to realistic climbing problems.

  • Yes. Students are encouraged to bring one or two situations they have experienced or could encounter while climbing. These scenarios may be incorporated with guide-selected examples during the clinic.

  • Prescheduled clinics are two-day programs in Joshua Tree National Park. Private clinic options may be arranged when scheduled dates do not work, subject to guide availability and suitable conditions.

  • The clinic runs for two days, totaling approximately sixteen hours. Included equipment and required personal gear are listed in the course details and confirmed before the program.