Toprope Anchor Building

Your first step toward becoming and independent outdoor climber.
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Toprope Anchor Building
Your first step toward becoming and independent outdoor climber.

Would you like to get out climbing on your own?  Setting up secure, solid and safe toprope anchors is your first step toward becoming a confident independent climber.

 

In this full day intensive course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of site selection, how to safely access the top of the cliff and confidently build top rope anchors on bolts as well as natural features.

 

You want to get out climbing with your friends and toproping is a great way to break into the outdoors.  But your life literally depends upon having a solid anchor for your day out.  Learn from the professionals the best ways to stay safe while having fun.

 

This course is a fantastic foundation for any of our other courses.  If you’re looking to have the freedom to get out climbing on your own, this is the course for you.

Cost per Climber*
$199
One on One
By Arrangement. Please Inquire.

*this price reflects a minimum enrollment of two participants.

This is a group course that runs on pre-scheduled dates.

 

Current Dates:  None Scheduled, however…

 

Want to schedule a date of your own choosing?  We can arrange to run this course on dates that work for you*.

 

Send us a message and we’ll see if we can make it work!

 

*may require a minimum number of participants

This is a full day intensive program.  The day starts at 8am and typically runs until 5pm, but may continue until dark.

 

Please block out your entire day.

The emphasis of this course is on education and learning rather than a day of hard climbing.  As such, it is open to all levels of fitness.

 

You should be prepared and able to spend a long day outdoors, but the climbing and hiking will be very mellow.

 

We remain flexible throughout the day to respond to energy levels and ability on a moment-by-moment basis.  You’re in great hands with our guides.

This program is open to all climbers with basic climbing experience (how to tie in, basic commands and how to toprope belay).  There is no minimum climbing grade required.

 

While participants will end up climbing a bit throughout the day, this course is built around education rather than a day out climbing.

 

Prior experience outside will be helpful, but not necessary.

More Details

Location
Northwest & Central Vermont (other locations by request)
Skill Level
Some climbing experience required (must be comfortable with basic climbing, belaying and commands)
Duration
Full Day
Ages
18+, under 18 with parent/guardian consent and guide approval.
What's Covered?
Curriculum

Toprope climbing is one of the most accessible and safe forms of climbing.  For many, it’s provides the most enjoyable experience.  But absolutely everything depends upon the quality of your anchors.  Build them well and you’ll have years of enjoyment taking friends and family out to experience the thrill of climbing.  Build them poorly and the results are catastrophic.

This course provides a hands-on environment in which to learn the fundamental principles of building toprope anchors using bolts and natural features.   With the skills learned in this course, you can be confident that you’ll be practicing safe principles, assuring you a lifetime of exceptional outdoor climbing experiences.

Some of what you’ll learn in this course:

  • Essential Knots & Hitches

  • Gear Essentials

  • Bolted Top Rope Anchors

  • Anchors on Natural Features

  • Combining Techniques

  • Extending Anchors

  • Edge Considerations

  • Ground Anchors

  • Principles of Load Distribution & Vector Angles

  • Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

  • Bolt Safety Inspection

  • Leave No Trace Principles

  • How to “Clean” an Anchor

  • Finding Safe & Appropriate Climbs

  • Safely Access the Top & Edge of Cliffs

  • Environmental Risks (and how to protect yourself)

During the program, you’ll have an opportunity to build and climb on your own anchors under the supervision of an experienced guide.  By the end of the day, you’ll have the confidence to venture out on your own knowing that you’re armed with the right tools, techniques and talent necessary to safely setup a toprope climb.

Additional

This program is open to all climbers with basic climbing experience (how to tie in, basic commands and how to toprope belay).  There is no minimum climbing grade required.

 

While participants will end up climbing a bit throughout the day, this course is built around education rather than a day out climbing.

 

Prior experience outside will be helpful, but not necessary.

A full list of suggested gear will be provided in your pre-trip planning packet that you receive after booking your adventure with us.  But in general, most trips require a similar setup, as follows:

 

You should be prepared with clothing appropriate to the weather that allows good freedom of movement.

 

If you have your own personal rock climbing gear (shoes, harness, helmet, chalk bag) you’ll probably want to use that.  But if you do not have that gear, we’re happy to provide it for you.  Simply let us know during the trip planning process.

 

We also recommend:

 

  • Long Pants
  • Closed-Toe Shoes
  • Small Backpack
  • Lunck & Snacks
  • Water (1 liter minimum)
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Bug Spray

Transportation to and from the meeting location is not included, but carpools can often be arranged.

 

Depending upon location and plans for the day, guides will meet up with clients in a variety of locations to start the day, including a convenient local cafe that serves as a rendezvous point, the trailhead to the cliff, or at the crag itself.

 

All details, from carpooling options, meeting locations and start times will be covered in your pre-trip email provided by your guide.

For clients that are coming in from any distance and are making a significant investment in their guided or educational experience in the form of money, time and travel, we recommend acquiring trip insurance.

 

Trip insurance is by no means required, but when we ourselves travel we find peace of mind knowing that we have coverage should the worst happen.

 

A good travel insurance policy will cover trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, lost or damaged gear and luggage, evacuations and medical expenses.  While we don’t endorse any particular insurance company, nor do we have any relationship with any of the companies, we ourselves have used World Nomads and have had great experiences.  They are affordable, easy to deal with (and we’ve had to use our insurance before, so we speak from experience), and cover all of the adventure activities that we offer.

 

Regardless of which company you choose, many clients find that having travel insurance to cover their investment and well-being helps them sleep at night.

Once you’ve connected with us and we’ve locked in your dates and details, we will issue an invoice.

 

We require 100% payment at the time of your booking.

 

Payment can be made by a variety of methods, including PayPal (debit and credit cards), Venmo, check or cash (if you are local).  All details will be outlined in the invoice that will be issued.

 

Question:  Should I tip my guide / instructor?

Answer:  Guiding is a part of the service economy, and much like at a restaurant, offering a gratuity (or “tip”) for your guide’s services is customary, though certainly not mandatory.  If all you can afford is the purchase price of the adventure, our guides understand.  But we do work hard to make sure that you have the most enjoyable time outdoors with us, and always maintain the highest professional standards and certifications so that you are in the safest hands in the industry.  If you had a good day out, feel that the guide did a good job, and have the ability to do so, tipping your guide is always appreciated.  Much like other service industry jobs, a gratuity of 20% is a common benchmark for a job well done.

Cancellations and changes happen.  We get it.  If you need to cancel or change your trip for any reason, please be advised of our policies.  Cancellations of:​

 

  • 30 days or more prior to your trip will receive a full refund minus a 25% booking and administration fee.
  • No refunds will be given for cancellations of 15 – 30  days prior, but you will receive a 50% credit*.
  • Cancellations of 14 days or less will receive no refund and no credit.

Programs will not be cancelled due to weather conditions unless the weather has been deemed unsafe for the scheduled activity by Remarkably Human Adventures.  If this occurs and the trip is cancelled by Remarkably Human Adventures, the opportunity to reschedule will be offered or a full refund will be issued.

 

Refunds will be issued via the same method by which they were originally paid.

 

*credit valid for one year

Included
  • AMGA Certified Guide
  • All Technical Climbing Equipment (ropes, draws, slings, etc.)
  • Helmet (for those that don’t have one)
Not Included
  • Personal Climbing Gear, Including:
  • Harness, Shoes, Chalk Bag, Belay Device
  • Lunch / Snacks / Water
  • Transportation
  • Parking Permits (typically not required)
  • Guide Gratuity
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We are based in beautiful

Burlington, Vermont

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While our programs take us all over the country, we are proud to call Vermont home.

Not only is Vermont a beautiful state, it provides us easy access to the best climbing in the Northeast, including the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Adirondacks in New York, and of course the Green Mountains right at our doorstep.

As climbers, we proudly support our local climbing organizations and are advocates for conscientious access to the outdoors, conservation of our land and resources and the protection of our wildlife.

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