Group Courses
We provide drop-in group courses, such as group hikes, climbing clinics, and open cragging days. They’re a great way to get instruction on specific skills or tick off peaks with other hikers.
We’re also proud to support the ADK Climb Club, a local group meetup every Wednesday evening at 5:45pm — year-round! — for rock climbing, ice climbing, or bouldering. Need to borrow gear for the club? We provide it for free. Just reach out ahead of time.
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We pick a peak and climb it! We rotate through many of the High Peaks to help aspiring 46ers work through their tick list. These courses are also great for folks looking for camaraderie and new friends to explore the High Peaks. Spots are limited!
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Some of the mountain ranges are difficult to bag all in one day. For those, we offer group overnight backpacking courses. We’ll establish a campsite and attempt our peaks from there. Also great for hikers looking to hone their camping skills.
Possible trips: Seward Range, Great Range, Dix Range.
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Join a fun, beginner-friendly day of outdoor rock climbing in the heart of the Adirondacks! Whether you’re new to climbing or looking to brush up on your technique, this guided group outing is a great way to get on real rock, meet fellow adventurers, and experience the beauty of the High Peaks region. All equipment provided — just bring your sense of adventure!
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Join our Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing course in Lake Placid! Learn the basics of rock climbing movement, belaying, and the importance of good communication while enjoying a natural setting and incredible views in the heart of the Adirondacks. This course requires a 2-person minimum. Consider booking a private climbing session for one-on-one instruction for yourself or your group.
Learn to rock climb from our rock guides in Lake Placid
Whether you're brand new to climbing or looking to make the jump from the gym to the crag, our professional rock instructors are here to show you the way! This one-day course will introduce you to the joys of rock climbing in the beautiful Adirondacks and equip you with important fundamental skills to begin your rock climbing journey.
Beginner Rock Climbing Skills Covered
- Climbing movement, including crack, face, slab and lieback technique
- Crag safety and risk management
- Basic principles of climbing technical systems and ropework
- Belaying a climber in a top rope system
- Rappelling, utilizing a backup
- Proper belayer/climber commands
- Leave No Trace ethics in a crag environmentPrerequisites: No previous climbing experience necessary, but indoor gym experience will be helpful.
Missing any of the necessary gear to join us? Onward Mountain Guides provides rental gear at no additional charge. You just need to bring your enthusiasm to learn, and we'll provide the rest.
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Take your climbing beyond the bolts. This one-day clinic introduces the fundamentals of traditional climbing with a focus on gear placement, anchor building, and leading techniques (with backup systems in place). You’ll work hands-on with cams, nuts, and slings while building anchors and practicing the mental and technical skills needed for leading on gear.
Who it’s for: Climbers with outdoor top-rope or sport experience who are ready to explore the world of trad. Not suitable for first-time outdoor climbers.
Group size is limited to 4 participants to maximize individual instruction and practice.
Itinerary (1 Day)
Morning Session
Gear overview: cams, nuts, passive/active protection
Gear placement practice at ground level
Anchor-building principles
Mock anchors and equalization practice
Afternoon Session
Mock leading with backup belays
Placing gear on route under supervision
Anchor assessment and cleaning
Wrap-up with Q&A and progression steps
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Come spend two days sampling some of the Adirondacks’ finest rock climbs with Onward Mountain Guides! We’ll kick things off with a sampler of single-pitch classics in Keene Valley before stepping it up to multi-pitch routes on day two. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your technique with pro tips from a licensed guide, gain confidence on longer climbs, and get a taste of why the Adirondacks are one of the East’s premier climbing destinations.
Optional: Add on camping with your guide for the full adventure weekend vibe. We'll set up camp at the base of the crag, share dinner, commune around the campfire, and swap stories under the stars.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Warm up on single-pitch gems in Keene Valley—perfect for dialing in movement and anchor systems.
Day 2: Take it higher with multi-pitch climbs. Learn the ropes of efficient transitions and rappelling while enjoying classic Adirondack exposure.
Possible routes and crags: Pete's Farewell on Pitchoff Chimney Cliff, Regular Route on Chapel Pond Slab, The Sword at the Beer Walls, North Country Club Crack at Jewels & Gems, and many more!
We’re adding new courses and dates all the time, so check back often! Or sign up for our email list below to always be in the know.
Reservation Policy
The Book a Trip form indicates your interest in reserving a trip with us and gives us enough info to start building your trip plan, but it doesn’t guarantee a spot will be available. We’ll get back to you as promptly as possible (usually 1-3 business days) to confirm if a trip on your preferred date is available.
After your itinerary has been set, Onward Mountain Guides will send an invoice for payment. The deposit is due upon receipt of the invoice, and payment of the remaining balance is due 7 days ahead of the start of your trip.
Trip requests are not considered booked and the dates are not reserved for you until the deposit has been paid.
Cancellation Policy
If a trip is canceled, at the guide’s discretion, due to weather or unfavorable conditions, a full refund will be issued.
If you cancel, for any reason, a refund or credit will be issued according to the following conditions:
Cancellations made 8 or more days out from the start of the trip will receive a full refund, including the deposit.
Cancellations made within 7 days of the start of the trip will forfeit the deposit.
We’ve done our best to make this respectful and fair. When you book your trip, our guides commit to it for their schedule, spend time preparing, and count on that income. Last-minute changes are disruptive, and it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to rebook your day with someone else.
Looking for something else?
Every client and trip is unique, and I understand that your vision for the perfect adventure may not align with the pre-defined trip plans. Don’t worry! I love a challenge and am more than happy to create a custom trip just for you. Reach out to me, and we’ll collaborate to develop a trip plan that caters to your goals or those of your group.