Joshua Tree Top-Rope Anchors
December 5th — 6th, 2026
Do you want the skills to climb independently in Joshua Tree without having to lead scary, runout trad routes? One of my favorite things about climbing in this area is the accessibility of top-roping. With some specialized techniques and a little local beta, it’s possible to scramble up granite domes and set up top-ropes on countless world-class climbs.
Over two days, you’ll learn to build complex top-rope anchors using static rope, trad gear, natural protection, and bolts. We’ll cover the basics of placing trad gear, learn methods for protecting ourselves near cliff edges, and practice rappelling down routes.
At a Glance:
Dates: December 5th — 6th, 2026 (private dates may be available upon request)
Ratio: 5:1 max climber to guide ratio
Price: $385 / person
Minimum enrollment: 2 participants
Curriculum
Day One – Building Skills
Use and care of materials
Knots and hitches
Trad gear fundamentals
Anchor basics
Intro to rappelling
Day Two – Putting it all together
Using static rope to set-up complex top-rope anchors
Transitioning to rappel from a static line
Advanced rappel techniques
Considerations for directionals
Plenty of practice setting up your own anchors!
Climber Guidelines
This course is ideal for climbers who have been top-roping outside and have basic top-rope belay skills. Climbers will be most successful if they are able to comfortably scramble in 3rd class terrain. If you are wondering whether this course is a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out!
What’s Included
Ropes, trad gear, anchoring materials
Personal climbing gear (helmets, shoes, harnesses) available upon request
Instruction and guiding
What’s Not Included
Transportation and parking pass
Food and lodging
Contact me to sign up!
Fill out the form below to sign up for this course. I’ll be in touch shortly to confirm your spot and send you an invoice. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!