Rumney NH Experience Series

 Format: 1 indoor free climb and briefing session + 1 full outdoor field day
Max group size: 6 students (1:6 guide ratio)
Pre-req: 

Must be Lead Certified at Climbing Gym

Course Dates: 

• November 5th for indoor session with Bouldering Project

• November 7th Outdoor Climbing session at Rumney, NH

Course Purpose

Many gym climbers underestimate the differences between indoor and outdoor climbing. This course bridges the gap by teaching climbers how to transfer their lead belay and climbing skills into the outdoor environment, with a focus on safety, judgment, and technical competence.
By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Lead Climb more confidently indoors. 

• Understanding outside climbing systems

• Move securely and confidently on TR and Lead (Progression) 

• Belay outdoors with competence (including anchor-based belays).

• Make informed decisions about risk, weather, and route choice.

• Practice stewardship and ethics as members of the climbing community.

• Practice excellent Expedition Behavior 

 What’s Included

• Transportation from Boston to the Crag.

• Technical climbing gear (ropes, draws, spare helmets).

• Cooler with drinks (Bevi sponsor: Rainwater & Guayakí).

• Fruit & light snacks.

• Professional instruction (SPI (at least) and WFR-certified guides).

Student Responsibilities:

• Harness, climbing shoes, helmet, GriGri, rappel device.

• Personal food (rolling lunch explained in briefing).

• Appropriate layers 

• Day pack 

• Water bottle (full).

Course Run of Show: 

Part 1: Indoor Training I (3 Hours)

Location: Boulder Project Somerville
Focus: Building technical foundation & refining lead skills.

• Introductions & experience sharing.

• Wildkine History and Experience 

• Why is this class important?

• Student sharing

• Free Climb: Everyone Climb and have some fun! 

• Get to know Friday's crew! 

• Outdoor ethics & expectations briefing.

• Expedition Behavior (EB) Chat

• Crag Etiquette 

• Crag Ethics

• Gear check for outdoor session.

• A guide's pack 

• Importance of being hydrated

• Gear best practices

• How to read a TOPO: 

• Guide Book literacy

• Re-cap and Questions 

• Anything Burning?

Part 2: Outdoor Field Day (Full Day, 7 AM–5:30 PM)

Location: Hanging Mountain, Sandisfield, MA
Focus: Applying gym skills to the crag with instructor supervision.

• 7:00 AM: Meet at the gym – coffee, donuts, and equipment check.

• Transport to the crag (Bio Break en route).

• Arrival:

• Rehash EB

• Warm-up

• stretch circle

• Breathwork

• Outdoor warm-up routes (TR + easy leads).

• Rope management at the base (avoiding clusters, sharp edges).

• Lead progression:

• Route reading outdoors.

• First outdoor leads with a backup belay.

• Advanced clipping practice (overhangs, awkward stances).

• Anchors:

• Outdoor belay anchors.

• Anchor cleaning: demonstration → ground practice → student execution with backup.

• Rappelling vs. lowering — how and when applicable

• Mileage climbing: TR more challenging routes

• logbook of sends.

• Debrief at van: takeaways, mentorship opportunities, next steps.

• Verification of Competence

  Students must demonstrate:

• Safe lead belaying outdoors.

• Proper clipping and rope management.

• Building and cleaning an anchor with redundancy.

• Decision-making in route choice and risk management.

• Understanding Expedition Behavior (EB) 

• Understanding of crag ethics and LNT.