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yosemite climbing camp (6-days)
Only a few miles from Yosemite Valley is a different world. Just a short drive and almost a vertical mile higher in elevation, Tuolumne Meadows is an alpine rock climbing paradise. Giant golden domes, pine trees, and lakes—Tuolumne Meadows offers some of the finest scenery of any climbing area on the planet.
 While Half Dome is visible from Tuolumne’s higher peaks, the climbing is completely different than Yosemite Valley. Instead of smooth polished cracks and blank faces, Tuolumne has sharp, angular cracks, endless fields of knobs, golden glacier polish with incut edges, and knobby cracks that take almost any nut at almost any point. Popular in the middle of summer when Yosemite Valley can be uncomfortably hot, Tuolumne has little traffic in early and late season, and generally little traffic off of a few popular routes. And unlike the near-urban atmosphere of Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne is blissfully void of traffic, haze, and crowds.
Tuolumne Rock Climbing Info
Tuolumne Climbing Skills
Only a few miles from Yosemite Valley is a different world. Just a short drive and almost a vertical mile higher in elevation, Tuolumne Meadows is an alpine rock climbing paradise. Giant golden domes, pine trees, and lakes—Tuolumne Meadows offers some of the finest scenery of any climbing area on the planet.
While Half Dome is visible from Tuolumne’s higher peaks, the climbing is completely different than Yosemite Valley. Instead of smooth polished cracks and blank faces, Tuolumne has sharp, angular cracks, endless fields of knobs, golden glacier polish with incut edges, and knobby cracks that take almost any nut at almost any point. Popular in the middle of summer when Yosemite Valley can be uncomfortably hot, Tuolumne has little traffic in early and late season, and generally little traffic off of a few popular routes. And unlike the near-urban atmosphere of Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne is blissfully void of traffic, haze, and crowds.
Anchor Conditions
Since 1997 the American Safe Climbing Association has replaced more than 200 bolts in Tuolumne Meadows. Most popular routes have bomber belays and lead bolts. The ASCA is working to replace the remaining bad bolts in Tuolumne but many poor bolts remain. For the most up-to-date information on each route’s anchors conditions, visit the ASCA web site at www.safeclimbing.org.
Tuolumne Essentials
When to Climb
 Tuolumne has some of the best weather of any alpine rock climbing area on earth. That said, note that Tuolumne is still in a massive mountain range and receives severe thunderstorms and lightning throughout the summer.
All climbing in Tuolumne is accessed off of Highway 120. Because of its high elevation, Highway 120 east of Crane Flat and west of Lee Vining, is closed in the winter. The road closes on the first snow of the year (usually November) and opens sometime in late May or June or July, depending on the snow year (for data, click here.) During the winter, it is possible to climb in Tuolumne but very few people make the arduous ski in.
During early season, Tuolumne conditions are often the best. No crowds, no mosquitos and long days. The only problem is that many approaches may be wet or snowy, depending on the snow year. Around July 1, the crowds arrive in Tuolumne, usually with the mosquitos. The crowds are not bad relative to Yosemite, but you will probably have to wait in line for the most classic routes. The mosquitos, on the other hand, can be terrible. Be sure to bring long pants, long sleeve shirts and bug repellent. In September, the crowds and mosquitos again leave Tuolumne. While the climbing conditions are still great, the days are short and the nights are frigid.
During the summer (especially in July), thunderstorms can set in and bring rain and lightning for days. If you arrive in one of these weather patterns, consider driving either east to the Mammoth/Bishop area or west to Yosemite Valley.
Current Road and Weather
There is no specific weather report for Tuolumne so your best bet is to check the general High Sierra Weather:
Yosemite and Tuolumne road conditions — or call (209) 372-0200
Tuolumne Meadows temperatures — daily report of temperatures at Tuolumne
High Sierra weather — a good summary of high-sierra weather by www.395.com
List of opening and closing dates for the Tioga Road/120 since 1980
 Lightning Danger
Lightning tends to hit high points,trees,and water,but will hit low points next to high rocks,flat areas near tall trees,and dry land in areas with lakes. Know how to perform CPR. Unlike with nearly any other type of injury that stops the heart,electrical shock victims can suddenly awaken even after extended CPR,so CPR should be continued indefinitely.
Altitude Sickness
It takes a few days for most people to adjust to the rarefied air, so drink lots of water and don’t run around too fast if you’re just coming up from low elevations. On your first day in Tuolumne, climb a route with a short approach to let yourself acclimate.
Thunderstorms
Tuolumne has beautiful sunny weather in the summer—except for thunderstorms. Small, puffy clouds seen before 10 a.m. are a sure sign of heavy rain,hail,and worst of all,lightning. Thunderstorms usually appear in cycles,and generally during periods with hot,calm weather in the Central Valley.
Staying in the Tuolumne
Unlike the Yosemite Valley experience, Tuolumne Meadows is relatively uncrowded and serene. The meadows provides just enough basic services to comfortably camp. If you are craving some better food, more services, or just a day excursions, Lee Vining, Mono Lake and Mammoth Lakes are all less than an hour away. Read below for more specific info.
A good map of the park is available online from the park service web site.
 Food
A limited selection of high-priced groceries are available at the Tuolumne Meadows store. In addition, you can purchase groceries in Lee Vining at the Lee Vining Market.
The only prepared food in Tuolumne is at Tuolumne Meadows Grill which serves hamburgers, fries, etc. Eight miles east of Tuolumne Meadows, the Tioga Pass resort offers a cozy dinning room with a good food. Shockingly, the Mobil Gas Station, located 14 miles from Tuolumne Meadows, serves some of the best food in the area. This isn't just any gas station as at this deli you will find a great selection of sandwiches, pizza's, tacos and a variety of other savory treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bears and Marmots
In 1998, property damage in Yosemite National Park caused by bears exceeded $630,000 and more than 1,100 vehicles were broken into. Bears have damaged cars for as little as a stick of gum or an empty soda can. If you want what’s yours to remain yours, remember three things about bears: they are hungry, smart and strong.
When bears smell food, even if it’s locked in your trunk or glove compartment, they shift into high gear. They get turned on by odors of containers that used to contain food, but do no longer. They even go for toothpaste and sunscreen. Bears don’t need to smell food; they see something like a grocery bag or an ice chest, and associate it with food. In fact, they don’t even need to see that much. If a bear sees clutter inside a car, he’ll think, “I wonder what’s under all that stuff?” and go to work.
Breaking into a car is a trivial exercise for a bear. He inserts his claws at the top of the door frame and pulls down. Then he climbs in and trashes the car. You can’t outsmart or out-muscle a bear. Unless you are on a wall (and bears have been known to poach there, too), stash your food in one of the bear-proof storage lockers provided by the Park Service.
For more information check out the Park Service's bear page and weekly bear bulletin.
In addition to bears, be on the lookout for marmots. Cute from a distance, these plump critter love nothing more than scrounging for food in climbing packs while you watch helplessly from two pitches up. Be sure to hang your your backpack, even if it does not have food in it, high on a tree branch while you are away from it.
Miscellaneous Stuff
Gas is also available 15 miles east in and around Lee Vining (also at exorbitant prices). There is a post office located next to the Tuolumne Store. There is a pack station in Tuolumne. A message board is located outside the Tuolumne Meadows Store. The nearest ATM is at the Lee Vining Market. The nearest bank in 50 miles away in Mammoth. Wilderness permits are required for camping in the backcountry. They are available for free at the Tuolumne Wilderness Wilderness Center.
Prerequisites: Rock climbing experience
Group size: 6 participants maximum; 4 participants minimum
Primary Activities: Rock climbing skills
Additional Activities: Group dynamics, geology, history, and ecology
Hotel: Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and includes all meals, showers.
Trip Dates: See below
Length: 6 days and 5 nights (road trip from Scottsdale via Death Valley NP, includes 3-days of travel via SUV).
Cost: $1375 per person (includes lodging and meals)
Cost: $1075 per person (includes camping site and meals)
See schedule at bottom of this page.
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 Arizona Climbing and Adventure School is a unique opportunity for individuals to experience the spirit, courage and exploration of the West. It is an initiation into the unexpected, a chance to accomplish something very exciting and to discover strengths you never knew you had. Additionally, the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School provides education in wilderness skills and working effectively with others.
It is a well known fact that a wilderness experience can effect one person so deeply that it profoundly alters his or her view of self and reality to the positive, changing a person's life for months and sometimes years after the experience.
The skills you must learn in order to safely and ecologically negotiate the terrain, climate and altitude in which our courses are offered include:
• safety skills for travel through rigorous terrain.
• how to pack a backpack.
• physical fitness
• competence with map and compass, gps, route selection, navigation.
• rope use and knot tying, bowline, water knot, square knot, clove hitch, half hitch, figure eight
• basic first aid so that every student can handle reasonable emergencies and recognizes and aid in treating illness related to altitude, hypothermia, fatigue.
• rescue preparedness
• rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, rappelling
• campcraft including minimum impact camping, ecological considerations, wilderness cooking, food selection and nutrition.
• water purification, hygiene and sanitation.
• care of equipment, ropes, clothing, packs, climbing shoes.
• environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace techniques.
• safety from storms and lightning.
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Physical Fitness
Except on a few trips support vehicles, rafts or kayaks carry all our gear. We do, however, recommend that you be in good physical condition to enjoy our trips to the fullest. If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least 3-6 months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. We further advise you to check with your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program. For our more difficult trips, we also require a doctor's certificate of good health.
...recommended reading for the courses above:
• How to Climb: Advanced Rock Climbing by John Long
These books contain a wealth of detail and information on rock climbing and much space is devoted to climbing techniques and strategies for the beginner rock climber.
Our instructors are all active climbers, kayakers and backpackers.
Our staff are among the best in the Southwest.
They become full instructors after one year of rigorous training, testing and field work during which they learn ACAS's safety procedures, curriculum, process, technical standards, interpersonal/educational methods, and low impact backcountry techniques.
The majority are former instructors or graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and/or Outward Bound School! Their years of climbing and teaching have made them unequalled in safety and experience. Climbing and wilderness adventures are more than our business, it's our way of life!
Level of Difficulty
We rate each of our trips as "Easy", "Moderate", "Challenging" and "Strenuous" based on the level of physical ability and prerequisite skills required. This rating system is designed to help you decide which trip is most appropriate. Some trips may be a combination of different activity levels. In these cases we do our best to approximate the general difficulty level for the entire trip. Our trip ratings are subjective and relative to fluctuating environmental conditions as well.
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easy
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moderate
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challenging
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strenuous
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description
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most days involve fairly easy travel and easy activity, if required at all.
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these trips combine a moderate level of activities for both "off the beaten track" and basecamp exploration
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these trips are physically challenging and usually set in remote and rugged wilderness regions. challenging terrain encountered.
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these trips involve strenuous activity in remote and rugged terrain and encounters with wildlife, loose footing, rough seas, extreme weather, etc.
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activities and weather
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day hikes, 4wd, flat-water kayaking, average weather conditions
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trekking. sea kayaking, white water rafting, camping, single pitch rock climbing, moderate weather conditions
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backpacking (light loads under 35 pounds), sea kayaking, multi-pitch rock climbing, cold or hot weather conditions
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backpacking (heavy loads over 35 pounds), sea kayaking, multi-pitch rock climbing
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experience
required
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no experience required
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some experience required
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previous experience often recommended
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previous experience strongly recommended and sometimes required
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fitness
required
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good
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very good
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excellent
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excellent
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activity
per day
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4 - 6 hours
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6 - 8 hours
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6 - 10 hours
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8 - 12 hours
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highest altitude
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5,000 feet
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6,500 feet
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9,000 feet
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13,000 feet
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 To sign up for an ADVENTURE call or email us to check availability. If a course is open click on the On-line Application Form or go to our application and map (meeting point) site, print out both the Application (PDF), Map and Waiver. Fill out the application and fax or mail it to us (don't fax the waiver, just bring it the day of your course).
 Note: September thru May ADVENTURES start at 8:00 a.m. at the designated pick-up point. Call us the day before your course starts to verify. .
course cancellations
While it is unlikely, if the Arizona Climbing and Adventure School cancels a course due to insufficient reservations or conditions beyond our control (weather, etc.); alternate dates or refunds will be given as preferred. If you cancel within 14 days prior to your session, rescheduling your course can be expected. There are no refunds on gift certificates. If you fail to show at the designated meeting place at the appointed time you will be charged for the course - there are no exceptions. If you would like to reschedule within 48-hours of the course's starting date, you may do so. To receive a full monetary refund (minus a 20% handling fee), 14 days notice is required (expect a refund within 2 billing cycles or 60-days of your course date). You may also want to purchase travel insurance due to cancellations – click here for more information.
liability
Although we spare no effort to assure a safe program, we can assume no responsibility for your safety or loss of personal equipment. In a sport of this nature an element of risk is inherent and beyond human control. A signed release (waiver) will be required of all participants. A parent or guardian release is required for students under the age of 18. These can be obtained in advance by contacting our office or downloading from our website.
Please call us if the dates below do not work with your schedule
june
2008 |
..Yosemite Trip – ..2 - 7 (FULL)
..Yosemite Trip – ..16 - 21 (FULL)
..Yosemite Trip – ..23 - 28 (FULL)
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august
2008
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..Yosemite Trip – ..4 - 9
..Yosemite Trip – ..11 - 16
..Yosemite Trip – ..18 - 23
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july
2007 |
..Yosemite Trip – ..7 - 12 (FULL)
..Yosemite Trip – ..14 - 19 (FULL)
..Yosemite Trip – ..25 - 30
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september
2008
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..Yosemite Trip – ..1 - 6
..Yosemite Trip – ..8 - 13
..Yosemite Trip – ..15 - 20
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