This is an open weekend of climbing for all ability levels and an opportunity for guided climbs and instruction at a deep discount. We'll match individuals with similar backgrounds with their own guide--beginners won't be paired with budding leaders. We can handle everything from large groups to small families.

Lead Climbing 101 is the perfect class for new climbers looking ahead to their first lead, or for experienced leaders seeking valuable knowledge often overlooked by recreational climbers. Instruction topics include: the climber's rack, anchor construction, belay modes, protection strategies, and climbing physics.

The format includes mini-clinics on the above topics followed by guided modeling, mock leads, and actual leads. By the end of the course participants will have done their own lead or acquire the skills to confidently do so outside of the class.

Learn basic snow climbing and crampon and ice axe skills on this two-day program. On day 1 we'll approach the North Face of McGown Peak and set a camp in the high basin at 8200 feet. We'll spend the afternoon covering skills and apply them the following day on an ascent of McGown Peak.

This long-standing weekend class is a comprehensive introduction to the sport of rock climbing with an emphasis on multi-pitch climbing. The venues are the Redfish Lake Boulder and the Super Slabs, a 1000 foot high granite apron located two miles behind Redfish Lake. We meet at Redfish Lake Lodge at 8:45am, take the shuttle boat across the lake, and then hike one hour to the Slabs.

The Saturday class starts at the beginning with basic movement skills, harness use, introductory knots, belaying, and rappelling.

On Sunday we apply the skills from day 1 on one of the multi-pitch routes on the Slabs while taking a closer look at equipment, anchors, belay stations, and multi-pitch efficiency.

The classes can be taken together on back-to-back days, on separate weekends, or as an overnight at the Canyon Camp, our fully-stocked basecamp located fifteen minutes from the climbing area.

SMG has been running climbing camps and activities for kids of all ages since 1985. The Sawtooths are a world-class climbing, mountaineering and backpacking venue and by the end of this five-day course participants will have received a comprehensive introduction to these activities. The spin off rewards, including the development of self-confidence and meaningful partnerships, and the opportunity to spend time in the backcountry, are numerous as well.

The camp will start and finish at Redfish Lake and we will utilize a basecamp located three miles up Redfish Canyon called the Canyon Camp. The camp is stocked with tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and kitchen gear. Kids only need to carry a medium-sized backpack (approximately 50 liters; see equipment list) with their personal gear and enough room for a one-night backpacking trip to Saddleback Lakes on the fourth night.

The Canyon Camp will serve as a base while we explore the area. The camp is situated above Redfish Lake Creek on clean granite slabs with spectacular view across valley to Mt. Heyburn. Activities will include rock climbing, hiking, fishing, swimming, mountaineering, map and compass work, and camp craft.

The goal of this 4-day course will be an ascent of Mt. Heyburn. The camp starts off with the Mountaincraft/Rockcraft weekend based from our Canyon Camp. On Monday morning, after a second evening at the Canyon Camp, we'll move to a high camp at the 5th Bench Lake, which will serve as an advanced bivy for an ascent the following day on Mt. Heyburn. This course will take the skills taught in Mountaincraft/Rockcraft and apply them to a high alpine peak. If combined with Mountaincraft/Rockcraft this requires no previous experience.

Idaho's highest peak (12,668 feet) resides in the Lost River Range, which is in East Central Idaho. The Lost River's lofty summits rise some 5,000+ vertical feet from the valley floor, and with no foot hills this is a dramatic mountain range. The West Ridge is the standard route and is about 3.5 miles (one way) and over 5,000ft in elevation gain. This is a classic 3rd class "scramble" with a notoriously exciting traverse known as "Chicken Out Ridge." This route requires good fitness, no technical skills, and is done in a long day.