RATIO
Single Pitch: 6:1 guest to guide ratio
Multi Pitch: 2:1 ideal, 3:1 max guest to guide ratio
LENGTH + CONTENT
Day trips to expeditions we’ve done it all.
Straight up guiding or full learning / coaching mode — up to you.
PRICING
Varies by trip, reach out!
Private Guided Climbs
A day of climbing at Index or an expedition into the Karakorum — rock climbing is more than just moving through the mountains. Climbing is learning how we connect our body and brains, how we respond under pressure and navigate fear, how we find awe and bliss, how we can use breath to change our moods, and how we can be kind to ourselves when we’re struggling. And of course it can also just be pure fun and thrill.
Private Seminars & Instruction
We’ve spent years teaching people how to move through the mountains. From 1 day skills seminars to weeklong alpine climbing expedition learning, we’ve got you covered. Wherever you are in your climbing journey we can take you to the next level. As guides we’ve been honing our craft to perfection — so we’re sure to have tips and skills that make your time in the mountains safer, more fun, and more stylish.
PNW CRAGGING & RED ROCKS
Below are all areas we guide and instruct. If you’d like to book us for any of these areas, please reach out.
North Bend
NORTH BEND
Exit 32 & 38
This is the classic after work spot to be — tons of excellent sport climbs and a few places to learn to trad climb. For folks learning how to climb and learning rope systems Gritscone and Headlight point make great classrooms. For folks really trying to get after it — the World Wall offers long overhanging sport climbs.
Keechelus Ridge
Beautiful alpine cragging away from it all. Nice views and good routes without a long approach.
The Tooth & Chair Peak
Great intro to alpine climbing on The Tooth’s South Face (5.4) seen in the photo to the left and Chair Peak’s South Face (5.4) or an awesome 5.9 sport climbing multipitch on The Tooth Fairy.
Index
Index
Great Northern Slab
In a venue notorious for difficult trad climbs, The Great Northern Slab offers a mellow introduction to multi-pitch climbing.
Upper Town Wall
Long epic multi-pitch climbs with cool views and exposure for folks in intermediate to advanced climbing shape. Davis-Holland to Lovin Arms is a classic.
Everywhere Else
Index is an awesome vertical playground. If you’re a competent 5.9 climber you can start to have fun exploring the area. Below 5.9, options are limited. For folks wanting big wall climbing seminars and / or aid climbing workshops, Index is the spot to be.
Mt. Erie
Mt. Erie
Excellent climbing in a really cool setting. On a blue sky day the setting is hard to beat looking out over Puget Sound. The climbs are all fairly short, but mostly quality.
Vantage
Vantage aka Frenchman’s Coulee
When the temps are a bit too cold or it’s been raining straight for a week — Vantage is the place to be. Just a two and a half hour drive away the conditions are almost always more favorable than near Seattle during the shoulder months. You can even get some good climbing in middle of the winter.
Vantage has a great mix of trad and sport. It makes a good classroom for learn-to sport climb and learn to trad climb clinics. And it’s just a beautiful wild place to hang out.
Smith Rock, OR
Smith Rocks Oregon
Of all the places in America to climb, Smith Rocks is in my top 5 — there’s something about the area that feels magical. And it has incredible variety — in the same day you can climb overhanging 5.12 sport climbs and a mellow 5.7 multipitch. For folks in the Northwest wanting to learn how to sport climb, Smith Rocks is the place to do it.
We run 3 day learn to sport climb courses in Smith, guide long multi-pitch routes, coach people to climb at their limit, and guide people to the top of Monkey Face.
If making the drive from Seattle, it’s best to plan on staying for 3-4 days.
Mazama, WA
Mazama
Mazama feels a bit like a fairy tale sometimes. Stopping by the Mazama store for some of the best baked good anywhere and then heading over to climb the second longest sport climb in America… pretty sweet. We can help arrange multi-day trips staying at Rolling Huts. Some clients opt to fly over from Seattle and land at the Base of the Goat Wall.
Flyboys 5.9 18 pitches
Flyboys touts itself as the second longest sport climb in the country. It’s pretty darn cool to scale an entire face only clipping bolts.
Prime Rib 5.8 10 pitches
Prime Rib is an incredibly cool easy-moderate sport climb overlooking the Methow Valley. Solid rock, ample protection, easy access, and a wonderful location add up to a classic and fun romp up this massive wall.
Sisyphus 5.11 10 pitches
A big step up from the other 2 — makes for an awesome athletic day out in the mountains.
Red Rocks
Red Rocks
I’ve climbed all over the country and the world. Red Rocks is still my favorite place to go climbing. Sure, there’s world class sport climbing that is gymnastic and fun. But I love red rocks for the super long moderate multi-pitches. I don’t know of any place that makes guiding so fun and easy — no matter your level there is an epic day to be had here.
Some Classics:
Epinephrine 5.9 13 pitches, Solar Slab 5.6 9 pitches, Chrimson Chysalis 5.8 9 pitches, Dream of Wild Turkeys 5.10a 7 pitches, this list could go on for pages.
NORTH CASCADES CLASSIC ALPINE CLIMBS
Below are all routes we regularly guide, but we have permits for all of the North Cascades — if you’ve got a climb in mind that you' don’t see here — reach out.
Forbidden
Forbidden Peak
West Ridge
One of the 50 classic climbs in North America, the West Ridge is technically easy climbing (5.4) on an incredible ridge to a true summit with wild exposure along the way. Despite the easy grade, the West Ridge is a full alpine adventure complete with a solid approach, glacier travel, route finding, and long rappels. It’s a classic for a reason.
East Ridge
A bit harder than the West Ridge, the East Ridge (5.8) gets you away from the crowds and allows you to do a cool traverse of the peak: going up the East Ridge and down climbing the West Ridge.
Torment To Forbidden Traverse
Torment to Forbidden Traverse
The most classic alpine climbing traverse in the Northwest if not the western US. 3-4 days climbing easy terrain (5.7) on a narrow ridge with massive exposure, epic bivy sites, and, depending on the time of year, a bit of snow and ice. For folks who’ve been building skills for some some time this is a great test!
Vesper Peak
Vesper Peak
Ragged Edge 5.7
Six pitches of awesome moderate climbing in a beautiful alpine setting. This and True Grit can be combined with Mile High Club (a 10 pitch sport climb in the area) for a great 3 day trip.
True Grit 5.8
A tiny bit harder than Ragged Edge with slightly better climbing. Bolted belays, cool stances, and a full alpine feel. 5 pitches.
Enchantments
Enchantments
North Ridge Mt. Stuart
One of the fifty classic climbs in North America this route is simply one of the best alpine trad climbs anywhere. 23 pitches of good quality ridge and gendarme climbing. 2-3 days. Must be a solid 5.9 climber.
Prussik Peak
If you’d love to climb in the Enchantments but aren’t quite ready for the North Ridge, the West Ridge (5.7) or the Beckey - Davis Route (5.9) offer awesome alpine climbing with much less commitment. 2 - 4 days.
Snow Creek Wall — Outer Space & Orbit
Outer Space and Orbit are two of the best moderate multi-pitches in Washington. A relatively short one hour approach makes it a gentler day, but you’re still very much in the mountains. Finish out the day at one of the many restaraunts in near-by Leavenworth.
INTERNATIONAL CLIMBING DESTINATIONS
Below are all areas we regularly guide, but we’re often game to go to other places if we can get permits. Reach out!
Potrero Chico
Potrero Chico — Mexico
The highest density of long sport climbs in the Americas. Friendly people and international climbing scene. Delicious tacos and margaritas. Nice accommodations only a 5 minute walk from the climbing. EPC is pretty sweet. You’ll want to climb at least 5.8 to get the most out of the area. Climbing 5.10 really opens up the doors.
The best time to be there is December through mid March, but you can find good aspects to climb year round.
Cochamo
Cochamo — Chile
Visitors have labeled this Chilean valley the Yosemite of South America. Its similarities - surrounded by bigwalls, waterfalls and international climbing scene - also contribute to its unique differences - no roads thus no vehicles, no rangers, lush forest and a Rainier (Squamish-like) climate.
This must-visit destination provides more than 200+ routes and potential beyond the imagination. Thousand meter granite walls border the valley along the Cochamó River. Atop the valley walls granite peaks and beautiful vistas stand everywhere, some with views to the Pacific Ocean, others into Argentina (Cerro Tronador, Aguja Principal - Frey).
You should be comfortable climbing 5.8. 6 day minimum.
Kalymnos
Kalymnos — Greece
Kalymnos may be one of the greatest sport climbing areas in the world. With over 3400 routes in the 2019 guide being mostly accessible with a short hike and/or scooter and great amenities you'll wonder why you've ever climbed anywhere else. Many of the routes feature tufas and are steep, but there is also an array of pockets, thin vertical climbing and LOTS of moderates on the lower angle grey limestone. There is something for everybody with grades from 5a to 9a (5.7 to 5.14d).
You can be a total beginner for a trip to Kalymnos — but you’ll get more out of it if you’re climbing 5.8 comfortably. 5 day minimum.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Check out the FAQ’s below, or text or call us at 845-661-3008 to talk it through! Or send us an email. We love hearing from folks.
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All the time! If it’s your first day out or you haven’t climbed in a long time, that’s all good — we’ll pick climbs that will challenge you but also be achievable.
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Professional Mountain Guide with over 17 years climbing experience around the world & advanced wilderness medical training.
All group gear climbing gear: Ropes, carabiners, first aid kit, emergency communication device.
Use of our harnesses, helmets, and headlamps if you don’t have your own.
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Airfares to or from your home city, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Personal gear: clothing, backpack, etc
Food and accommodations.
Guide’s travel (for climbs outside the PNW).
Tips for guides.
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Multipitches can be done with a group of 3 either with 1 or 2 guides. Climbing 3:1 is totally possible, but will be notably slower than climbing 2:1 or 1:1.
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We’ve been teaching rock climbing for over 17 years. Anything you want to learn we can help you get there! Even if you consider yourself an expert climber, we can likely teach you a bunch of useful tools to smooth out your systems.
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Multi-day trips will either require camping (TFT, North Ridge of Stuart) or staying in an Airbnb or hotel (Potrero, Kalymnos). We can help you arrange accommodation if you’d like.
For some trips, you may lodge with your guide, for others you can choose to lodge separately.
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We have people come on our trips by themselves all the time! There’s nothing like travel through remote wilderness to build community. Our prices are based on double occupancy of rooms. if you’re traveling alone we’ll ask you to pay a one time solo - travel supplement to cover the extra cost of the room. Please inquire for updated pricing.
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Indigo Alpine Guide trips are most often run by the owner Jack Bynum and his closest and most trusted friends. All the people who work for IAG have over a decade of experience guiding trips in the most remote places on earth, have wilderness medical training and advanced guiding certifications.
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For Day Trips:
If you cancel for any reason prior to 30 days before the course start, you may rebook a later date for 100% credit, subject to availability, or receive a refund. If you cancel between 7 and 30 days prior to the course start, you may reschedule subject to availability. Between 7 and 30 days there are no refunds. If you cancel inside of 7 days from the course start, there are no reschedules or refunds available. This includes, but is not limited to:
– Injury/illness (positive cover exposure excepted)
– Weather, mountain and travel conditions (please see #4 below)
– Personal scheduling changes
For Multi-day Trips:
You may cancel up to 120 days of the scheduled travel date and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel between 120 and 60 days of travel, there is a 50% cancellation fee. Within 60 days of travel, there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or of the trip being canceled.
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We always encourage folks to purchase trip cancelation insurance in addition to the mandatory medical evacuation insurance. We require that you have at least $200,000 in medical evacuation insurance. Your insurance policy should cover hazardous sports and we recommend that your policy cover search and rescue. Since we cannot confirm each client’s policy individually, it is your responsibility to make sure your policy will cover you while you participate in your activities of choice on the expedition.
For US citizens, we recommend Global Rescue. You will have a choice of purchasing it with or without the cancellation coverage–so make sure to select the one that gives you the coverage that you need. Other commonly used companies include World Nomads and Squaremouth.
You are welcome to seek out other insurance options, as these are only recommendations. When selecting a policy, please make sure they insure all the activities you’ll be participating in (many don’t include roped climbing, skiing, mountaineering, etc).
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We’re always happy to talk through anything on your mind. Oftentimes the quickest way to get it all done is by phone or zoom. Hit us up at the button below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can (we’re often in the mountains.)
