Minneapolis - Outdoor Lessons & Groups

Top Rope Anchor Set-Ups & Real Rock Experience
The morning begins with a four hour, hands-on workshop designed to teach you how to properly construct a top-rope anchor system. VEGA guides teach cutting edge methods using traditional placed protection in combination with natural features to create a solid, equalized anchor in a timely manner.

In the afternoon, we climb on the anchors you set up. Coaching on technique and style is provided by your guide.

Women's Top Rope Anchor Set-Ups & Real Rock Experience
Join us for women only top rope anchor set-ups and real rock experience! A female VEGA guide will cover all the information taught in the traditional anchor lesson in a welcoming woman specific atmosphere.

Women's classes will be held June 17, July 22, August 12, and September 9 at Taylors Falls, MN.

@ Taylors Falls, MN

~~April 28, 2012~~ Full

~~May 19, 2012~~ Full

June 17, 2012 - women only

June 30, 2012

July 22, 2012 - women only

July 28, 2012

August 12, 2012 - women only

September 1, 2012

September 9, 2012 - women only

Top Rope Anchor Set-Ups: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Real Rock Experience: 12:30-4 p.m.
$149/person

(These two classes can be taken independently or combined for a great day outdoors)
$109 / Top Rope Anchor Set-Ups only
$69 / Real Rock Experience only
Members receive a 10% discount

NOTE: We must have a minimum of 5 participants to run the lesson.

@ Devil's Lake, WI

~~May 12, 2012~~ Full

June 2, 2012

July 14, 2012

August 11, 2012

September 15, 2012

Top Rope Anchor Set-Ups: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Real Rock Experience: 12:30-4 p.m.
$149/person
Members receive a 10% discount

NOTE: We must have a minimum of 6 participants to run the lesson.

Trad Master Weekend
Ever dream of climbing a long route in Yosemite Valley in California or have plans to tackle Devils Tower in Wyoming? The VEGA ‘Trad Master Weekend’ is your course! ‘Trad’ climbing is the ‘traditional’ way to ascend multi-pitch routes, big walls and peaks by placing and removing technical climbing protection. This challenging and fun weekend begins with a clinic to build and strengthen your knowledge and confidence in gear placement, rope management, knots, anchoring, belay systems and lead-change strategies. The weekend continues with hands-on climbing practice to fuel your confidence and be prepared to solve almost any problem that may occur during your pursuit of multi-pitch climbing. NOTE: All climbing is done with a top-rope back up enabling your guide to critique you in ‘real’ time as they self belay as well as providing an additional margin of safety.

Devil's Lake, WI

June 9-10, 2012

$299/person
Members receive a 10% discount

NOTE: We must have a minimum of 5 participants to run the lesson.

I Can Climb! - MN State Parks and Trails
I Can Climb! program is returning to the Minnesota State Parks this summer! This is a free program, family-friendly, no experience is necessary, climbing harnesses, shoes, and helmets will be provided.

Visit their website for more information: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/can_climb.html

Rock On Geology Day
“Rock on Geology Days” is an event at Taylors Falls, from noon to 3pm. VEGA Guide volunteers will provide their services in belaying and coaching on climbing fundamentals for any park visitor who wants to try. The park reserves “The Sonny and Juanita” area. Top ropes are set-up and VEGA will provide all technical equipment. Other tours of the park are provided by park rangers as well.

Taylors Falls, MN
Check back for 2012 dates

Free
12-3pm

North Shore Top-Belay Class at Taylors Falls
If you climb on the cliffs that rise above Lake Superior this great summer, you need to Top-belay. VEGA is running a special class to help teach the methods needed for a climbing trip to the North Shore.

This class will cover:

• Redirect Top-belay with a standard belay device
• Belaying off the anchor (with Gri-Gri or assisted-locking belay devices (ATC Guide, Reverso 3))
• Hanging/ semi-hanging belays
• The Traditional North Shore method (belaying over an edge)
• Setting up a 3-to-1or 5-to-1pulley system (To assist your climber through a difficult move)
• Belaying when there is a weight difference between the climbers
• Backing up with a Prussik loop while lowering your climber
• Rappelling when tied in
• Protecting your rope

(All student will receive a Prussik loop with the class)

Taylors Falls, MN

Check back for 2012 dates

12:30-3:30p.m.
$79/person
Members receive a 10% discount

NOTE: We must have a minimum of 5 / maximum of 9 participants to run the lesson.

Private Outdoor Lessons

Private Individual Lesson
$450 for 4 hour lesson (1 person)

Private Group Lesson
$225 per person for 4 hour lesson
2 minimum / 3 maximum per private group

Call 651.776.1430 to schedule!

Outdoor Group Experience
Your group can enjoy an outdoor rock-climbing outing to Taylors Falls, MN, Blue Mounds State Park, the North Shore, or Devil's Lake, WI! Experience the thrill of feeling real rock under your fingers while enjoying the expansive vistas which only the cliff tops have to offer. This trip is designed to meet your group's goals while at the same time developing individual self-confidence, respect, and group trust. They are perfect for groups of ten or more such as: schools, scouts, churches, corporations, friends or family. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to bring your group climbing!

CALL 651.776.1430 TO SIGN UP!

Taylors Falls, MN
$69 for 4 hours
10 person minimum

Blue Mounds, MN
$99 for 4 hours
10 person minimum

North Shore, MN
$99 for 4 hours
10 person minimum

Devil's Lake, Wisconsin
$99 for 4 hours
10 person minimum
NOTE: ~10 person minimum. Advanced registration required

Top Rope Site Management Course
The top rope site manager and instructor training course emphasizes the technical and educational skills necessary to safely and professionally instruct rock climbing and climbing related activities in a group setting. Any organization or individual who teaches top rope climbing or uses climbing as a medium for personal change or team building should consider this course a tool for improved risk management and consider enrolling its climbing staff. For recreational climbers, this course is the important first step in the guide education process and establishes a foundation of skills, methods and decision making that will lead to becoming model climbing instructors.

Devil's Lake, WI

April 13-15, 2012

May 4-6, 2012

Call 651.776.1430 for more information

8 a.m.-6 p.m. rain/shine
$499/person 5 person minimum
Members receive a 10% discount

Rock Guides Seminar
The VEGA Guides Seminar is an in depth, hands on examination of guiding techniques for multi-pitch rock climbs. The course is five days in length and participants should be prepared for 8-10 hour days, rain or shine. Climbers must be confident and experienced in leading 5.8 multi-pitched traditional routes. The main focus of the seminar is on the ‘hard’ skills of belaying and rappelling, raising and lowering, rescue and escape techniques, rope management and short roping. However, often the most significant challenges a guide may face are client-care issues. Throughout the course, the ‘soft’ skills of appropriate demeanor, client assessment, affective communication, route selection, teaching methods, modeling and mentoring are addressed and discussed. The course culminates with a multi-pitch test climb on Devil’s Tower. Students exchange roles as guides and clients and are presented with scenarios and situations to assess and solve. The students’ course performance is combined with the test climb and the instructor provides a written and verbal evaluation. The prevailing theme of the seminar is that a guide should be equipped with a deep working technical knowledge of climbing systems. In that way proper decisions can be made in regards to minimizing hazards while meeting the clients’ needs and goals.

Guiding presents a unique opportunity to utilize the vertical arena to provide clients with adventure and education, which can be a deeply rewarding vocation. Whether you aspire to guide professionally, or are interested in developing advanced skills that will greatly enhance your efficiency when taking friends on climbing trips, the VEGA Guides Seminar is a significant step toward that goal.

Black Hills, SD / Devils Tower, WY

May 20-24, 2012

Call 651.776.1430 for more information

8 a.m.-6 p.m. rain/shine
$749/person 5 person minimum
Members receive a 10% discount

Refund/Cancellation Policy on VEGA Lessons, Groups and Trips

Full payment is required to reserve/schedule your lesson, group, or trip.

Cancellations and Refunds will be made according to the following schedule:

Up to four (4) weeks in advance: 100% refund, less $20.00 administrative fee

Less than four (4) weeks in advance but up to fourteen (14) days prior: 50% refund, less a $20.00 administrative fee

No refunds will be made for cancellations within fourteen (14) days prior to the starting day of the program

All refunds will incur a $20.00 administrative processing fee unless VEGA chooses to cancel the program for any reason.

No refunds will be made for “No Shows” (a “No Show” is a person who registers for a program but who does not cancel registration or attend the program.)

No refunds will be given once a program begins.

Refunds will be processed as they are received or after the conclusion of the program, depending on the program date and when cancellation occurs. Refunds may take five to seven business days to process.

If VEGA needs to cancel the program for any reason or inclement weather, you may elect to transfer registration to another program, provided such a program is scheduled and space is available. If no program is available a full refund will be provided by VEGA.

If VEGA Guides determine that a participant must be removed from the program for inappropriate or illegal conduct, VEGA will not provide a refund of any kind.

The guide has the authority to terminate any program or portion of, due to weather, health or safety concerns.

Cancellations will be accepted via phone, fax or e-mail, and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline

OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING LESSONS and GROUPS