Guided Climbing

It certainly can be! Our instructors are really good at catering to your level, so even if this is your first outdoor climbing experience we are overjoyed to be a part of it and to introduce you to climbing in a fun, challenging yet approachable way.

You should also check out the Via Ferrata which is a great introductory experience!

The Via Ferrata is an outdoor cabled climbing system that has iron rungs for your hands and feet to aid you while you are climbing. It is considered a self-belay system meaning you can climb solo because you are always attached to the cable for protection.

On a guided climbing trip you will be using only the natural features of the rock as you climb, but you are always attached to a rope for protection and you will have a belayer who manages the rope for you while you are climbing.

Although the Via Ferrata is challenging it is generally more beginner friendly, however you won’t go wrong with either activity and our instructors are happy to meet you where you are!

Absolutely! We would love to give you a carefully cushy catch, help you select the best climbs for you with our knowledge of the area, and hang your draws if you so choose. Whether you have solid specific plans or want some beta on approaches, sun/shade aspects, climbing styles, or even specific routes, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call and we will see you on the rocks soon!

This is some of our favorite content! We love working with you as you make the transition from indoor climbing to becoming proficient outdoor climbers. We actually offer this during all of our private guided climbing trips. We believe climbing is a journey and it is not a one-size-fits-all model. We also know we can provide high quality individual training. So when you book our full or half day guided trips, we will work with you on your specific actionable steps to getting where you want to go in your climbing journey.

We cover outdoor climbing technique, lead climbing, anchor cleaning, advanced belay skills, falling and catching lead & top-rope falls, and so much more!

You want to go trad climbing? Heck yeah, Trad is Rad! Let’s get out and practice hand & foot jams, fingerlocks, and I guess we can’t leave out that baffling off-width climbing! In addition to trad climbing technique we can also focus on gear placement efficiencies, anchor building, anchor transitions, rope management, and many other topics even including but limited to extended rappelling.

This is truly an individualized question. Sometimes we work with experienced folks for half a day and everyone feels comfortable afterwards, whereas some clients we have for multiple years are often working on specific, long term goals. But in general terms, most folks that regularly climb indoors are proficient in climbing in our areas in about four full days of guided trips, typically with a little time in between to practice skills.

You can not go wrong with either, but here are a few things to consider. When climbing outdoors in our area, a full day can go by more quickly than you think. There are some basic logistics such as getting to and from the climbing areas. This might mean a few minutes drive and hike from your meeting location. While out in the woods at the climbing areas, there is also some trivial setup and break down between each climbing route and there can also be some minor traveling between each climbing area. Throughout the day the instructors are adding in extras with teachable moments ensuring that you are receiving more than you expected. So if you are getting physically tired from climbing, no worries, we can add more teaching topics, but if you are ready for more climbing then that will be the focus!

It should also be noted that Southeast Mountain Guides has a very unique advantage by owning 12 private acres with over 30 climbing routes here in the Red River Gorge. This allows us to take full use of half days because we can stay onsite nullifying any driving and hiking time and we will not have to battle (ahem, be courteous) to others enjoying the general public access to our popular climbing routes!

Generally speaking, climbing involves starting at the base of a cliff and climbing by way of physical strength and technique using the natural features of the rock to make progress up the cliff while protected by climbing equipment. Getting back down from the climb depends on the location of the climb and the type of climbing, but most commonly on our guided trips, you will be lowered by your belayer who controls your speed.

This is in contrast to rappelling, where often you hike to the top of the cliff then lower yourself, controlling your speed by manipulation of the rope and rappelling device.

We do! You can book a full day of guided climbing and rappelling. This day is up to 8 hours and will have both activities. You can start with either climbing or rappelling and you can spend as long as you would like on either activity as long as it is at least 2 hours.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL OF OUR ACTIVITIES

We do not staff for walk-ins and therefore we cannot guarantee your participation as a walk-in. That said, if we can fit you in we certainly will, but this solely depends on our instructor and equipment availability. Understand that your reservation affects our availability and our crew member's schedule. Reservations allow us to plan accordingly and best serve all of our clients and crew.

Make a reservation here on our website!

If you would like more help or if you have any special request, concern, or you are not seeing the availability that you desire, simply give us a call and our reservation specialists (who are often our instructors as well) would be more than happy to help you!

Yes! We simply need your contact info and also your card info to make a reservation. However, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED ANYTHING at the time of booking. You will pay in full during the check-in process before your trip on your reservation date.

As soon as you have a date in mind, make a reservation! There are no cancellation or rescheduling fees and you don’t have to pay anything in advance. At a minimum, our guideline would be to reserve 2 weeks in advance, however if we can take last minute reservations, we will! Note that most of our online booking closes at 4 pm the day before. If you want availability for the DAY OF, you must call. We take reservations up to 1 year in advance. Some weekends fill up 2-3 months in advance.

We are OPEN RAIN OR SHINE! Weather is unpredictable, but generally speaking, the actual weather is not as bad as predicted and clients typically have a great time even if the weather is not ideal.

For guided climbing trips, often you can still climb on dry (or dryish) rock because the Red River Gorge has expansive natural rock roofs that protect the climbs below from getting wet.

With all that said, you need to understand that we do not climb or rappel during thunderstorms. Once again, weather is unpredictable, but generally speaking, Red River Gorge thunderstorms pass through in 30-45 minutes. It is at the instructor’s discretion as to when activities will resume but this will not be before 30 minutes from the last incident of lightning or thunder.

Check-in is 10 minutes prior to your reserved time.

For all Red River Gorge, KY trips you will meet at our office:

Southeast Mountain Guides

1617 KY-11 Campton, KY 41301

Have a change? No worries! We are reasonable people, serving reasonable people.

We do not have any cancellation fees, etc. It's simple: if you participate, you pay. Keep in mind that any change in your plans (even if by 1 person or 10 minutes) affects our instructors and other clients. Therefore, if you have ANY changes, no matter how insignificant, we ask that you let us know as soon as you can.

We do not charge for your canceled activity, nor do we have any cancellation fees. We are reasonable people, serving reasonable people. We understand that plans change, so if you have ANY changes to your plans, just let us know ASAP! Changes to your plans do affect our crew and other client reservations. Keep in mind that we are OPEN RAIN OR SHINE!

If you cancel, you will not be guaranteed any prior pricing, discounts, or special rates.

If Southeast Mountain Guides needs to cancel your reservation, we reserve the right to decide if a refund or prorated amount is issued to you. We will not be responsible for any other incurred losses, such as other cancellation fees from travel plans, etc. You will receive an email notification of your cancellation. Thanks!

• There is NO AGE RESTRICTION for our guided trips, however, we recommend ages 6 or older!

• Participants 9 and under get a $20 youth discount.

• Participants 14 and under need to have an adult (18+) present at all times during the trip.

• If the adult is not participating, then the adult will not have to pay, however they will need to aid the instructor throughout the day, resulting in needing to wear/use protective climbing or rappelling equipment.

We do not have a height or weight restriction. However, participants must have a properly fitted harness and helmet. Our harnesses fit a 24 inch waist up to a 54 inch waist.

You bring the stoke, and we will provide the rest! Except for tennis shoes or hiking boots, you will need to bring those! All necessary climbing equipment is provided. We do not provide food/snacks/ drinks, but there are snacks and drinks to purchase on-site.

You MUST bring closed toe/closed heel shoes and clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for the weather. Additionally, we recommend bringing a small day pack with personal items, food, snacks and water.

You can! Our instructor will need to inspect equipment before use. But typically, as long as it is approved climbing equipment and all soft goods are 7 years of age or less, you can use them. With that said, we do provide all necessary climbing equipment, so if you do not have anything or if you don’t want to bring your own, that is fine by us!

If you are on a guided climbing trip, we do encourage you to bring what you have. We are happy to teach you on gear that you already own.

Please inform us of any medical conditions or concerns that will affect the trip. Bring any personal items and medications that you need. Our instructors have basic medical training such as Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and/or Wilderness First Responder.

Our activities are NOT recommended for anyone that has a serious health or medical concern.

Our activities are also not recommended during any term of pregnancy.

Spectators are welcome! Please let us know if there will be spectators joining, so that the instructors are prepared and can provide

other necessary information if application to the climbing location. Please understand that if a spectator is going to be actively engaging in the learning process but not climbing, we still consider this a participant and they will be charged for participating. If they are simply hanging out that is totally fine and no payment would be necessary. However they will still need to sign a waiver and wear a helmet..

We highly encourage you to leave your pet at home. However, if you are going to bring a dog with you, here are some things you should know

• Make sure you let us know ahead of time. There are some climbing locations that do not allow dogs.

• Know that dogs must be with their owner at all times, on a leash at all times, and silent so as not to interfere with safety or experiences.