Unlock Your Potential on the Cliffs of Red Rock

Looking for an unforgettable experience that challenges your limits, sharpens your skills, and leaves you transformed? The Spring Break Climbing Course at NOLS offers more than just climbing—it’s a gateway to mastering the art of leadership, building resilience, and navigating uncertainty with confidence. Whether you’re new to the sport or have years of experience, this immersive experience will equip you with essential skills to climb higher—on and off the rock.

This course places you alongside adventurers, aspiring leaders, and pioneers—joining the legacy of over 300,000 NOLS alumni, including CEOs, astronauts, and innovators, who’ve embraced the power of experiential learning to transform their lives.

Photo credit: Derek Esposito

Why Choose This Course?

This is more than a climbing course—it’s an opportunity to build leadership skills that will serve you for a lifetime. Through hands-on challenges, you’ll learn to make sound decisions, manage risk, and thrive in dynamic environments. These are the same skills that empower individuals to excel in their careers and personal lives, especially in today’s world where change is the only constant.

At NOLS, leadership isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about learning to collaborate, adapt, and inspire others along the way. By the end of this course, you won’t just be a more skilled climber—you’ll be a more confident and capable leader, ready to navigate any path life throws at you.

A Rock Climber’s Dream in Red Rock National Conservation Area

Set in the heart of Red Rock Canyon, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, this course takes you to one of the most iconic climbing destinations in the U.S. Here, towering sandstone cliffs, jagged spires, and deep canyons create an awe-inspiring backdrop for your adventure. Each day, you’ll ascend stunning rock faces while honing your climbing techniques and building your resilience.

You’ll explore the rich desert ecosystem when you’re not scaling cliffs. From birdwatching to hiking through vibrant landscapes, this course offers more than just technical mastery—it’s an invitation to connect with the natural world and leave it better than you found it.

What You’ll Learn

No matter your starting point, this course is designed to help you grow into a skilled, self-sufficient climber. You’ll develop:

• Climbing Techniques: Belaying, anchor building, top-roping, and lead climbing.
• Leadership and Communication Skills: Practice leading teams and solving problems under real-world conditions.
• Risk Management: Learn how to assess hazards and make decisions in challenging environments.
• Leave No Trace Principles: Gain an understanding of sustainable outdoor practices.

And, if you arrive with climbing experience, you may get the opportunity to practice lead climbing on real rock, adding an extra layer to your skill set.

At every step, our instructors—certified in wilderness medicine—guide you, ensuring both risk management and growth as you push yourself to new heights.

Life at Base Camp

This isn’t your typical backcountry camping experience. Base camping in Red Rocks means staying in a designated group site with access to picnic tables, coolers, and even camp chairs. Each day, you’ll head to the crags in NOLS vehicles, where you’ll work on your climbing goals while enjoying the comforts of camp life at night.

You’ll have time to reflect, read, and connect with your fellow students, building relationships that often last a lifetime. Group meals, shared challenges, and moments of triumph create a sense of camaraderie and community—an essential part of every NOLS experience.

Photo credit: Justin Forrest Parks

Prepare for Anything: Weather, Wildlife, and Terrain

In Red Rocks, expect the unexpected. Weather can shift from warm and sunny to cold and stormy within minutes. You’ll navigate steep terrain, rocky slopes, and dense desert vegetation, all while learning to stay aware of your surroundings—whether it’s spotting rattlesnakes or identifying hidden hazards on the trail.

This course teaches you to stay agile and composed, equipping you with the mindset to face any challenge. And when the stakes are high—whether on the rock face or in life—you’ll know how to keep yourself and your team safe, thanks to our rigorous wilderness first aid practices.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is for anyone seeking more than just a spring break getaway. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, if you’re ready to:

• Challenge yourself physically and mentally
• Master technical skills and take your climbing to the next level
• Build leadership skills that will benefit you for life
• Learn to thrive in uncertainty and navigate change with confidence

Then this is the course for you.

Join a Legacy of Leaders

When you complete this course, you’ll walk away with more than just memories and a NOLS Rock Climbing Certificate—you’ll be part of a global network of NOLS alumni who’ve gone on to change the world. Our graduates are CEOs, entrepreneurs, astronauts, and professionals who credit their NOLS experience with giving them the skills to lead boldly in any environment.

This course will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you transformed. You’ll not only gain a new set of climbing skills—you’ll learn what it takes to succeed in life’s toughest moments.

Ready to Transform Your Spring Break?

Step away from the ordinary. Embrace a challenge that changes the way you see yourself—and the world. With NOLS, you’ll discover new heights and gain the skills to navigate life’s uncertainties with purpose and confidence.

Adventure awaits. Will you rise to the challenge?

Photo credit: Derek Esposito