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ClimbMax Climbing 43 Wall St. Asheville, NC (828)252-9996 • email

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Destination Trips Choosing a Destination can be as easy as closing your eyes and dreaming Think of exotic lands, interesting people, remote wilderness areas, and alpine peaks. ClimbMax Mountain Guides can make your Dreams come true.  South American Adventures Whether you are looking for high altitude hiking and fitness hiking or a technical mountain climbing experience, South America has a plethora of opportunities that await the adventurer. Plan a trip from seven days to several weeks. We recommend Ecuador as a prime destination, with easy access to snow covered volcanoes and the convenience of a metropolitan city, it can’t be beat. Climbs can include moderate to strenuous hikes to elevations well over 3800 meters (12467 feet) or glaciated summit bids to the top of Chimborazo, a 6300 meters (21981 feet) peak considered the closest place on the Earth to the Sun. Any climb will undoubtedly leave you with lifelong memories.  Where Do You Want To Go? Our experienced guides are qualified to plan and lead trips to anywhere on the planet. So our question to you is, “Where do you want to go?”  Stuart Cowles is the founder and creator of ClimbMax Mountain Guides. In addition to being an excellent climbing guide, Stuart is also a great teacher with over 25 years of experience working with youth in an outdoor learning environment. When not working or guiding in the Southern Appalachia, he loves to travel the world seeking out high adventures.  Cowles has certification & training in the following areas: - AMGA Certified Member - AMGA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor - AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor - WMI Wilderness First Responder First Aid Training - AMGA Alpine Training - AIARE Avalanche Training

ASHEVILLE’S CALLING - ADVENTURE IS ON THE LINE
Climbing outdoors on the real rocks is a natural extension of the indoor activities offered at ClimbMax Climbing. With varied terrain, and stellar rock formations, Western North Carolina is a great place to take those first vertical steps, or expand upon your already developing skill set. ClimbMax Mountain Guides is a professional private guide service whose main purpose is to provide a great climbing experience, regardless of one’s experience level.

About Guided Climbing Our Guides are trained at the highest level and have years and years of climbing AND guiding experience. We specialize in sharing our practiced skills to all persons regardless of their previous experience, age, or abilities.  ClimbMax Mountain Guides is a private guide service. We book only private parties, small groups, and individuals. This means that each outing is catered specifically to a client’s needs or abilities. This eliminates being shoved into a group with varied skills and different agendas. We will work closely with you and your party to figure out your mountain adventure needs.  Why choose a climbing guide?
There are many skills that go into being a qualified Mountain Guide. One must be proficient in technical skills, Highly trained in wilderness protocols for Leave-No-Trace, Wilderness First Aid, and where applicable, mountain and avalanche skills. That guide also has to be personable and able to articulate and share his knowledge in a way that all individuals can understand. Our guides at ClimbMax Mountain Guides meet all of these strong requirements and excel in the area of being personal and friendly. Each guide takes pride in the fact that they live in these mountains and each has a special way of sharing that love.
 Mountain Climbing Guides
provide a strong knowledge of the region and climbing routes they work in
are familiar with the area’s weather patterns and can plan accordingly
Can select specific routes to meet the specific level of climbing needs for each individual client
Are highly trained in wilderness first aid and advanced mountain skills
Can choose areas that are less crowded
Are highly trained in mountain rescue and rock face escapes
Can teach any aspect of their skill-set
Love to share their love of the mountains…that’s why they are guides in the first place!
 Top Roping Opportunities & Half-Day Events Approx. 4–6 hrs. (plus a little travel time)  Top-rope climbing and half-day adventures are a perfect way to sample the vertical world for the first time. This is also a great option for parties with a shorter amount of time to spend in the wilderness. A “Top-Rope” setting is defined as a setting where the rope has been attached to an anchor above the climbers’ head. A climber will climb up to that anchor point. When a climber reaches that point they are lowered back to the ground. Climbers can try this again, and again. These climbs are traditionally a bit shorter and heights are limited by rope length. 60’ up to 90’ are traditionally the average height of most Top-roping event. During the time frame of these type of bookings, the anchor point can be moved and thus more climbs over different terrain can be had.   Rappelling Approx. 4–6 hrs. (priced same as Top-rope climbing)  In a Top-Rope setting the climber is lowered by the Belayer (person/guide managing the rope) releasing rope through a special device, however, when one Rappels they lower themselves down the length of the rope using similar devices. Many people find rappelling an enjoyable activity in and of itself. This is a good option for those who want to experience the vertical world but may not want to do so by climbing a rock face. There are settings where our guides can escort a rappeller to the top of a rock face and teach them the essential skills they would need to descend down that face in a controlled manner. This can be repeated again and again.
 Either of these two options is a GREAT way to experience the mountains just outside of Asheville, to enjoy the beauty of these woods, and to enjoy Half of a day in the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains.  Multi-Pitch & Full Day Events Approx. 6–8 hrs. (additional travel time may apply)
 A ‘pitch’ is defined, more or less, as the general length of rope. In a rock climbing setting this usually is from ledge or stance to stance often 100’–120’ apart. Climbers can progress up a rock face by a series of these ‘pitches’ being linked together. This is a truly great experience! As the climbing party climbs up the rock face the person up second (the client) removes the gear and brings it up the rock to the guide. All of the time a belay (management of the rope and technical systems) is in place from above the clients head. Upon reaching the top of the cliff the party will descend back to the base, with the guide taking the lead.
 DURING A FULL-DAY one can learn any aspect of technical climbing. These type of bookings are a great place to learn aspects of rope management, gear placement and anchor building. This is also a perfect setting for one to practice and improve their climbing skills.  Ice Climbing & Winter Weather Workshops Approx. 6–8 hrs. (additional travel time may apply)
 BUUURRRR! It gets cold in Western North Carolina in the wintertime! So cold that good ice can form up and, of course, the guides at ClimbMax Mountain Guides can walk you through every frosty step! From use of crampons and boot systems, to the mastery of swinging those mighty axes and picks, our guides will help introduce to you the frozen world of climbing. It is exhilarating and fun, and something that anyone who is willing, must try.
 Advanced Anchor Building Workshops & Technical Skills
Approx. 6–10 hrs. (pried same as full day climbing)
 1 DAY, 2 DAY, and 3 DAY COURSES in rock-craft management and skill-sets can be designed for the progressing client. Each booking will be catered to the client’s previous knowledge and desired goals. From learning basic single-point anchors, to the technically more advanced multi-point systems, our guides can slowly and carefully walk someone through every aspect of rock climbing. ANY kind of advanced training, including rock rescue will fall under this category.
 The Details: These bookings of events are considered FULL-DAY and usually take 6–10 hours. Due to the highly technical nature of these days, age limitations are in place and there are some programs that may mandate parent accompaniment. Group sizes are limited by our low guide-to-client ratio. Certain skills must be demonstrated to the guide before a client will be allowed to progress up a rock face. New clients may be able to obtain these skills in a day, yet it is solely the decision of the climbing guide as to who is ready for such an event and who is not.

Day Hiking Opportunities The mountains surrounding Asheville are some of the oldest mountains in the world and in our opinion, some of the most beautiful. From a distance the mountains look like rolling ridges that merge, endlessly into one-another. Upon a closer look, each mountain has its own uniqueness and beauty. From rolling trails that undulate with the terrain of the mountain to trails that ascend to the highest reaches of the clouds, Western North Carolina offers a wide spectrum of hiking and day hiking opportunities.  Why choose a hiking guide? As with any area that we may not be familiar with, finding a local who is knowledgeable about the lay of the land and the features of the region that make that particular place special, is a valuable resource. Our guides take pride in the fact that they live in these mountains and each has a special way of sharing that love.
Mountain Hiking Guides
provide a strong knowledge of the region they work in
are familiar with the area’s weather patterns
are knowledgable in the history and plant life of the region
have a large repertoire of trails to choose from and are knowledgeable with each in terms of difficulty, length, and time
can help manage time, heart-rate, and energy levels which will lead to a more enjoyable hike
Are highly trained in wilderness first aid
Can plan every aspect of a journey
Are familiar with bear protocol and prevention
 Fitness Hiking Want to break a sweat? Hiking is an excellent workout and a wonderful way to experience the mountains. ClimbMax Mountain Guides will work with each client and group to determine the best trail and the appropriate pace to meet the client’s need. Some clients seek day-hiking as a means to get in a great workout while enjoying nature. Our guides can manipulate the pace and terrain choice to meet any desired level of challenge. The hiking guide will work closely with the client to help to monitor and achieve various heart-rate and fitness goals. Hiking with trekking poles, in true European or Swedish style adds a higher degree of exertion and will quickly move one’s heart-rate to a higher level. Our guides will educate the client to the proper usage of trekking poles and will help incorporate them into a fitness hike. Being a trained and seasoned mountain guides requires a certain level of fitness. Hiking is one of the best ways to maintain that high level.  Backpacking Adventures Babbling brooks, stunning views, and old growth forest are just some of the treats one may experience when traveling deeper into the woods of the Appalachia. The layers of rich green scenery, and the hundreds of rich colors of the fall foliage are like the oil paints of an artist’s pallet. Sometimes the best way to experience the full beauty of these old mountains is to strap on a backpack and travel deep enough to require an overnight stay. Whether one chooses an overnight journey or one of longer duration a backpacker can have the chance to experience the various delights of the changing day. Morning light on a distant peak, mid-day sun on a ice-cold brook, or the evening twilight shimmering through the smoke of a campfire, these are all pleasures one could experience from an overnight journey.  Our guides will work with each client to educate them in the proper fit of a backpack an share hints to make the steps flow easily. All guides are trained in ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics and will share these skills in a manner that will encourage all participants to truly recognize their impact and their role in preserving the environment. More than just words, these concepts can be learned and practiced daily and the results are ever present.  ClimbMax Mountain Guides can provide as much or as little equipment as may be needed for an overnight journey. We will work closely with the client to form a meal plan and choose a route that meets their specific desires. Planning, routes, checking equipment list, and providing pre-tip fitness plans are things our guides specialize in. So, whether, a seasoned hiker in a new land, or a novice outdoor adventurer, choosing a qualified guide to help you plan and prepare for your journey will surely be an educational and valuable experience.  Check the Weather The Weather Channel has an excellent online resource for checking current and upcoming weather conditions in and around the Asheville area. Check out the Weather Channel’s Asheville Page to see what is going on now.

Outdoor Climbing brings you back to nature in the most intimate way.

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Climb Max | Asheville Activities | Fun Things to Do in Asheville | Rock Climbing Asheville | Asheville Kids Activities

Rates Top-Roping Half Day Adventures (6-8hrs) All Ability Levels Includes all necessary equipment. 1 person: $175.00 2 persons: $225.00 3 persons: $300.00 4 persons: $360.00  Full Day/Multi-Pitch Climbs (8-12hrs) All Ability Levels Includes all necessary equipment. 1 person: $195.00 2 persons: $275.00 3 persons: $375.00  Corporate and Group Programs Group pricing is based on total group size and client to guide ratios. Due to group size restrictions (set by forest service) we may have to separate the group into two different activity sites. (Rock shoe rentals are $6.00/pair per day for groups) Client to Guide Ratio: 4 to 1: $340.00 4 to 2: $500.00 5 to 1: $375.00 5 to 2: $600.00 6 to 1: $390.00 6 to 2: $700.00 8 to 12 participants is $50 to $70 per person (depending on guide usage and type of program).  Other Options ClimbMax Mountain Guides offer many other options for groups or individuals including clinics, ice & alpine climbs and indoor fun! Special destination fees may apply.  Reserving A Date An adventure with ClimbMax Mountain Guides is designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. In order to accomplish this we have a firm booking and cancellation policy. This assures our availability for your requested dates.
To Reserve a date with ClimbMax Mountain Guides, call or e-mail as early as possible. A 50% deposit of the total outing cost will be required to secure your booking. Once secured, you will receive a confirmation letter, packing list, meeting details, and liability waiver and medical release form. All destination bookings require payment in full 30 days prior to departure.  Climbing, rappelling, wilderness and mountain travel are inherently dangerous. It is impossible to eliminate all the risks associated with these types of activities! After all, gravity never rests. Our goal is to guide you safely through these hazards, but all participants must take full responsibility for their participation in such events and each must read and sign a liability release form. Parents must sign for minors.
All participants must have a Release Waiver filled out prior to outdoor climbing.  Cancellation Policy You may cancel your reservation up to 30 days prior to your outing without having to sacrifice your entire deposit however a $25.00 handling fee will apply. Cancellation within the 30 day period will result in the loss of the entire deposit unless we are able to rebook that specific date with another client. Climbing and outdoor facilitation is often possible and even fun in the rain, if a ClimbMax Mountain Guide determines that for safety reasons the date must be canceled we will work diligently to reschedule the date.