Outdoor Program

Portland Rock Gym has been providing the Pacific Northwest with the best indoor climbing instruction since 1988. That training is also available outside, bringing together unparalleled education and a memorable adventure.

PRG Guides offers clients full or half day adventures to beautiful local climbing destinations in the Columbia River Gorge, as well as world class climbing at Smith Rock State Park – the birthplace of sport climbing in the US.

Jump to Outdoor Calendar

Get outside for one on one instruction or gather a group of friends together for an unforgettable experience. First-time climbers and seasoned veterans alike can climb more challenging routes, improve existing skills, and create new ones!

Outdoor Classes

Gym to Crag

Perfect for the first time climber. Participants will head to a local climbing area for 4 hours and climb with a PRG certified professional guide. It’s a great way to gain outdoor climbing experience in a fun and supportive environment.

Advance reservation required. All participants will meet at specified crag parking lot. For outings at Broughton Bluff or Ozone participants must be at least 12 years of age. For outings at Carver Bridge Cliff, participants must be at least 18 years of age and join the Carver Climbing Club

Gym to Crag - Full day

An all day option of our popular Gym to Crag series. Participants will head to a local climbing area for 8 hours and climb with a PRG certified professional guide. It’s a great way to gain outdoor climbing experience in a fun and supportive environment.

Advance reservation required. All participants will meet at specified crag parking lot. Participants must be at least 12 years of age.

Climb a Classic - Beacon Rock

Join one of our guides for a day of climbing classic multi pitch routes at Beacon Rock! Beacon Rock is a towering 850 foot basalt monolith on the Washington side of the Columbia River. There are numerous amazing multi-pitch climbs and variations. This offering is for up to two people to be guided all day at Beacon Rock climbing classic multi-pitch routes with one of the PRG guides. The exact route and grades will be based on the participant's ability and experience.

A harness, helmet, and climbing shoes are included if needed. Please let us know if you do not have any of these. We will bring them for you!

Gear participants need to bring:
-Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for hiking to and from the crag
-a warm layer
-water (2 liters)
-snacks/lunch
-sun protection
-rain protection
-personal first aid kit
-A backpack to hold it all that you can climb with

Price: $400 for 1 person, $470 if signing up two people

Two spaces available. Advance reservation required. All participants will meet at specified crag parking lot. All participants must be at least 14 years of age.

Leading Outside

Advanced Outdoor Lead

For those who already have their PRG Lead Card but limited or no outdoor lead experience.

Advanced Outdoor Lead is a comprehensive full day outdoor clinic covering anchor cleaning / rappelling, risk management, top-rope following and the many nuances of outdoor leading. Participants must have their permanent lead belay certification (green card).

Advance reservation required. These courses can also be booked as a private day of instruction to better accommodate individual schedules.

Anchor Cleaning and Rappelling

This one day clinic takes place outdoors at Ozone. Participants will learn the techniques necessary to safely and efficiently clean sport anchors and set up rappels.

Click on the "Sign Up Now" button below to see current class dates and availability.

Advance reservation required. This course can also be booked as a private day of instruction to better accommodate individual schedules.

Trad Climbing

In this two-day course, participants will learn gear placement for active and passive protection, gear selection, trad anchor building, route finding skills, rope efficiency and risk management. Participants need to be lead certified and very comfortable leading 5.9 in the gym. 1:4 guide to client ratio.

Click on the "Sign Up Now" button below to see current class dates and availability.

Advance reservation required. This course can also be booked as a private day of instruction to better accommodate individual schedules.

We Provide

Highly trained and experienced AMGA certified instructors.
Helmets, harnesses, ropes.
Shoes can be provided but participants should go by the gym to try them on and get the correct size before hand.
A fantastic and memorable outing!

Participants are required to fill out a waiver prior to participating.

Portland Rock Gym Guides is committed to maintaining the most current training and certification industry standards of the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA).

Outdoor Class Calendar

Private Guiding

Looking to spend a half or full day exploring a local climbing area with a professional guide? There are so many wonderful areas within an hour of Portland, some even as close as 20 minutes away from downtown.

We keep a 1:6 ratio of guide to client.
Guides meet the clients at the climbing area.
If the weather is too adverse to climb, we first try to change the venue. If that is not possible, we try to reschedule free of charge. If a reschedule is not possible then the amount paid will be returned.

2024 Half Day (4 hours) Pricing:

1 Person: $345
2 People $390
3 People: $420
4 or more people: $120/person

2024 Full Day (8 hours) Pricing:

1 person: $435
2 People: $470
3 People $525
4 of more people: $140/person

Check out these day trips we’ve put together for your enjoyment. Contact us at guiding@portlandrockgym.com for booking and more information.

Beacon Rock

Beacon Rock is the premiere climbing destination in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area throughout summer and early fall. At just over 800 feet in height, Beacon (or Che-che-op-tin) stands proud as North America’s tallest free standing Monolith! SE Corner is a must-do route for any climber visiting the Portland area. It boasts seven pitches of vertical rock, ranging from 5.5 to 5.7 in difficulty, and totaling over six hundred feet of climbing.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced (5.7 – 5.11 YDS, Trips to Beacon involve 5 to 7 pitches of technical rock climbing and will generally require a full 8 hour day to complete and return to the cars.) Note: Some routes, including SE Corner, are only open July 15th through Feb 1st due to nesting falcons.

Travel Time from Portland: 60 Minutes

Group Size: 2 people

Perfect For: The intermediate to advanced level climber looking to experience a day of adventure climbing high off the ground in the heart the the Columbia River Gorge.

Trip Length: Full day

Carver Bridge Cliff

Nestled high on the hillside above the majestic Clackamas River, Carver Bridge Cliff serves as an easy escape for those looking to try outdoor rock climbing for the first time. The rock, located in a beautifully lush and overgrown forest, is home to a good deal of beginner friendly climbing amid tranquil surroundings.

Difficulty Level: Beginner & Intermediate (5.4 – 5.10 YDS)

Travel Time from Portland: 25 Minutes

Perfect For: Beginner and Intermediate climbers interested in a low commitment, yet fun filled half-day excursion from the city.

Trip Length: Half day

Rooster Rock

Rooster Rock is a towering 150 foot basalt monolith situated 30 minutes from downtown Portland at the mouth of the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Though typically known simply as the namesake of the state park it inhabits, Rooster Rock is home to one of the premier hidden gems of Columbia River Gorge rock climbing. The phenomenal views and easy, well protected climbing make this a definite must for those seeking a beginner friendly outdoor climbing adventure!

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate (5.4 YDS)

Travel Time from Portland: 30 Minutes

Perfect For: Beginner climbers interested in a low commitment, yet fun filled half-day excursion from the city.

Trip Length: Half day

Ozone

Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, Ozone is arguably the best crag closest to Portland. Ozone has it all: trad, mixed, sport, beginner, moderate and hard routes. Ozone is tall cliffs, ledgy routes and cool, shady belays. This crag is a good place to learn skills or climb fun routes.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced

Travel Time from Portland: 40 Minutes

Perfect For: Climbers looking to learn technical skills or climb tall, adventurous climbs close to Portland.

Trip Length: Half or Full day

French's Dome

French's Dome is an amazing sport climbing crag nestled in the arms of Mt Hood. A great place to learn sport lead climbing, anchor cleaning and multipitch basics. The climbing ranges from 5.5 to 5.13 with a solid concentration of 5.8 sport routes.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced

Travel Time from Portland: 80 Minutes

Perfect For: Beginning to Intermediate climbers looking for a shaded climbing area away from the city.

Trip Length: Full day

Broughton Bluff

Description: An old school crag with lots of history and fun columnar basalt. Close to Portland, easy parking, short approach and running water and bathrooms close by make this a great crag for groups or kids.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced

Travel Time from Portland: 30 Minutes

Perfect For: Climbers looking for an adventure close to Portland. Great for learning crack climbing, trad, anchor building and cleaning. The route The Hobbit Hole is a unique experience that shouldn't be missed!

Trip Length: Half or Full day

Outdoor Calendar

This institution is an equal opportunity provider which operates under a special uses permit with the Mt. Hood National Forest, USDA, Forest Service.

Outdoor Program

Outdoor Classes

Advanced Outdoor Lead

We Provide

Outdoor Class Calendar

Private Guiding

Outdoor Calendar

Hours

PORTLAND ROCK GYM