Ultra classic sandstone rock climbing of Moab. From beginner top roping to unforgettable towers.
Season
Year round
Skill Level
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Duration
6-8 hours
Group Size
1-12
An Alpine to the Max rock climbing outing in Moab is a comprehensive immersion into one of the most technically demanding and visually stunning landscapes in the world. Our courses are meticulously structured to bridge the gap between indoor climbing and the nuanced demands of desert sandstone, emphasizing a philosophy of mentorship and technical mastery. We believe that a guided day should be more than just a trip to the top; it is an opportunity to refine your mountaincraft under the guidance of top-tier professionals who prioritize safety, environmental ethics, and the specific mechanics of desert climbing. From the moment we meet at the trailhead, the focus is on your progression, ensuring you leave with not only a successful summit but also a refined understanding of rope management and movement.
The curriculum of our outings is highly adaptable, catering to everyone from first-time climbers to seasoned veterans looking to transition into traditional lead climbing. For those new to the area, we often begin at accessible crags such as Wall Street or the Ice Cream Parlor, where the concentration of routes allows for high-volume practice in crack climbing techniques like hand jams, finger locks, and stems. As you gain confidence, the instruction shifts toward the complexities of the desert environment, including gear placement in parallel fissures, the construction of multi-directional anchors, and the specific considerations of climbing on Wingate and Navajo sandstone. We aim to deconstruct the intimidation factor of the desert, turning daunting vertical faces into a manageable and rewarding classroom.
For the ambitious climber, our multi-pitch tower objectives offer a masterclass in efficiency and high-angle systems. Standing atop iconic formations like Ancient Art or Castleton Tower requires more than just physical strength; it demands streamlined transitions at belay stations and precise rappelling skills. Our guides facilitate these bucket-list ascents while providing real-time feedback on your technical execution, ensuring that every move you make is safe and deliberate. By the conclusion of your time with Alpine to the Max, you will have experienced the profound silence and vast scale of the Colorado Plateau from a vantage point few ever reach, equipped with the specialized skills necessary to continue your vertical pursuits with newfound confidence.
Max Lurie - Alpine to the Max
With a degree in environmental science and a focus on glaciology, Max’s deep understanding of mountain environments is only matched by his passion for them. He began his career in 2012 in New Hampshire, where he became an EMT and started guiding. Moving west, he earned his American Mountain Guides Association certifications in both rock and alpine disciplines. In 2020, he founded Alpine to the Max, an AMGA-accredited guide service that now operates throughout Colorado. He also teaches professional avalanche education for Silverton Avalanche School. When not teaching or guiding, you can find him mountain biking in the desert southwest with his fiancée.
A custom rock climbing day in Moab is defined by its total flexibility, allowing the itinerary to shift based on the movement of the sun, the texture of the sandstone, and your specific vertical ambitions. For those seeking a high-volume "cragging" day, the morning might begin along the Potash Road at Wall Street, where the convenience of roadside access allows for back-to-back pitches on classic cracks and desert varnish face climbs. This setting is perfect for refining technical skills like hand jamming or learning the nuances of placing traditional protection in the desert's parallel fissures. As the afternoon heat sets in, a guide might transition the session to the shaded corridors of the Ice Cream Parlor or the cooler elevations of the La Sal Mountains, ensuring the rock remains friction-ready and the atmosphere stays comfortable for maximum climbing time.
Alternatively, a custom day can be structured around a singular, iconic objective, such as a multi-pitch ascent of a world-famous desert tower. This "big objective" style of guiding often starts before dawn to capture the first light hitting the red rock of Castle Valley. You might find yourself navigating the airy calcite chimneys of Castleton Tower or the surreal, corkscrewed summit of Ancient Art in the Fisher Towers. These days focus less on the number of routes and more on the complexity of the mountaincraft involved, including efficient belay transitions, multi-pitch rappelling systems, and the psychological steadying required for high-exposure summits. Your guide handles the technical heavy lifting and navigation, allowing you to focus entirely on the movement and the staggering 360-degree views of the Colorado River winding below.
For families or groups with mixed experience levels, a custom day is often a curated tour of Moab’s most scenic and accessible hidden gems. A guide might lead you to the School Room or Looking Glass Arch, where the approach is short, and the rewards are massive. These outings often blend technical instruction with local lore, as guides share insights into the Jurassic-aged geology and the ancient cultures that once traversed these canyons. Because the day is entirely bespoke, the pace can slow down for photos and snacks under a desert juniper, or ramp up into a rigorous training session designed to prep you for independent lead climbing. Ultimately, a guided day in Moab is an exercise in "choosing your own adventure" across a landscape that offers everything from top roping to multi-pitch towers.
Not at all. One of the primary benefits of a custom day is that the itinerary is built around your specific skill level. We can spend the day on beginner-friendly "slabs" at the School Room, focusing on the basics of movement and safety, or we can tackle advanced "splitter" cracks if you are an experienced climber looking to refine your technique.
We provide all the specialized technical equipment, including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and all necessary traditional climbing gear. You are responsible for bringing your own climbing shoes (though rentals can be arranged), a small backpack, plenty of water (at least 2–3 liters), sun protection, and a packed lunch. We recommend wearing comfortable, athletic clothing that can withstand the abrasive nature of sandstone.
The "prime" seasons are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when temperatures are mild, and the rock is most comfortable to touch. However, Moab is a year-round destination; in the winter, we climb on south-facing walls that act as solar collectors.
Absolutely. If you have a "bucket list" summit in mind, we can dedicate your custom day to a single multi-pitch objective. These outings require a higher level of fitness and a basic understanding of belaying, but they offer the most iconic views in the American West. Please mention your specific goal when booking so we can ensure the logistics are perfectly aligned.
A standard full day usually lasts between 6 and 8 hours, including the approach hike to the base of the climbs. We typically meet in the morning to take advantage of the best light and temperatures, but since the day is custom, we can adjust start times to accommodate your travel schedule or specific weather windows.
Alpine to the Max is an independent certified guide with more than a decade of experience in a wide variety of terrain. No matter your current skill level, when you climb with us you get a top-notch experience that is fully customized to meet your exact desires.
