We are spending a week in Grand Canyon National Park and staying at Mather campground in the middle of March. We want to do some climbing while we are there. We are relativity inexperienced, so we will need a guide or outfitter to take us out. Can you recommend someone to talk to. Thanks for your help. trey moore treytrey@me.com
A great resource is the American mountain guiding association aka the AMGA. Their website has a list of guides and the areas they operate in, hope this helps.
I've never known of much canyon climbing at the Grand. Thought it was mostly desert formations like Zoroaster Temple that had any routes to do. Where is there common easy access rock to climb IN or outside near the Grand Canyon?
There're some sport routes not too far from the start of the Bright Angel trail, for starters. As to a guide, since you've posted so publicly, you could begin by asking the Park who might be available, and legal, to operate commercially. And if you don't want to do that, then quietly ask around -- shops and regional guide services --- or follow some of the suggestions you'll see here.
Unfortunately commercially guided rock climbing is not a permitted activity in the Grand Canyon. So please beware of any guide/outfitter claiming to do so. Also many do claim to be certified guides with the American Mountain Guides Association but are in fact not. Check the web at amga.com to find a list of truly certified guides in AZ. Click the find a guide tab.
I would recommend climbing with someone in Flagstaff or Prescott area on your way back to Phoenix of this is where you are traveling.
Check out my site southwestclimbing.com or flagstaffclimbing.com for certified guides in the area.
Safe Climbing!
Ben Traxler Owner - Southwest Climbing and Adventures AMGA Certified Rock Guide