Looking to pay for guided big wall climbing partner in Yosemite

Hi fellow climbers!

I know I'm going to get a lot of heat (apologies in advance) for this but I'm looking for a guided big wall climb in Yosemite (I've never big wall climbed before - but everyone has to start somewhere right?). I've been living in the bay area for 5 years now and will be promptly moving towards the end of the year. It's been a dream of mine to do a big wall climb in Yosemite and now on a timeline (ideally I'd wish I could get certified and figure it out with a partner) and don't know when I'll get the chance to do this again. I figured it'll probably help benefit somethat could use the extra cash too.

If you think you can how someone fulfil their dream that would be awesome! Summer is almost done so I would be able to go ASAP through one of these weekends.

Here is my background on my climbing experience:

- V.5-V.6 boulder / 5.11d - 5.12a in GYM  
- I've done Pinnacles (Lead) 5.8-5.10c , Castle Rock 5.9-5.10c  (Lead), Montserrat, Barcelona , Spai(  5.9a 7 pitch non-lead), Cathederal Peak (5 pitch lead)

- 3 years or climbing

Equipment I have:
- Standard Trad Rack, Helmet, Shoes, Harness, Chalkbag, 50liter Haulbag, 60M Wetrope, 30degree sleeping bag, backpacking airmattress. I will get/rent any great needed for the both of us too.

Open to any routes but wanted to see if you can recommend some first time routes (possibly on El Capitan wall). 

I will be willing to compensate for time and teaching. Let me know if anyone is interested out there and pm me! 

Cheers!

Rock Lee wrote:

I will be willing to compensate for time and teaching. Let me know if anyone is interested out there and pm me! 

If you're willing to pay for it, why not just hire a legit guide in Yosemite? You can hire a private guide for one-on-one instruction and guiding:

http://www.yosemite.com/what-to-do/yosemite-mountaineering-school-guide-service/

Any idea how much one on one guiding up so cap might cost through YMS? Just interested...sounds expensive...

Jon Marek wrote:

Any idea how much one on one guiding up so cap might cost through YMS? Just interested...sounds expensive...

They have rates posted under the "Guided Rock Climbing" tab here: http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/rock-climbing/

Might be a bit more money but it will be legal, which is important, and you will likely have a better time with a more experienced guide that's guided (not just climbed) the route more than a few times and knows it well. Additionally, they are well trained and safe; those things are increasingly hard to come by and even harder to judge if you don't know what to look for. I know Greg Coit at the YMS has guided El Cap a bunch with many satisfied customers, of course he's my friend so I would recommend him before anybody else. Nice, mellow dude which is a big plus when you're spending several days jammed on a ledge together and a hell of a strong climber to boot. Food for thought.

There are walls in Yosemite (I haven't climbed them) that are less committing than El Capitan and would be less expensive. Maybe Washington Column or Leaning Tower?

+1 for Greg Coit, that dude is awesome

Look up Peton Pete, he is always looking for stoked climbers to teach the aid climbing ways! The dude has slept over 600 nights on El capitán last time I checked, probably way more by now.

Benjamin Mitchell wrote:

They have rates posted under the "Guided Rock Climbing" tab here: http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/rock-climbing/

For those who don't want to click links. Posted rate is 4600-5800 USD. Interesting, never knew.

Maybe if you wander around camp 4 with a handle of whiskey and a hundred dolla bill some guy might drag you (halfway?) up a grade V. Safe? Probably not. I don't recommend doing this. YMMV 

Edit to add: you should be fully "racked up" while courting potential mates to demonstrate value

Jon Marek wrote:

For those who don't want to click links. Posted rate is 4600-5800 USD. Interesting, never knew.

Holy shit that’s pricey! Almost $6,000 to go up El Cap. 

Climbin Symon wrote:

Holy shit that’s pricey! Almost $6,000 to go up El Cap. 

How much would you drag an unknown stranger up El Cap for?

AndrewArroz wrote:

How much would you drag an unknown stranger up El Cap for?

...a much more interesting discussion...

You could do like a 21 day Denali expedition for that price haha

AndrewArroz wrote:

How much would you drag an unknown stranger up El Cap for?

Had never thought about it. Just shocking but I guess people pay $60,000-80,000 to get dragged up Everest. 

Again, for the umpteenth time, it is ILLEGAL for non-YMS guiding in the Park, whether or not you agree with the concessionaire policy. You will get what you pay for with YMS, and even better, they are INSURED if you and your low-rent "guide" have an accident. 

Hey Rock!

I'm going to go ahead and recommend this gentleman. He may even teach you his cutting edge hauling method. 

Good luck!  No, really.  Good luck.

Don't feed the troll

As is frequently said on supertopo:

YER

GONNA

DIE.

Ryan Huetter wrote:

You will get what you pay for with YMS. 

I did not.

The day I engaged Yosemite Mountaineering School was the second-worst day of private guiding in my life.

Got less than half as much climbing in a day as I've gotten around California with other guide services.

Main reason was inferior Communication style. Seemed to me the mentality of YMS was the regimented style of a "School", not working with a specific individual.

. . . Also the guide botched the set-up of a single-pitch route in the afternoon, and that wasted some time (partly a result of lack of advance communication). Then I was told that we were done with the day -- had to get back to School office at the fixed time - (never mind daylight).

Perhaps the single-service concession deal makes sense for the School function. But for private guiding it's ridiculous to have a monopoly -- not just for cost competition, but to bring in a whole new level of service.

Ken

U  can hire a guided out of the climbing shop in curry village