Yosemite Rock Climbing Trips
Rock Climbing - Basic Rock Climbing Weekends - Reviews
Hi Ian, 
I wanted to let you know that Kim, Todd and I had an awesome time
climbing with Jerry Anderson on our two-day climbing trip back in June.
Jerry exceeded our expectations for a guide. He was very knowledgeable
about climbing, the area, Yosemite folklore, safety, and etc and had a
great disposition about working with us. I can honestly say that I did
some of the best climbing in my life when working with him. He also
taught us some multi-pitch and trad technique that we were able to use
when we went off on our own. I just can't say enough about how much fun
and success we had.
I know that I made the right decision choosing SYMG (over YMS or anyone
else) for our guided climbing. You were all very helpful and I appreciate that. I've already recommended SYMG to one of my climbing buddies. Thank you.
Regards, Mike Kastner
- Mike Kastner, July, 2006
Another great trip with SYMG and guide Jerry Anderson. This was my second trip rock climbing with Jerry. He was fun, very informative and very safe. Additionally the food was great! Thanks for providing the service that you do. I look forward to my next adventure with you.
- Matt Rowan, Sept. 2004
We enjoyed Howdy (Chris) and Jerry very much, they are outstanding individuals and would trust them with our lives on any climb. They are as colorful in personality as they are knowledgeable in rock climbing and Southern Yosemite. Our boys, loved the experience, and I could see them being outdoorsmen in another 5 years. We all felt the area was beautiful (even more than Yosemite) and besides some mosquitos, the campground was like a picture on a postcard. We have some incrediable video from the weekend that we will always cherish. It was great for the kids to get away from the city and "chill out" from all the media that seems to hit them... Thank you for the experience! Give us as few years, we hope to be back.
- Amy Ahrensdorf, June 2004
My twelve year old son and I just returned from a weekend rock climbing trip. Each conversation I had yesterday began with "Let me tell you about the great weekend I had". I can truly say I have never had a better family vacation than this weekend. Even my 12 year old son (who believed our rock climbing trip could not "top" Hawaii) said, "This is better than Hawaii!" Casey, our guide was patient, knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. I appreciated his "exceptional ability" to connect with my son. By the end of the first day, Casey had become someone my son looked to for encouragement and support. Casey did this consistently and provided the appropriate limits a 12 year old boy need to hear (again and again). Casey is a great attribute to your staff. He truly went above the role of a guide and acted as a positive role model to my son. I appreciated his generosity of time and his willingness to do this. The activity of rock climbing was a "fit" for my son. He found the challenge rewarding and learned the virtue of persistence. Something every parent wants a young boy to learn. SYMG, thank you for making these opportunities available.
- Terry Soares, September 2000
My sister and I totally enjoyed our rock climbing adventure last week. The climbing was superb and the instruction was even better. Our guide was very thorough and extremely patient. He emphasized safety consistently which made us feel very secure. I learned a great deal in that short time and I thank you for a wonderful experience.
- Marian Yasuda, July 1999
Thank you, my trip was one of the best I've ever taken. We logged more than 20 climbs in three days without losing the relaxing atmosphere of a vacation. When I arrived I was climbing 5.6 at best and by the time I left I was climbing 5.9-5.10. I can't believe how much I learned and can't wait to go again.
- Shannon Kelly, May 1999
Thanks for a wonderful weekend climbing on Sierra granite...it was a weekend I won't forget for a long time.
- Alex Granzin, July 1997
My left leg trembled like a sewing machine needle as I clung to two small ridges with the worn tips of my fingers. I could hear faint words of encouragement echoing up the red sandstone from below, but I was lost in concentration. When you're on the rock, the methodical search for the nearest hold reduces mind and body to an almost meditative state. Placing every drop of my strength onto a minuscule ridge just millimeters wide, I shifted my weight to the foothold, drew my body close to the rock as I stood and reached with my right hand for a gigantic, life-saving, "bomber" hold. With the crux of the climb below me, the rest of the route flowed like a choreographed dance. Every hold was easily within reach and every move second nature. As I neared the top of the route, I climbed out of the shade, and the sun pumped energy into my body. We arrived at So. California's climbing mecca, Joshua Tree Nat'l Park, on a blustery Friday afternoon. Our guides from SYMG stood over a steaming campstove brewing espresso as Andy and I unloaded the car. coffee in hand, Mike led us to the top of a pile of rocks behind our campsite to watch the sunset. When we returned to the campsite, everyone else was gathered around the stove cooking dinner. Our group consisted of four working mothers from Orange County, a businessman from the bay area, and us. The only thing we had in common was our lack of climbing experience. After a quick warm-up Saturday morning, our guides set up ropes for our introduction. Standing below the rock, everyone surveyed the routes with trepidation. An unnamed crack just to the left of a route named Barely Crankin seemed the least of the three evils, and the guides' obvious expertise and easygoing manner gave everyone confidence to get on the rock. By the time all four women had maneuvered their way to the top, we had dubbed the route Babes Crankin in their honor. For all of us, there were times on the rock when every move seemed impossible, when we were nearly frozen by fear. But we all found the strength to continue from the encouragement fo our partners and guides, and we survived on total trust in their reliability. Rock climbing forms unique, funky friendships almost instantly, based on that deep dependence on one another, and as the day wore on, uncomfortable silences between strangers were replaced by casual banter among friends. As the sun sank below the horizon Saturday night, we huddled around the picnic table, feasted on wontons and sushi and tried to outdo each other with the biggest wasabi hit. No conclusive wasabi winner emerged from the pack, but we all had clear sinuses by the end of dinner. Conversation and laughter flowed as freely as the red wine around the campfire, and while anticipation was high about the second day of climbing, we all knew the names of routes and new friends would fade with time, but the exhilaration of climbing and pushing yourself to do something that seems impossible until the exact moment at which you succeed would stay with us forever.
- Adventure West Magazine, February 1997
just wanted to thank you for a spectacular time in the mountains. You guys do a great job at accommodating everybody in the group. And I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times that the food and preparation of all the meals were exceptional. Above all, the climbing was the best--maybe another time we'll get to do more.
- Mary Kowalski, July 1995
Maria McMasters, June 1995
- The guides were very knowledgeable, kind, and great cooks! What I appreciated and admire most though, is SYMG's philosophy to try rock climibng in a supportive, safe environment; and the guides knew how to provide this.
If you have experienced this trip with the guides of SYMG, you can submit your review for inclusion here!