Climbing- Rock/Tree (COE) - Fall 2026

PE 1640 - Basic Rock Climbing

We will introduce you to rock climbing movement and techniques, belaying, equipment, knots, rappelling, and safety. Courses ensure a high degree of individual attention and a supportive space to explore the vertical world! Graduates of this course will have the knowledge and skills to push themselves to new challenges while climbing safely and responsibly.

PE 1641 - Basic Rock Climbing: Closing the Adventure Gap

Adventure Gap: addressing racial disparities that cause minority populations to be much less likely to seek recreation, adventure, and solace in our wilderness spaces. Come climb with COE and take part in the Cornell climbing community! In this special section of Basic Rock Climbing we will introduce you to rock climbing movement and techniques, belaying, equipment, knots, rappelling, and safety at the Lindseth Climbing Center. In addition, we will explore identity, community, and belonging in the outdoors. Courses ensure a high degree of individual and supportive attention. Graduates of this course will build a solid foundation of skills to support future adventures in the vertical world.

PE 1642 - Women's Basic Rock Climbing

Join us to explore the adventure and excitement of rock climbing in a close and supportive community. We will focus on techniques to encourage efficiency, build confidence, enhance fluidity, and develop awareness. In addition to teaching skills and techniques, and providing a supportive atmosphere, we will also examine the history, challenges, development and accomplishments of women as climbers.

PE 1646 - Intermediate Rock Climbing

Refine your climbing skills and get individual coaching to build your techniques on various terrain, learn how to stand on and grip more advanced holds, and expand your climbing repertoire as you piece moves together to work through tricky sequences. This course is designed for those with exposure to rock climbing basics and belay experience.This class does NOT cover the skills necessary for lead climbing. You may consider the Sport Lead Class or a Learn to Lead Lesson.

PE 1647 - Sport Lead Climbing

Sport Lead Climbing focuses on learning the skills needed to safely sport lead climb at the Lindseth Climbing Center and refine your climbing technique towards this style of climbing. Our staff will teach you about sequencing, high angle footwork, endurance and mental conditioning. If you are looking for a faster paced course, you may consider taking Learn to Lead Lesson. For a more technique-focused course, please refer to Technique & Training.

PE 1650 - Rock Climbing: Technique and Training

Technique & Training is meant for the climber who has climbing experience and is striving to reach the next level but can't quite get there on their own. This course is designed to improve your climbing technique through climbing specific training and cross-training conditioning. You will learn how to build and implement a climbing training routine, safely and effectively use a campus board and hang board, and participate in balanced muscle development to help prevent injury and keep climbing for a lifetime! Though this class meets once each week, it is expected that students will climb at least one other time during the week. This course does not cover the skills necessary for lead climbing, please refer to: Sport Lead Climbing.

PE 1651 - Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing

Learn basic rock climbing skills on real rock! We'll spend a glorious weekend climbing, tent camping, and relaxing at Minnewaska State Park in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. We will cover climbing equipment and technique, knots, belaying, rappelling, and natural history.

PE 1653 - Shawangunks Rock Climbing

Enjoy world-class rock climbing at one of the premier areas in the US, the Shawangunks! After two introductory classes at the Lindseth Climbing Center, we will travel to the 'Gunks for 4 days of rock climbing that will teach you the skills to follow multi-pitch climbs. During fall foliage the natural beauty of the 'Gunks is superb and the climbing is some of the best in the world. A student-to-instructor ratio of 2:1 ensures individual attention and plenty of climbing for all.

PE 1656 - Outdoor Anchor Building

Come learn how to build climbing anchors for your outdoor adventures! In this course you will learn anchor building best practices, get hands on use with different types of anchor building material including appropriate knots and general care, learn how to place various types of traditional protection, route finding and base management, and how to keep yourself safe while working at the edge of a cliff. We will cover trip logistics and anchor building basics in two classroom sessions and go leave campus for a weekend of building anchors, climbing, and camping! This is your opportunity to build self sufficiency and take your climbing to real rock.

PE 1657 - Tree Climbing

Whether you are a rain forest canopy researcher, an arborist, or just a kid at heart, everyone loves to climb trees. Recall the excitement and sense of adventure when you first crawled into the branches to look inside a bird's nest. Then you swung from limb to limb without a thought of ropes and harnesses. But what about that big tree down the street you always wanted to climb, but couldn't reach the first branch? This course will teach you how to use ropes and technical climbing gear to reach the top of any tree, to move around, and even to climb from tree to tree without returning to the ground.