Climbing- Rock/Tree (COE) - Spring 2025

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. This class is open to anyone.

PE 1643 - Introduction to Routesetting

Intro to Routesetting is meant for the climber who has significant climbing experience and is interested in the process of creating climbing movement on the wall. Through this course you will learn how to use industry standard tools and practices to create fun, safe, and aesthetic bouldering problems. Attention will be given to safety precautions, both for the setter and for the climber, hold selection and attachment, giving and receiving feedback during forerunning, and editing your work to achieve your goals. Time permitting, an introduction to Working at Height may also be covered.

PE 1645 - Southwest Climbing Expedition

Take your climbing to new heights on the sandstone of the southwest over spring break. Red Rock, NV has it all: sunny weather, long traditional routes, awesome sport climbing, and spectacular scenery. We'll spend eight days camping and climbing in this land of canyons and giants. With one instructor for every two students we have the flexibility to do anything; from starting to trad lead and building anchors to long multi-pitch routes.

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 more 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 1654 - Ice Climbing

Join us as we tiptoe up frozen waterfalls in the beautiful setting of the Adirondack Mountains. Come learn the fundamentals of this incredibly unique form of climbing while enjoying a long weekend in the beauty of a Northeastern winter. This course will take place in very cold temperatures during the day and includes indoor lodging at night. Emphasis is on front pointing and belayed technical climbing - techniques best suited to the steep water ice typically found in the Northeast. Covers equipment, German technique (front pointing), tool selection and placement, and winter safety and comfort.

PE 1655 - Introduction to Traditional Lead Climbing

This class will teach you the skills needed to start trad climbing on your own. Learn to place and evaluate trad gear, build trad anchors, belay from above, and rappel. We will introduce skills at the Lindseth Climbing Center and travel for a weekend climbing and camping in the 'Gunks to get experience on 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.

PE 1659 - Redwoods Tree Climbing

Join Cornell Tree Climbing Institute staff for the experience of a lifetime - climbing some of the largest trees on the planet! Each spring we will travel to the western slope of the High Sierra mountains of California. We'll spend a week assisting the UC Berkeley Department of Forest Ecology with Giant Sequoia restoration and ecology research. Students will learn the basics of roped tree climbing, including ascending, moving around in the canopy, and rappelling. Students will also have the opportunity, weather permitting, to sleep overnight in the top of the trees.  We will stay in a rustic mountain house with limited facilities. All gear, instruction, food and lodging, and on-ground transportation is included in the course fee.