"Better we raise our skill than lower the climb.”
-Royal Robbins
Why hire a guide or instructor?
Simply put, climbing is dangerous. guides and instructors are professionals. They have extensive climbing knowledge and climbing experience. They know the areas, have the skills, the certifications, the insurance, the equipment, and the knowledge to effectively mitigate the risks of the outdoor climbing experience. They are not just climbers, but teachers who are well practiced in teaching and instructing others on various knots, climbing techniques, climbing gear, belaying techniques, anchoring, cleaning, rappelling, etc...
Elevate skills. Mitigate Risk.
Although climbing should never be regarded as a safe activity, hiring a guide or instructor will add valuable knowledge to your own personal toolbox of skills and techniques. It can also help you identify and mitigate risk on your own climbing adventures. Increased skill and knowledge will elevate your days outdoors on the rock, your skills as a climbing partner, and your assessment and mitigation of the various risks you are exposed to while in the climbing environment.
A curated climbing experience.
Guides and instructors are well traveled within the areas in which they work. Often, areas may not have guidebooks and you may be left piecing together research telling you where to park, how to get to the area, what the approach is like, and beta from across a slew of online platforms or word of mouth.
They are familiar with the rock, the routes, the beta (how to climb a route), the grades, what the grades for the area feel like, (Is it graded soft or is it sandbagged?) the environment, and the hazards. They know the land managers and have the proper permits.
In short, guides and instructors take the guesswork out of the equation and give you a well crafted, curated, climbing experience that is appropriate for your skill level or desired experience.
Build your skills.
Increase your knowledge.
Mitigate your risk.