Your Source for outdoor adventure!
At Small Cliffs Guiding, we pride ourselves on providing fun and educational outdoor experiences for all. We set ourselves apart by always striving to explain the “why”. In such a complex environment as climbing, we challenge our clients to learn to think critically, not simply follow dogma. We offer Single pitch climbing and guided hiking throughout Connecticut and the North East. Whether you are a true beginner looking to experience climbing or hiking for the first time, a gym climber looking to become self-sufficient outdoors, or simply looking for a grand tour of the area, we can craft a day to meet your ambitions. Reach out and we can discuss your goals, and develop a program for you! Please contact us with any questions, to chat about goals, or to set up a custom trip!
Highlights and news
Military Specials
We are excited to offer discounts to Soldiers and Families of the US Army’s Mountain Units. We are also excited to be offering discounted climbing near Fort Drum, NY from 14-19 June, 2024!
Gym to Crag Weekend
We are offering a Gym to Crag Weekend May 17th and 18th from 9am-430pm, for $400. Learn how to set top rope anchors, rappels, and much more! Space is limited. Book today and enjoy the summer outdoors!
Top rope 101
We are currently booking our Top Rope Anchors Courses for May 26th from 9am-430pm, for $200. Spend a day learning how to set up top rope anchors outdoors. Space is limited. Don’t miss out!
UPCOMING Courses
UPCOMING Courses
May 26, 2024, 900am-430pm
Connecticut
Max Ratio: 1 guide : 4 clients
Minimum participants needed: 2
Cost: $200 per person
Intro to Top Rope Anchors
Learn the skills needed to build top rope anchors in various types of terrain. This intro to anchors course will cover how to use static rope, slings, and cordelettes to build anchors on natural features (trees, boulders, etc). This course is critical knowledge for all outdoor climbers in their journey to self-sufficiency outdoors. This course will teach clients how to evaluate terrain for suitability, tie knots (to include a BHK, Bowline, clove hitch, and figure-8 follow through) and place their anchor master-point to allow for appropriate lines of ascent.
Price Includes All Technical gear as needed - Helmet, Harness, Shoes, Ropes - and qualified guides.
May 05 2024, 1000am-200pm
Connecticut
Max Ratio: 1 guide : 4 clients
Minimum participants needed: 2
Cost: $145 per person
Intro to Rappelling - SOLD OUT
Spend a half day outside with an experienced guide learning how to descend from the top of a cliff with a rope and modern climbing gear (Rappelling). You will gain knowledge of basic rappelling skills, rappel extensions, third hand back ups, and fireman belays. Emphasis in this course will be how to descend a rope in the most secure manner possible, while working to mitigate a variety of hazards that rappelling presents. This course will be split between on the ground training, and actually descending ropes. You will gain confidence navigating rappels on various terrain.
Price Includes All Technical gear as needed - Helmet, Harness, Shoes, Ropes - and qualified guides.
Are you new to climbing and want to climb outdoors? Are you a gym climber that wants to transition to outdoor climbing? An outdoor climber looking to learn new skills? Do you value personalized instruction catered to your specific requests? Then a day (or more) of private instruction is what you need! Without the needs of a group, we can craft and individualized plan for you, and provide the experience that you deserve. We can go go outdoor climbing for the first time, teach you how to setup anchors, rappels, sport and trad climbing, self rescue skills, and more! Reach out, and start planning your trip with us!
Price Includes All Technical gear as needed - Helmet, Harness, Shoes, Ropes - and qualified guides.
May 17th-18th 2024, 900am-430pm - Both Days
Connecticut
Max Ratio: 1 guide : 4 clients
Minimum participants needed: 2
Cost: $400 per person
GYm to crag weekend
Two full days out with one of our certified guides learning how to translate your skills in the gym to climbing outdoors. Day one will largely consist of learning how to make top rope anchors on both natural and bolted features. We will discuss a variety of knots and hitches, and explore different ways that we can make a suitable anchor. We will climb on all of our anchors to build confidence. Day two will cover a variety of topics. Key points will include rappelling, as well as how to clean bolted rappel stations. Students who are lead certified in a climbing gym can expect instruction on leading sport routes outdoors, and specific outdoor considerations.
Price Includes All Technical gear as needed - Helmet, Harness, Shoes, Ropes - and qualified guides.
Any Day, 830am-400pm, or 900am-430pm
Connecticut
Max Ratio: 1 guide : 6 clients
Minimum participants needed: 2
Cost: $400 for 1 client, $100 for each additional client
Private Guiding
