Small Cliffs Guiding

Your go-to Guide Service for rock climbing,mountaineering, ice

climbing, backpacking, and more in Connecicut and New England

Upcoming Courses

Highlights and news

Private Rock Climbing

Lets get out climbing this Spring! Do you have goals that you want to crush this year, skills you want to learn, or simply climbs that you want to get on? Well look no further! Sign up for a day of private guiding, we’ll chat about your goals for the day, and build a plan to meet them! Available in CT, NH, and limited areas of NY

Private Rock Climbing

Wednesday Workshops

Wednesdays are for learning the ropes during our flagship gym to crag class! This course is hosted over four Wednesday evenings in April at City Climb Gym in New Haven from 7-9. We will take you through a skills progression designed to get you from gym climbing to outdoor top roping in no time!

Wednesday Workshops

INtro to Climbing

Are you a gym climber that’s looking to take the first step to climbing outside? Have you never climbed before and want to see what the hype is about? Do you want to take the family on an unforgettable trip? Look no further than one of our Intro to Climbing Events! No Experience required, and all equipment included!

Intro To Climbing

Intro to Sport Climbing

Do you want to take your climbing to the next level and learn what lead climbing entails? Sure you can learn in the climbing gym, but leading outside involves its own nuances and skills that you don’t get from gym instruction. Join us at Hanging Mountain in MA and learn, from start to finish, belaying to falling, how to sport climb like a pro.

Intro to Sport Climbing

Self Rescue Clinic

Have you ever found yourself, mind drifting while belaying your partner, what you would do if they fell and got injured? Did you feel confident in your ability to rescue them or yourself from a tough spot? If the answer was no, then we highly suggest taking this self rescue course and making yourself a more competent and safer climber.

Self Rescue Clinic

Trad Climbing Clinic

Do you sport climbing but have visions of splitter cracks in the desert, towering walls in Yosemite, jagged ridges in the Rockies? Then Trad climbing is the next step you need to up your game. Learn how to build solid and robust anchors, place and evaluate protection, and more! This is the year to elevate your climbing game.

Trad Climbing Clinic

Upcoming group classes

private guiding is available 7 days a week

Upcoming Courses!
Top Rope Anchors Group Class - PINNACLE ROCK, CT
Apr 18
Top Rope Anchors Group Class - PINNACLE ROCK, CT

Gym climbers, this is for you! Join us in Killingworth, CT and learn how to construct anchors for climbing. ONLY $200! If you want to become self-sufficient this fall, and climb more outdoors, then this is for you! We will cover all of the necessary skills to set up your own ropes, all conveniently located near the I91 corridor.

1/2 Day Outdoor Climbing at Chatfield Hollow in Killingworth, CT
Apr 18
1/2 Day Outdoor Climbing at Chatfield Hollow in Killingworth, CT

Do you want to try climbing? Do you want to climb outdoors for the first time? Then join us near Chatfield Hollow, CT for this Intro to Outdoor Climbing Class. Only $115! No experience necessary. If you have ever wanted to see what all of the hype was about outdoor climbing, then this is the group for you! Space is limited, sign up today!

Self rescue clinic at Pinnacle Rock
Apr 19
Self rescue clinic at Pinnacle Rock

This course is for the outdoor climber who wants to be prepared for when things go awry while climbing. If you climb long enough, you will eventually run into a situation where simply knowing how to belay just won’t cut it. When that happens, are you prepared? Can you rig a non-standard rappel? Can you ascend a rope? Haul or lower a stuck or injured partner with an ATC? If the answer is no, then consider signing up for this course and learning how! Learn these skills now, and be thankful later. Space is limited for this one. Prior experience top roping is a must.

1/2 Day Outdoor Climbing at Whitestone Cliffs in Plymouth, CT
Apr 19
1/2 Day Outdoor Climbing at Whitestone Cliffs in Plymouth, CT

Do you want to try climbing? Do you want to climb outdoors for the first time? Then join us near Plainville CT for this Intro to Outdoor Climbing Class. Only $115! No experience necessary. If you have ever wanted to see what all of the hype was about outdoor climbing, then this is the group for you! Space is limited, sign up today!

Sport Climbing Intro at Hanging Mountain in Sandisfield, MA
Apr 26
Sport Climbing Intro at Hanging Mountain in Sandisfield, MA

Are you a climber who wants to take the next steps into the world of lead climbing? Have you seen the bolts in your gym, or at your local crag, and wondered just how in the heck to do that? If so, come learn with us! Only $200! We will teach you everything you need to know to sport climb outdoors. We will cover belayer and climber considerations, anchor building, and more! Space is limited for this one. Prior experience top roping is a must.

Trad Climbing Intro At Pinnacle Rock, Plainville, CT
May 2
Trad Climbing Intro At Pinnacle Rock, Plainville, CT

Learn Trad Climbing! Have you wanted to take the leap from sport climbing and learn the dark arts of Trad Climbing? Ready to unlock the final boss of rock climbing? Learn how in this 1 day small group class for only $200! This course will teach you how to place trad gear, how to build anchors, and how to lead with Trad gear. Prior lead experience indoors or sport climbing is required.

Top Rope Anchors Group Class - PINNACLE ROCK, CT
May 16
Top Rope Anchors Group Class - PINNACLE ROCK, CT

Gym climbers, this is for you! Join us in Killingworth, CT and learn how to construct anchors for climbing. ONLY $200! If you want to become self-sufficient this fall, and climb more outdoors, then this is for you! We will cover all of the necessary skills to set up your own ropes, all conveniently located near the I91 corridor.

Trad Climbing Intro At Ragged Mountain, Southington, CT (Copy)
May 17
Trad Climbing Intro At Ragged Mountain, Southington, CT (Copy)

Learn Trad Climbing! Have you wanted to take the leap from sport climbing and learn the dark arts of Trad Climbing? Ready to unlock the final boss of rock climbing? Learn how in this 1 day small group class for only $200! This course will teach you how to place trad gear, how to build anchors, and how to lead with Trad gear. Prior lead experience indoors or sport climbing is required.

See what our customers have to say!

quotes taken from Google reviews

  • Jen

    We will definitely be climbing with Andy again! We had the best time! He is knowledgable, safe, and encouraging. We did a private session with our little family of 3. Our first time climbing outside together! Myself, Husband, and our 10 year old. Andy is very friendly and personable, he was also kind and patient with our son. It was an awesome experience! Thanks Andy!

  • John

    Amazing instruction and guiding! I’ve climbed outside for years, but Andy gave me brilliant structured training on safety on emergency information. Super respectful of everyone’s time in the group event! Andy is amazing, whether you’re just starting with climbing or as seasoned as they come. Looking forward to next event!

  • Vania

    Amazing time! The pitches and pints event was super welcoming. It was my first time ever climbing, like ever, and couldn’t have imagined it going any better. Andy was a great guide and super motivating. All gear was provided and instructions were clear and made me feel very secure. Definitely will be attending a future event.

  • Alisha

    Andy was an incredible guide and teacher during my Top Rope Anchors class. He was professional, courteous, fun and supportive. I learned so much and had a blast doing it. I highly recommend Small Cliffs Guiding to anyone hoping to increase their knowledge and skill set in the outdoor climbing community. Thanks Andy! Hope to climb again with you sometime!

Our lead guide Andy Scott bundled up for the cold on a winter ascent of Mt Washington. We guide in the mountains of New Hampshire in the winter months!
Climbs with a view in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rock Climbing takes you to a ton of cool places.
Our Founder Andy Scott on top of Mt Baker after guiding a successful climb! Learn how to ascend large mountains, cross glaciers, and work as a rope team with Small Cliffs Guiding.
Small Cliffs guiding is your go to source for Single Pitch climbing in the state of Connecticut and the Adirondacks in New York. We specialize in curated educational experiences. We will teach you the skills necessary to succeed climbing outdoors.
Our founder, Andy Scott, teaching an intro to top rope anchors course. This is one of our flagship courses. You will learn the skills necessary to set up top rope anchors outdoors on natural features, trees, boulders, etc.
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