50 Non-Textbook Anchors I Trusted My Life To
How to confidently build strong and fast rock climbing anchors in the real world
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Does it take you longer than 2 minutes to build a bomber rock climbing anchor? Do doubts of your anchor's strength have you nervously adding more gear, and burning precious daylight? Do you hate being passed or tailgated by other climbers on popular routes? Has your partner ever given your anchor the long-stare when they arrive at your belay? If you said yes to any of these questions, then your anchor building skills have room for improvement. This course shows you how to build real-world anchors that are super strong, and are quick to build. This course will give you a working knowledge of the optimal gear used to build climbing anchors, their limitations, and their advantages. It will give you several new "tools" for your anchor building toolbox. These are critical skill for tackling bigger routes.
We start with a foundational level of anchors, and then build toward advanced techniques and "tricks" that will help you create strong and fast anchors. We then dive into the decision making process of some real world examples. The course is designed specifically for those that are into multi-pitch rock climbing, and climbers that want an insider's look at an IFMGA guide's thought process regarding the anchors he chooses to build in a host of different, common and uncommon, situations.
This course is not for beginner climbers. The content and concepts might be out of their league. After getting some climbing experience, climbing with a guide or mentor for a couple seasons, they will be ready for the content of this course.
Additionally, when you enroll in this course you will also have access to a private Facebook group that will be administered by Mark Smiley, where the learning continues. In the group you will receive direct feedback on YOUR anchor photos. Making this course the kick starter on your journey to become a faster and safer climber!
You will learn the KNOWLEDGE of these skills, but the APPLICATION of these skills needs to be applied under the watchful eye of a mentor or certified guide. This course does not perfectly replace real time instruction and feedback. Yet it might be better than some real life courses out there! Especially if your instructor only thinks they know what they are talking about.
So if your dreaming about tackling your first Grade IV or V climb, this course will help prepare you to send in style.
Your Instructor
Mark Smiley has been climbing, skiing and guiding for the better part of this life. His passion for adventure has taken him around the world. 5 Denali expeditions, and 20+ expeditions to places like China, Peru, Ecuador, Across Europe, Canada and Alaska, have given Mark a ton of experience to draw from.
He and his wife are the only people in the world to have climbing on all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). Additionally, he was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range in a mere 36 days.
His teaching style is fun, concise and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, he is among the world's elite guides to reach this status. More important than this certification, is his candid style of conveying to you the best of the best information and techniques that will really help you. Through this course you will tap into his expertise, skills, and knowledge for real world learning.
You can interact with Mark via his website: smileysproject.com
Instagram feed @smileysproject
Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm super excited to teach you the many lessons I've learned over the years about building strong and fast anchors. I'm also looking forward to you joining the private Facebook group where the learning will continue." - Mark Smiley