Climbing

Year-round climbing is a grand gift of local geography and climate in Southern California, and it should not go to waste!

Caltech's location just north of the LA sprawl gives our community easy access to a variety of climbing destinations in and beyond Southern California. Local climbing spots are suited to a wide diversity of climbing disciplines. From bouldering, sport, and traditional-style climbing to rock scrambling in the High Sierra, just about any climber (or aspiring climber!) can find adventure in our region (a hat tip to ice-climbers, who might have to drive just a bit farther...).

CAC doesn't teach climbing directly or lead climbing trips, but we offer discounts on classes hosted by Stone Adventures in Joshua Tree National Park. We also host bi-weekly group trips to local climbing gyms (in non-pandemic circumstances), especially Stronghold Climbing Gym, which are open to all skill levels and are sometimes followed by grabbing drinks at local favorite Barbara's Brewery! You can also climb right on Caltech's campus in the bouldering cave located in the Braun Athletic Center.

Fall and Spring are the perennial favorite climbing seasons in Southern California, with endless opportunities in the Sierra, San Gabriels, San Jacintos, the Mojave/Sonora/Colorado desert, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Riverside and the inland empire, Yosemite, western Arizona, and more. Summer climbers can find refuge from the heat in the High Sierra and San Jacintos, in the growing trend of nighttime climbing in the desert (don't forget the spotlights), or in indoor climbing gyms and rec centers near Pasadena. Winter climbers might scurry toward the deserts, enjoying warm days and chilly nights on routes in Joshua Tree or San Diego, or more intrepid mountain objectives.

Caltech Alpine Club can help you--the community of anyone who takes thrill at ascending pebbles or mountains--take full advantage of our beautiful geography and geology.

More information on CAC climbing and related resources can be found here.