Looking for guided climbs for student group

[DownesVanZandt]

Right now it's between Granite Arches and RRO guide services. Anyone have an argument for one or the other?

[EricDorsey]

Well do you want to climb in the NC,TN and Georgia or the Red??? It appears they guide in two totally different areas of the country... So decide where you want to go then choose accordingly, cant hold your hand on every decision!

[DownesVanZandt]

Well do you want to climb in the NC,TN and Georgia or the Red??? It appears they guide in two totally different areas of the country... So decide where you want to go then choose accordingly, cant hold your hand on every decision!

Necessary? Next time, just keep your answer to yourself.

I realize they guide in two totally different areas. Because we can travel to any of the locations mentioned above, I'd prefer to base my decision on which guide service will provide the best experience.

Jesus...

[climb2core]

I don't know Granite Arches and consequently have no opinion about them. However, I do note that they advertise climbing in the south east and but do not list the RRG as an area they guide at.

http://www.granitearches.com/rock_climb ... uction.htm

If you intend on coming to the RRG, I would suggest with hiring a local guide. They will tend to know the area better and I believe may be able to provide you with a unique climbing experience that you may not be able to get with someone who does not live and routinely guide in the area. I also just tend to be a believer in supporting local businesses in places that I like to go.

Lastly, I think many on this site will vouch for the excellent job that RRO does.

Just my 2 cents.

[climb2core]

I would tend to think I would pick location first and then guide second. I had assumed you had chosen the RRG and were getting Granite Arches guide at the RRG. I doubt you will find many people that can make educated comparative comments between these two guiding out-fits. I would ask around on the climbing boards in the other areas if you want to know what people say. My guess is that most of the guiding services out there would provide you with a quality experience in the area they guide in and that if they were not good they would not be in business very long.

Make up your mind where you want to climb,

Jesus.

[EricDorsey]

I would tend to think I would pick location first and then guide second. I had assumed you had chosen the RRG and were getting Granite Arches guide at the RRG. I doubt you will find many people that can make educated comparative comments between these to guiding out-fits. I would ask around on the climbing boards in the other areas if you want to know what people say. My guess is that most of the guiding services out there would provide you with a quality experience in the area they guide in and that if they were not good they would not be in business very long.

Make up your mind where you want to climb,

Jesus.

Agreed!

Sorry but people have already given you a lot of information regarding the different areas. Seeing as this is REDriverclimbing.com and RedRiverOutdoors personally answered your question I am going to say that most people will recommend RRO. And as C2C said most people on here do not use guiding services anyway. Time to just make a decision and go with out, you will have a good time at either destination. Perhaps do a little research into the different areas yourself and choose from that?

[milspecmark]

I think you will have a better exerience in The Red. Therfore I am suggesting RRO

[nik]

.

[fyj434]

Just go to Sun set park on the top of lookout Mt... you can drop top ropes all day long... and you will run into tons of trad people that will help you out no cost what so ever... or just show up to foster falls on a weekend day and you will find tons of gumbies there to help you out...

[cjulian]

It’s great that you have the flexibility to choose your climbing destination based on finding the guide service that will offer you the best instruction, particularly since it sounds like this will be the first outdoor climbing experience for many, if not all of you, and you are clearly looking to provide a high-quality trip. To that end, you should look for a guide who is at least an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, but realize that is just a minimum standard; there are higher levels of AMGA certification for guides and there is a certification for companies as well, though only a few have it. Unfortunately, they are probably more expensive, but you will also likely learn a lot more! It’s a trade-off.

So check out the certifications (both individual and company) for everyone on your list, look at the credentials of the individual guides (are they full time, part-time, or summer interns), and then choose the best you can afford on your budget!

P.S. I wouldn't even consider bouldering or trying to set up top ropes yourself--there's just too much liability!!)