My name is Evan and my climbing partner Jesse and I just took the 4-day Anchoring and Lead class with Jarad and we had the best time. Jarad was extremely professional and helpful, took safety very seriously and was a pleasure to be around. I have had a few guides with other companies in the past and was never thrilled with how the classes went. The other guides made it seem like the classes were a chore, and made me feel dumb for asking certain questions and didn't know when to slow down during certain portions of learning that I didn't grasp right away. Jarad was the exact opposite! I could tell that he genuinely loves what he does and he is extremely good at it. He answered all of our questions with great detail and always took the time to explain why things were done and the different ways it can be changed / adjusted according to your equipment and situations. He was able to read the class, and know when we all understood something very well and when we were struggling on certain concepts and needed to spend more time on that. As we were heading back home, Jesse and I both agreed that this was one of the best climbing experiences of our life, and that Jarad was the best teacher we could have hoped for. We will 100% be recommending Vertical Adventures and Jarad to all of our friends in the climbing community. Thank you for an incredible experience! read more

Wow!  We are blown away over how much fun our family of 4 had over holiday break.  We love visiting the park, but this had a very different feel - much more grounded and in deep respect for the awe-inspiring beauty, granite, sunlight and dramatic skyline.   We are age 7-49 and have different ability levels.  Jarad lived up to his name (emphasis on the RAD!!) in every way. He was encouraging, patient and positive with our youngest who is a beginner and developing her comfort with heights.  He also strategically picked a route that offered more of a challenge for our eldest; she was able to gain some confidence and then progressively take on more of a challenge.  And us parents had plenty to test ourselves on, too.   The tour upheld the highest safety standards, was well organized, and Jarad was a clear communicator.  He's super friendly and it was a pleasure to spend the afternoon learning from him.  And best of all - we all had so much fun.  It was a highlight of our trip and we're so happy we decided to take a leap and try this out.  We had the biggest smiles afterwards and are already dreaming up another Vertical Adventures tour this summer in one of our family's happy places: Lake Tahoe! read more

If you're planning to climb El Cap or any Big Wall and you want to succeed, I recommend a 4 or 5 day private Big Wall Seminar with Erik Kramer-Webb and Vertical Adventures Rock Climbing School. I took a private one-on-one seminar with Erik in January, 2016 at Joshua Tree which lead to me climbing El Cap's Triple Direct route with Yosemite Mountain School Guide Greg Coit in June, 2016 and I sincerely believe the private four days of instruction by Erik was so thorough and complete, it provided the knowledge and skills needed to overcome many adversities encountered on the climb. I have a strong climbing background BUT it had been many many years since I climbed a big wall ... I was familiar with techniques used in the 70's and 80's and I wasn't sure if I could handle it at 66. Erik covered everything from gear placement, leading, cleaning, jumaring, lower-outs, and knots as well as safety backups related to anchors, belays, rappels, or emergency situations. Frankly 2 days is not enough. The 4 days allowed us to cover so much. We could practice multiple ascents of progressively harder difficulty. Erik was always eliminating bad technique and reinforcing good technique. read more

I am getting back into climbing after a near 30-year absence on the big stone. As part of my effort to steadily build up my strength and confidence (again), I hired Vertical Adventures for a guided-climb at Tahquitz Rock. I met my guide Tony Sartin at 7 a.m. sharp and we had an exciting day climbing at the birthplace of American rock climbing. Tony was a true professional and very knowledgeable instructor as he took me on a three-pitch masterpiece called Fingertip. We had a great outing that led to other single-pitch climbs, a review of the current best practices for building anchors and rappelling. Even better, Tony was a super fun and interesting person who could tell a good story. It was a full and rich day on the granite - one that reminded me why I so enjoyed the sport in my younger days. Vertical Adventures, the guiding company, was a professionally run organization. All pertinent paperwork and communications were timely and to the point. The owner is a highly experience climber and master guide and instructor. I strongly endorse this company and its guides. They go above and beyond to make your day exciting, fun, safe and informative. read more

I first saw photos of Jarad's guided climbing experiences years ago, and was so excited to join him on a trip recently in Joshua Tree National Park. I've known Jarad Stiles since we attended high school near Lake Tahoe together. I was so impressed to see him turn his life long passion for climbing and exploration into an outlet for others to share in those outdoor experiences. Jarad has a gift for bringing people together, which has been a characteristic of his since we were younger, but it is remarkably demonstrated while guiding newcomers to the world of rock climbing. Myself and the others in our guide group were made to feel safe, confident, and stoked regardless of our previous experience or fitness level. He was very knowledgeable about the area we explored and encouraged us to take on different routes that would be the perfect level of challenge for each person. I had a ton of fun testing myself on the rock as well as learning about the gear, culture, lifestyle, and even geology that Jarad was well versed in. Truly a day I'll never forget. Please give yourself the opportunity to go play outside with Jarad and Vertical Adventures! read more

Whatever your climbing longing, Vertical Adventures (VA) will meet your every need. My 10-year old girl, my husband, and I have been climbing in the gym and wanted to try it outdoors for the first time. VA was recommended to us by a Joshua Tree NP Search and Rescue volunteer. When I had computer glitches signing up online for the 1/2 day guided climb, Bob Gaines called me right away and took care of it. I'm just going to add to the rave remarks about our guide, Chris Baumann. Rather than a guide, he was more like a Jedi Stonemaster -- patient, kind, wise, and generous. My daughter's fear of climbing past 15 or 20 feet disappeared with Chris' encouragement. He knew just what to do and say, and had the three of us climbing, learning new belaying and knotting techniques, and enjoying ourselves. Chris put up many of the routes, and we appreciated that we were rewarded at the top with grand views of the San Gorgonio mountain. Besides climbing, it was nice to just sit on the warm rocks and talk with Chris as he shared his experiences and snacks with us (CA grown walnuts and sour gummy worms!). Chris enjoys what he does, and it shows. read more

If you are going to do some rock climbing in Joshua Tree, do yourself a favor and call these guys. We contacted Bob while vacationing in Palm Springs between Christmas and New Year's Day and they were pretty booked up. Our group of four was lucky to get a full day with Chris on New Year's Eve and it was legend. Three of the four had never climbed before, but Chris was patient, safety conscious, and taught all the lingo and processes of climbing. He had us up on rocks right away and once we'd mastered one, we'd move on to another slightly more difficult. Chris had a great way of being rigid about the safety checks, but a lot of fun and had great stories to tell. He knew when a climber was getting discouraged and would give a well-timed 'atta boy' (plus maybe a little extra tug on the rope to help the climber up the route). I unconditionally recommend VA and encourage you to commit to a full day class if you're new to climbing so you can get several different rock sections to test and expand your skills. read more

These guys are top notch in every way - excellent costumer service and climbing knowledge, but their forte is their ability to make your climbing experience safe and enjoyable. Bob Gaines, owner of VA and a Southern California climbing legend, made the booking procedure quick and easy. My wife and I have been climbing in Joshua Tree NP with Vertical Adventures on two occasions, once in November of last year, and last weekend for a two day climbing and anchoring class. On both occasions, our guide, Chris Baumann, made sure we were safe, learning, and, most of all, having fun! On our way home from climbing with Chris the first time, my wife actually said it was ONE OF THE BEST DAYS SHE'S EVER HAD! And I can't disagree. We are outdoor enthusiasts, I write a blogzine for adventurers over 50 called Rocking Outdoors, and we LOVE Vertical Adventures. read more

Had a great experience with Vertical Adventures and their very experienced guide Chris Baumann. He was a great guide, quickly showing us how to make the transition from gym climbing to outdoors. He then got us on some real climbs, and was very patient and knowledgeable when explaining safety procedures and technique. And on top of all of this, he showed us the best spots in the park for sport climbing/top rope and even met up with us later to show us through 'The Chasm'. Overall I would recommend Vertical Adventures and Chris Baumann to anyone visiting Joshua Tree, whether you are an experienced climber or a beginner, the teaching style and enthusiasm make for a great day no matter what you are doing! Thanks so much Bob and Chris! read more

My daughter and I had the most amazing, memorable day together with Chris at Vertical Adventures. I was nervous because I didn't have climbing experience, and I wasn't sure if it was something just for twenty year olds. Chris was so professional and knowledgable. He was able to challenge both of us at the right level. I felt confident in the safety. We learned valuable skills, information about the park, and had such a fantastic day. It was the most refreshing, challenging, exhilarating experience. Chris was so fun, and it was one of the best ways to connect with your own skills, nature, and those you care about. Chris can easily install in you a love for the sport. Highly recommend! read more

Vertical Adventures (Chris and Jarad) were fabulous guides for our family and friends during our stay in Joshua Tree. Most all were beginners and they made everyone feel comfortable with the gear, safety procedures and the climbing itself. Jarad got my seven year old son going after a little convincing and he didn't turn back, he was like a little mountain goat thanks to him and loved every minute. Chris spent the time answering any and all my questions and both showed their extensive knowledge of climbing, very impressive. We can't wait to have them guide us again not only in Joshua Tree but the other locations they service. I can't recommend them enough to anyone at any skill level. read more

We had such a great experience with Vertical Adventures. We had two full days of climbing, one with Chris and one with Jared. As a newer climber than my partner, I appreciated the emphasis on safety. I also appreciated the way both guides encouraged and challenged me to climb and made me feel like a pro. I had a blast. Both guides selected not only fantastic climbs but took care to find places that were in the sun or shielded from the wind. I absolutely loved my experience and highly recommend Vertical Adventures for newer climbers (like me) or experienced guides wanting to learn and grow even more (like my partner). I never thought I would like crack climbing!!!! read more

Just returned from another camping, hiking and climbing weekend JT, with the highlight of the trip being the day spent climbing with my buds Dave, Amy and the Monsters, Callen and Sean, all led by the great guide team of Jared and Chris, owners of Vertical Adventures. These two really know JT, are great with kids, novices (me) , as well as more experienced climbers. Each year we go they've kick the climbs up to another level, while providing expert advice and encouragement. If your in JT and want to climb, give Vertical Adventures are call. I highly recommend theme. You won't be disappointed. Looking forward to the next climb with them. read more

I've been fortunate to climb with Vertical Adventures twice at JTNP, and the two outings were fantastic experiences. The thing that stuck out to me is that Jarad was amazing at identifying which parts of climbing were strong and comfortable for me, as well as those aspects where I felt less capable and secure, and he'd craft his route choices and coaching to bring the two close together so that I'd be facing challenge from a foundation of success. At the end of the last trip I was joking with him that having him within 100 meters bumps your grade by two. Outstanding guide, huge levels of enthusiasm, infectiously positive attitude. read more

I did a Leading and Anchoring course last November with Erik Kramer-Webb, it was everything I wanted it to be. Each day, from the second we met and until we departed we practiced techniques. If you weren't setting anchors, you were practicing placements, or climbing and belaying while the other person makes anchors. Erik was very thorough and comprehensive breaking each thing down and accepting our different levels of experience. He taught us much more than just the basic's allowing me to go straight into leading trad climbs without his guidance. I look forward to coming back read more

I had a great experience climbing and learning from Chris last week. Chris was so personable, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. He was adept at making me feel confident in skills I had and helping me gain skills that I wanted to develop. Chris was also great at assessing where I was at and making suggestions for what would be most helpful. I left not only with tips and tricks for gear, but with a renewed confidence that I needed to progress in my climbing. I feel ready to move forward now instead of stifled by fears and insecurities that were plaguing me. read more

I took a private 1-day anchoring lesson with Vertical Hold. My instructor/guide (a super friendly and knowledgeable dude named Chris) taught me the ropes (heh... sorry...) and the ins and outs of placing cams and nuts, building an anchor in a variety of situations, the various knots, etc. It was informative and easy to understand, I had a great time, and I now feel like I can go out and properly protect most crack climbs I encounter in the future. Highly recommended, Joshua Tree is an incredible place and Vertical Hold really delivers. read more

This was our second year scheduling a day at Joshua Tree with our guide, Jarad. We can't say enough good things about the experience. If we could give more than five stars, we would. Jarad is an excellent guide. Both times we have gone out with him we have learned a lot. He knew just the right routes to take us on that so that we could stretch ourselves, but not so difficult that we couldn't complete them. We look forward to returning for another outing in the future. Thank you for an amazing day. read more

It was awesome! Jarad tailored the entire day around exactly what I asked for. I got on a lot of the classics and a lot of multipitch routes. Jarad was very informative and explained everything very well. He had very good advice about rope management, crack techniques, trad placement, and more. Bob Gaines was super responsive and flexible. My original trip had been delayed due to rain, but they got me rescheduled asap! Overall, I had a great time and would definitely come back again! read more