Halloween Rock Climbing, Camping, and Costumes Weekend at Pinnacles National Monument

Are you ready for a killer Halloween? Join us in Pinnacles National Monument, the home to 14 species of bats as well as wild pigs! We thought this was the perfect place to celebrate The Day of the Dead, so we reserved a group site, and came up with some haunting ideas for a ghoulish night.

 

During the day boys and ghouls of all levels will go climbing in the spectacular rock faces with our professional guides. During the evenings, as the sun goes down and the wild animals come out, we will begin the festivities. On Saturday night, we will have a costume contest, tell spooky stories, and enjoy wonderful company around the fire.

 

Pinnacles is now open 24 hours a day which will allow us to take a nighttime hike through the caves in hopes of seeing bats as they venture out to feed! This is going to be a funweekend, for sure! Bring your friends, family, co-workers, and favorite games, activities, glow-in-the-dark-paraphernalia, and beverages.

 

Climbing information: Come rock climb at Pinnacles National Monument, only 90 minutes south of San Jose near Hollister. Come out for 2 days of climbing and great camping on Friday and Saturday night. Beginner and Beyond Beginners are welcome. There will be two levels of climbing available.

 

Beginners: First timers and beginner climbers will be introduced to rock climbing in this great outdoor environment. This OAC activity is designed to introduce beginner climbers to the exciting sport of outdoor rock climbing — an adventure that delivers great fun, beautiful scenery, and real physical and mental stimulation.

 

Indoor climbers, you'll enjoy getting out of the gym and on to real rock! Pinnacles offers remote and incredibly beautiful climbing in the 5.5-5.12+ level.

 

This is a "Learn As You Play" adventure for beginners and beyond beginners. The beginner class teaches you everything you need to know for when you get that urge to go climb a wall! The class is designed as a basic introduction to rock climbing. Our guides will cover equipment, terminology, safety, basic anchoring and footwork. Then everyone gets on the walls and climbs, climbs, climbs!

 

Beyond Beginners: What is "Beyond Beginners"? Beyond Beginners is for any climber who has been out at least once recently, and is familiar with the basic skills of belaying. We will review belay skills so we are assured you are competent, but try not to spend the time teaching the basics so you can come out and get right on the walls! Your climbing ability can range anywhere from 5.6 to 5.11. We will set up climbs to keep all levels adequately challenged. This class is designed to get you outside and climbing MORE so you can keep developing your skills. We realize when you are starting out it's hard to find people to climb with outside who know where to go and who can safely set up the ropes. OAC takes care of that, plus we have all the gear so you don't have to worry about the details of your climbing day! Our guides will determine where you climb based on the experience level of both individual climbers and the beyond beginner group in general.

 

We will continue to set up and change top ropes for everyone so the climbs are as easy or difficult as you'd like! This day is designed for those who already know the basics of rock climbing, who are competent with their belay technique, and want to get right on the wall. Climb on! Interested students can also observe the processes involved in setting up top ropes and building anchors.

 

OAC climbing guides do more than just set top ropes. They coach you, encourage you when you need it, encourage you more when you want it, and help you develop better climbing technique.

 

Camping information: The camping at Pinnacles is fun. There are coin-op hot showers and running water, and we'll be camping close to the cars. Bring your pillows, blankets, camp chairs, and anything else that makes your camping experience comfortable.

 

We've reserved a group campsite where the festivities will commence. What a killer way to finish your climbing day! Dress up in your costume (unless you have decided to climb in yours), have a drink, some excellent dinner prepared by your guides.

 

Park information: The park is home to raptors, bats, caves and som e of the most interesting rock formations. Pinnacles was formed by an ancient volcano. Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, are the spectacular remains of this volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Pinnacles National Monument is also a release site for the endangered California condor, and the birds can sometimes be seen from trails throughout the park.

 

 

Why climb with the Outdoor Adventure Club?
In a word, or four, we are professional guides. Whether you are with Duane, Richard, Heather or Michael, you are spending the day with a guide trained by the American Mountain Guides Association, and certified as Wilderness First Responders. Unlike some "adventure" groups, we don't contract out our climbing. We are your guides. Our focus is not only on taking you out and letting you climb, but setting up the safest climbing situations, and teaching you in a very patient, supportive and friendly manner. Besides safety, OAC guides are knowledgeable of the climbing scene, and eager to help you develop your climbing skills.

 

Want information on all of our rock climbing trips? Check out our full Rock Climbing Program.

 

Thinking of spending the weekend hiking at Pinnacles instead of climbing? Check out our Halloween Hiking and Camping Weeknd details.