Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell – Teaches Rock Climbing

Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell – Teaches Rock Climbing

Stars of “Free Solo” and “The Dawn Wall” Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell teach lessons from more than 60 years of combined rock climbing experience.

With more than 60 combined years of elite rock climbing experience, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell have scaled some of the largest—and most extreme—walls in the world. Now, the stars of Free Solo and The Dawn Wall are teaming up to share their tried-and-true techniques for tackling any wall. From the fundamentals of footwork and body and hand positioning to mental exercises and advanced holds and movements, you’ll learn how to take on new challenges and push yourself further on and off the wall.

Browse Lesson Plan

1. Meet Your Instructor

In their first lesson, Alex and Tommy welcome members to their class and give an overview of how the course is structured, why they’re teaching it, and what they hope you’ll take away from it.

2. Don’t Be a Gumby

Every community has its own unique set of rules. In this lesson, Alex and Tommy cover etiquette and details on the different types of rock climbing.

3. Learning the Ropes

Learn the ropes of partnering up, top-roping, and lead climbing safely.

4. Redefining Limits: El Capitan

Alex and Tommy have accomplished two of the most challenging climbs ever done on El Capitan. In this lesson, they’ll give insight into how they overcame and redefined the perceived limitations.

5. Footwork

Learn the most important element of rock climbing as Tommy defines and demonstrates various footwork techniques.

6. Climbing Holds

In climbing, your hands and arms keep you balanced over your feet. In this lesson, Alex defines and demonstrates hand grips and arm techniques.

7. Balance and Movement

Learn various balance techniques for moving more efficiently.

8. Crack Climbing

Crack climbing is an essential technique for most outdoor climbing. In this lesson, Alex defines and demonstrates various crack climbing techniques for cracks of all shapes and sizes.

9. Achieving Flow: The Nose Speed Record

In this lesson, you’ll learn about flow state and how it helped Alex and Tommy break the Nose speed record.

10. Taking It Outdoors: Bouldering

Alex and Tommy teach members how to bring the skills they’ve learned indoors into an outdoor environment, starting with bouldering tips and techniques.

11. Adversity Training: The Fitz Traverse

Alex and Tommy share stories of their experience climbing the Fitz Traverse, including the physical and emotional challenges they faced and how they overcame the adversity.

12. Taking It Outdoors: Sport Climbing

Tommy gives an overview and demonstration on sport climbing, including strategy, gripping, balance, and more.

13. Taking It Outdoors: Trad Climbing

Learn the basics of traditional climbing as Alex demonstrates an outdoor route and details planning, foot and hand placement, and the equipment you’ll need.

14. Leave No Trace

Alex and Tommy discuss the importance of responsible climbing and preserving the environment.