Reach for Adventure

Rock climbing creates a healthy and exciting challenge for both children and adults.  On the first day of this skill-building course participants will be taught age appropriate climbing techniques, safety skills, and minimal impact climbing practices. On the second day, participants may be taught additional skills such as belaying, knot tying, rappelling, introduction to lead climbing, traditional gear placement (top-rope only) and anchor concepts. Join us for an amazing climbing experience you will never forget!

Course Details:

Day One:

• 9:00 am – 10:00 am:  Meet, drive and hike to the cliff. Outfit with gear. 
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm:  On-site safety and cliff ecology will be taught.  Climbing terms and equipment orientation will be introduced, followed by the instruction of movement-on-rock.  Basic knots will be taught.    
• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm:  Onsite lunch
• 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm:  Climb. Various climbing techniques will be practiced on a number of routes.  
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm:  Hike out and head back to Helena

Day Two:

• 9:00 am – 10:00 am:  Meet, drive and hike to the cliff. Outfit with gear. 
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Refresher of on-site safety, climbing knots, and review of climbing terms.  Practice more advanced climbing techniques on more challenging routes.     
• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm:  Onsite lunch
• 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm:  Climb. Continue to practice various climbing techniques on a number of routes.  Skills such as belaying and rappelling will be introduced.   
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm:  Hike out and head back to Helena

Cost: $215

Includes lunch and all equipment.

Instructors: Mariah Davis and Terry Cowan

Mariah Davis has been working in the outdoor recreation industry for 14 years and  
has  obtained a variety of experiences.  She has been involved in 
after-school programs and camps and has organized outdoor adventure 
programs for various groups.  Mariah has a degree from Appalachian State 
University in Recreation Management with a concentration in Outdoor 
Experiential Education and a minor in Physical Geography.  Some of her 
emergency medical training and certifications consist of Wilderness First 
Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, American Red Cross Lifeguard, and 
Emergency Medical Technician.  She has experience in facilitating 
recreation for those with special needs and disabilities, as well as 
experience in risk management and assessment.  Professionally, Mariah 
has guided on many rivers across the country, taught kayak lessons, guided 
cave explorations, and facilitated top-rope climbing and multi-pitch 
ascents.  She is an ACA (American Canoe Association) certified white water 
kayak instructor , a PSI (Professional Ski Instructor) certified snow board 
instructor, has worked on professional ski patrol, and has volunteered for 
National Ski Patrol.  Mariah is in many outdoor pursuits and is passionate about introducing others to the wonderful world of adventure, and the importance of protecting the environment.  She and 
her 5 year-old daughter, Jasmine,  have experienced many epic adventures, most recently completing a 29 day, 571 mile raft journey down the Yellowstone River.  Mariah's goal is to make certain all people, 
especially children, have an opportunity to get outside and connect with nature.    Mariah enjoys sharing her outdoor educational knowledge with others in the greater Helena community.  She is the founder of Adventures Unlimited.

Terry Cowan was born and raised a “flatlander” in the Cornhusker State of Nebraska.  Terry 
spent his first 29 years there until the call of the mountains grew too loud to 
ignore, and he made the move to wild and beautiful Montana with his 
family, including his two children Nicollette, 13, and Tate, 7.  Terry is a 
water resources engineer and mason by trade, but his heart and passion are 
for the outdoors.  A restless energy fuels his mountainous activities, 
including rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, caving, snowboarding, and 
hiking.  Not one to be deterred from a good adventure by something as 
pesky as the weather, Terry can be seen anywhere from dirt biking in the 
falling snow to paddling in a downpour.  He is a firm believer in heading out 
to do whatever you set your mind to, regardless of the weather or 
circumstances, as “it’s not always the destination, but within the journey, 
the true adventure lies.”  While constantly exploring new places around 
Helena, he has found a few favorite destinations such as fishing and wildlife 
viewing at Hidden Lake, rock climbing in Avalanche Gulch, and kayaking 
and camping in the Gates of the Mountains.  With Terry's firsthand 
experience and the advice from others on the various activities that 
Montana has to offer, he is eager to pass this knowledge on to others in the 
community and is a proud board member of Adventures Unlimited.