2024 Rockcraft Series
Eight Classes of Exploration / Four Seasons of Mentorship
Expand your knowledge, build trust in your body, and have more fun!
Let me guess. Up until today…
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You’ve met some really great folks in the climbing community, but have found it difficult to find someone trustworthy, patient and available to teach you all the skills.
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You’re not really sure about all the climbs available in your region, and have often relied on others to set up the ropes (and are hoping they’re doing it right).
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You’ve wanted to get on the fast track to becoming a core climber, but aren’t sure where to start and are realizing that it takes years of practice.
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You’ve spent a lot of energy triple checking systems and managing stress because you’re not quite sure the rope will hold and you really, really don’t want yourself or anyone else to get injured while climbing.
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You’ve practiced a lot of these skills before but have had a tricky time staying consistent with your practices at home and getting them right in the field.
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You’ve sometimes felt like climbing is too risky or difficult, and then at other times felt like you’re leaving your potential on the table.
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You’ve been inspired to develop a deep connection to abundant natural landscapes through the craft of rock climbing… but you’re tired of wading through forums and guidebooks, lugging gear around, and waiting for long periods of time just to get on the same old climbs.
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You ‘re sure you want to go out into the mountains, choose your preferred route and explore freely, but you just haven’t found confidence and mastery yet.
Introducing the Rockcraft Series
I can do something no one else is doing. I can offer you a formula to apply to your climbing that I guarantee will offer more fulfilling experiences. AND! I’ll show it to you in-person. AND! I can also help you access the personal empowerment necessary to coach your own learning process into the future so YOU can lead from your core desire and enjoy a lifetime of climbing.
Join this 8 class program to connect to your body, your desire, your community and the natural world.
We’ll combine the most up-to-date skills and equipment with ancient practices and esoteric wisdom.
Class sizes are capped at four participants.
The 2024 Basic Rockcraft Series is aimed at climbers who, in this point in their story, are not yet fully independent taking themselves on an outdoor climbing date to climb real cliffs, and would like to be.
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Second Saturdays, May through November (excluding August) plus May 12 and September 15.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Rain or shine.
{2024 Dates: May 11, May 12, June 8, July 13, September 14, September 15, October 12, & November 9}
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Tuition for the full program is $2333.
Payment plans, and a limited number of scholarships, are available upon request.
The 2024 Advanced Rockcraft Series is aimed at climbers who, in this point in their story, have confidently climbed by themselves outdoors and are seeking to deepen their self and team leadership.
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Third Saturdays, May through November (excluding August) plus May 19 and September 22.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Rain or shine.
May 18, May 19, June 15, July 20, September 21, September 22, October 19, & November 16
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Tuition for the full program is $2333.
Payment plans, and a limited number of scholarships, are available upon request.
The Rock Sovereign Program is a self-paced journey over twelve months for those seeking mentorship, mastery and choice in their lifelong pursuit of climbing.
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This program is open-ended and self-paced. You receive credit for future classes and are invited to schedule sessions at your convenience.
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Tuition for the full Rock Sovereign program price varies based on the number of participants in a cohort.
$6033 for one climber / $6533 for two climbers / $7033 for three climbers / $7533 for four climbers
Payment plans, and a limited number of scholarships, are available upon request.
What’s included:
64 hours of in-person guidance outdoors. Gain practical experience with oversight from Dustin.
4 thirty-minute check-in calls
4 “Buddy Passes” to bring a friend for the day (Rock Sovereign ONLY)
My photos, videos and notes from every session
Bonuses:
Preferred access to nature preserves, state land and private property in Gardiner, NY 12525 and surrounding locations. Addresses upon registration.
Access to primitive campsites below Millbrook Mountain is included. Camping equipment is not included but can be rented from Rock & Snow in New Paltz. You may use the sites only on the nights before and after Rockcraft Series classes. Address upon registration.
Classes are guaranteed, rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, we will retreat to a high peak frame tent to continue our practices.
What You’ll Do
Gain a well-rounded understanding of climbing tools (ropes, carabiners, friction devices, and protection) and techniques (movement, belaying, anchoring, rappelling).
Get hands-on experience at the crag. You’ll spend time researching, finding, approaching, protecting, climbing and descending routes you choose out in the field.
Receive expert guidance as you make a multitude of decisions.
Explore the deeper meanings of working with our attention, our bodies and shared landscapes through practice, readings and discussion.
Be a part of a community as we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and move gratefully from the earth to practice one of the most culturally meaningful actions in history: climbing. (In 2019 UNESCO recognized climbing as an art and a traditional, physical practice on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.)
Meet Your Guide: Dustin
I am a force multiplier when starting your 10,000 hours.
If climbing is a game, then it is won in the draft. I’ll help you get it right from the early stages so you can reap the benefits for years.
How we’ll work together
We’ll make a story together. The rough outline is: Evaluate where you are -> Set your intention -> Make a Plan -> Work the Plan -> Attempt the Goal -> Optimize and Debrief. Each series moves through this story according to the desires and needs of the individuals within the cohort.
We’ll start with an assessment of your raw skill and experience. We’ll look at your willingness to see and tell the truth. We’ll grow your capacity for trust, and pick a course together. Be ready to get your hands dirty. Expect to receive homework.
You can count on me being your guide at the beginning. To help you become independent on the cliffs as fast as possible, I like to work nose in, hands out. Over time I expect you to develop your abilities so I can transition into being your strategic advisor offering my experience. Don’t worry - I’ve done this before with countless students, and we have a lot of fun!
Remember, this is about YOU and your goals. By the end of our time together, you’ll lead the experience while I’m there to offer you additional affirmation and bounce ideas off of.
Climbing can transform lives. I watch it happen in front of my eyes all the time.
You don’t have to believe me. I’m asking for you to try and see for yourself.
This is what my past students are saying.
"Super helpful for me"
"It was an absolute blast"
"Very highly recommended, add a plus to those 5 stars."
"It was an incredible experience"
"Super helpful for me" "It was an absolute blast" "Very highly recommended, add a plus to those 5 stars." "It was an incredible experience"
"Extremely helpful for my climbing"
"The experience was just so pleasant, relaxed, fun, and exciting"
"Loved getting to work as a team"
"He tailored the adventure perfectly."
"Extremely helpful for my climbing" "The experience was just so pleasant, relaxed, fun, and exciting" "Loved getting to work as a team" "He tailored the adventure perfectly."
"He cared about us learning and making progress in our skills all while still having fun"
"He's excellent on the technical issues"
"A fantastic resource and guide"
"We will definitely return for future experiences with Dustin!"
"Dustin is the go to guide in the Gunks"
"He cared about us learning and making progress in our skills all while still having fun" "He's excellent on the technical issues" "A fantastic resource and guide" "We will definitely return for future experiences with Dustin!" "Dustin is the go to guide in the Gunks"
Limited Enrollment
Limited Enrollment
I want to show you the door, but I can’t hold it open forever.
I’m only going to be offering this program from 2024 through 2027. So, I am looking for those most committed to learning and receiving mentorship during that period.
Seats are limited.
I am still a student, like you are, and I will continue to benefit from inviting in other perspectives.
That said, I think I have a pretty solid understanding of what is takes to get climbers where they want to go.
You can choose to make a commitment here.
The commitment is to pay to spend eight days training with a professional guide like me, and also treat it as just the beginning.
View time we spend together in this program (eight eight-hour classes) as only 33% of your practice during this period of developing your climbing. Plan to spend at least those eight days with me, plus another eight days in solo practice/study, plus another eight days engaged with other climbing partners (TBD) for maximal effect.
Over time, you’ll need less and less direct guidance. (If you feel you’re getting to that point, it is time to ask your guide to go climb rad stuff together!)
I’m not selling you insurance.
but…
I can help you prolong your investment in climbing 2x, 5x, 10x longer so it’ll last for more time.
I can offer you safety that whatever you just bought will continue to provide value for a long time.
These are not “Have To’s”.
These are not absolutes.
These are just choices.
And they have tradeoffs.
I’m not going to make you excell or deficient, but I can help you see the paths in front of you.
From 0 to 1.
And from 1 to 10000.