At LifeWays, we offer a means-driven perspective on climbing. Aiming to reach the top by engaging the challenge of the climb with humility, discernment, and courage. Our clinics are designed to teach essential hard and soft skills to help you reach the top in a good way.
Expand your horizons from the gym to the great outdoors!
Learn to lead belay, lead climb, set and clean anchors, and assess risk. Our wealth of experience helps us teach you a solid foundation of skills while avoiding common mistakes. The vertical world isn’t where you want to learn the hard way.
Entering the multi-pitch domain is where climbing goes from sport to adventure. Develop the skills to venture higher and deeper on San Juan classics like Princess Ella’s Magical Adventure or Nuggernaut. In this course, we cover the whole process from planning and prep, to anchor building and top belaying, to rappelling and self rescue..
From indian creek splitters, to desert towers, to yosemite big walls, our deepest and most rewarding climbing experiences have been trad climbing. We love teaching the skills that will help you to feel competent and confident on your own dream climbs. Our Trad clinics are designed to teach the art and science of placing and trusting gear, building reliable anchors, and assessing risk effectively. Learning from our AMGA certified guides can help you climb to new heights. Custom clinics available.
Chase is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and has been working outdoor recreation, wilderness therapy, and adaptive sports since 2012. He has a BS in Recreation Management with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation.
Chase enjoys climbing big walls in Yosemite and teaching adaptive climbing techniques. He is passionate about teaching people healthy ways to interact with the outdoors and exploring the wild places around the Western Slope.
Rowan began climbing over 12 years ago in the midwest on some small boulders in the Osage Hills. After moving west and earning degrees in Psychology and English, she spent many years guiding outdoor trips and mountaineering expeditions in the backcountry of Colorado’s many unique mountain ranges. She has earned and maintained various certifications in the outdoor industry throughout her career, including: Wilderness First Responder, AIARE AVY Level 1, Mental Health First Aid, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, and AMGA Rock Guide Course.
Rowan currently co-manages the local Durango climbing gym, Gravity Lab, and works as a rock guide on the Lifeways team. She is passionate about finding joy and community through climbing outdoors, and aspires to create a safe and supportive environment for climbers of any and all backgrounds.
Loren is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, a Wilderness EMT, and a seasoned wilderness therapy guide who, over the past 10 years, has led climbing and backpacking trips across the country. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Outdoor Education, where he studied rock climbing instruction and the therapeutic applications of adventure programs at the nation’s premier wilderness therapy research university.
Loren has dedicated his life to the instruction of rock climbing, mountaineering, and survival skills. Most importantly, he teaches how these activities can inspire personal growth and support deep, holistic healing. Whether you are an advanced climber or a complete beginner, Loren has the experience and empathy to meet you where you are and guide you to new heights.
As a father himself, Loren especially loves working with families and children, teaching how outdoor adventures can strengthen bonds and bring people closer together.