Rocklands Youth Climbing Trip

Our price includes everything but airfare and travel insurance – that means lodging, food, transport in-country, and of course performance-oriented coaching drawing on over a decade of experience.

After years of experience taking athletes to international climbing destinations, we’ve learned how to select areas that offer challenges to a range of ability levels. If a student is accepted to join a trip, it means we’ve taken their experience into account and are confident they can push themselves in a safe and enjoyable way.

The first step in the process is to apply. Once we have determined whether the athlete is a good fit, we will reach out with details on securing a spot.

We require a nonrefundable 20% deposit to book the trip – this covers our overhead in the event of cancellation. However, we understand that circumstances change, and if you need to cancel a trip after the deposit has been paid, we are happy to offer a voucher to be used for future trips.

Yes, we are happy to help book travel. For every trip, we have a recommended flight itinerary to allow athletes to travel with a coach – if this is of interest, we can make it happen.

The packing list depends on the trip – upon acceptance to your trip you will be provided with a full packing list.

Pre-trip training is recommended, but not mandatory, and we understand that athletes on climbing teams may not be able to train specifically for the trip prior to departure.

We can design custom training plans for interested athletes for a small fee – email info@realizationclimbing.com to learn more.

Rest days are a great opportunity to experience the culture and beauty of the countries we visit. Every trip is different, but rest days usually involve a fun excursion – visits to local museums, hiking, beach days, culinary experiences, and even safaris.

Rocklands is our most advanced program. Applicants climb V8 or harder in the gym, or compete at Divisional level in their category. Beyond the grade, we look for athletes who train at least three days a week and who take feedback well. Outdoor experience is not required, and many athletes arrive with little.

Three coaches travel with twelve athletes, keeping a ratio of 1:4. Every coach is Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified, SafeSport trained, and cleared through a criminal background check. No athlete climbs without a coach present, and staff supervise meals, excursions, and evenings.

The group stays at the hostel at Traveller's Rest, which is reserved for our group alone. Athletes room by gender, two to three to a room, and rooms are assigned by staff after the pre-trip calls. Coaches sleep in the same area, in their own rooms, and lights out is at 10:30. The code of conduct prohibits alcohol, tobacco, and other substances for staff as well as athletes.

Every coach carries a first aid kit, and the group carries a Garmin InReach satellite communicator. The nearest hospital is in Clanwilliam, which is about 25 minutes from the house. The vehicles stay with the group at all times. Consent to treat is signed on the medical form and carried by staff. Families are called the same day, by phone. Our 2026 cohort came home with no injuries.

Yes. On climbing days the group eats dinner at the Traveller's Rest Farm Stall, and their kitchen accommodates every dietary restriction we bring them. On rest days we cook together, and groceries come from Clanwilliam, 25 minutes away. Families list dietary needs and allergies on the medical form and go over them again on the pre-trip video call, so we can plan ahead.

Yes. There is wifi at the house, and athletes keep their phones for calling home. South Africa is eight hours ahead of Mountain Time, so evenings in Rocklands land in the late morning back home. We structure evening activities to keep screen time down.

Every family meets the coaches on a pre-trip video call before departure. During the trip, parents can reach staff directly on WhatsApp, and a written midway update with photos goes to every family. Anything a family would want to know comes from us first, the same day, by phone. A 24-hour emergency number goes to every family on acceptance.

Every athlete needs travel insurance that covers climbing, swimming, evacuation, medical care, and trip cancellation. It typically costs about $300. Proof of insurance is part of the paperwork due before departure.

Accepted athletes receive the paperwork in early spring. It includes waivers, a medical form, the code of conduct, parental consent for travel, a media release, the payment agreement, and proof of insurance. Passports must be valid for at least six months past the return date, so check the expiry date now. Minors traveling without both parents need consent documentation, and we send the specifics with the packet.

We call home and work it out together. Families book and pay for the changed flight, and coaches stay with the group. A coach travels home with an athlete only in a life-threatening situation.

Athletes 14 to 18 who climb V8 or harder in the gym, or compete at Divisional level.