Winter 2022 IS ON!
Climb The Leap
Lover's Leap offers some of the best rock climbing around Lake Tahoe. Lover's Leap Guides offers guided rock climbing and educational courses for all ages and abilities. Our highly experienced guides have been operating at the Leap since 2003 to provide safe and unforgettable climbing experiences for our clients.
Rock Climbing Guiding and Education
Founded in 2003, Lover’s Leap Guides are based at The Leap in Strawberry, California near Lake Tahoe. Learn to climb, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a day out on the rock with an experienced guide.
Experienced, knowledgeable guides
AMGA-certified guides who have developed and completed first ascents of many of the climbs at Lover's Leap.
All ages, all abilities
Specialized in working with children and adults. We also have experience guiding adaptive climbers.
Safety. Fun. Learning
Whether you want to improve technique or learn technical skills, we'll be your guide.
Great morning in the Sierra!
#youmustgoup #climbing #echolakes #eldoradocounty #getupandgo #mountainhome
Fun morning with @alaskan_lovin_retirement
Better With Bacon and Ham and Cheese to the top, just in a half day!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #weputmultipitchintomultipitchclimbing #localbusiness #localguides #laketahoe
Fun group this morning! Climbing early to beat the heat.
You and the family coming to #laketahoe. We climbs for all ages and abilities!!
@#youmustgoup #loversleap #familygoals #localguides #localbusiness
Another perfect evening at the Leap!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #allalone #soloisolation #sunset #dontstop #happiestinthemountains #climbingaddict
Danger!! I went up Deception this evening for this first time this year. The giant flakes at the start of the second pitch have noticeable slid over the winter. I would recommend not climbing on these and do the 5.7 finger crack variation to avoid the death blocks!!
Super fun day taking @lauradavis611 and @luke_burke21 on their first #multipitch climbs!
The Farce into possible the best 5.7!? there is, #corrugationcorner
Thanks for the fun day you two!!
#youmustgoup #loversleap ##localguide #localbusiness #climbing
So nice to be back running around in the High Sierra again!
#youmustgoup #mountainscramble #soloisolation #sierranevada #climbing #happiestinthemountains
Finally got to share a rope with my good friend @hansi_standteiner up the classic #fantasia on the #eastwall this evening!
Nothing better than racing the sunset up the wall with your #friends
#Youmustgoup #climbing #dikeclimbing #loversleap #royalrobbins #whosold #keepmoving
After a full day of trad skills yesterday, Zeke led @megs_marvels up all three pitches of #knapsackcrack
We were positioned next to Zeke watching the progress and coaching when needed. He did an excellent job of leading, anchoring and belaying Megan up this classic #trad route!
Well done you two!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #learntolead #climbing #eldoradocounty #localguides #localbusiness #laketahoe #tradisrad
A great Trad Learn To Lead course today at #loversleap
With Zeke and @megs_marvels
After climbing with us and following #multipitch climbs, they decided they were ready to be the leaders. After hours of close supervision placing gear, Zeke tied in and lead his first crack! Tomorrow we head to the Hogsback for multi pitch leading!
Looking to take the step into leading #trad We have a course for you and our goal is to get you leading by the end of the day!
#youmustgoup #localguides #learntolead #tradclimbing #localbusiness
The grand tour of the 5.7 classics of #loversleap!
Then a little bonus Morel hunt!
#youmustgoup #climbing #mushrooms #localguides #localknowledge #tradclimbing #laketahoe
Morning lap with @tahoe_spencer up Bears Reach
#youmustgoup #loversleap #foreveryoung #keepmoving #climbing #whosold #laketahoe
First Rattler of the year. They are still around.
#loversleap #rattlesnake #watchwhereyoustep #climbing
Dr Dave’s first day back to the Leap. He wanted to work on some outdoor endurance. So we lined up 12’pitches for him. Surrealistic, Corrugation (with the 5.8 2nd pitch variation), Bears Reach, and East Cracks!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #weputmultipitchintomultipitchclimbing #laketahoe #climbing #localguides #tradclimbing
Another nice day at the Leap today!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #soloisolation #localguides #californialove #climbing #laketahoe#eldoradocounty
When they throw lemons, just go bananas!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #soloisolation
A great course today on self rescue! Thanks for such a fun crew eager to learn!
#youmustgodown #loversleap #selfrescue #climbing #localguides #climbinginstruction #rescue #dontcuttherope @livinontheledge
Fun day taking @urusaurus and @yofanch on their first #multipitch climbs at #theleap
Knapsack, Pop Bottle, and a finish on Bears Reach!
#youmustgoup #loversleap #localguides #climbing #eldoradocounty #laketahoe #localbusiness
@jackwurster is set to climb the #niad with @timmyoneill on Monday. He wanted to dial in his aid skills. The morning started with @livinontheledge coaching Jack on aiding Surrealstic Direct and then Sinbad/Herbert. After feeling good about his technique, we did a Fantasia lap.
#youmustgoup #loversleap #climbing #aidclimbing #localguides #climbinginstructor
A great day at #sugarloaf with @eleanor_outside @adamjohnson476 and @hibbledygibldy
Scheister, Farley, and Stone!!
#youmustgoup #climbing #localguides #tradclimbing #eldoradocounty #laketahoeclimbing #tradisrad
Rock Climbing Lover’s Leap
Lover’s Leap is a steep cliff band near South Lake Tahoe. If you’re driving Highway 50 between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, it’s hard to miss this prominent and striking feature. The Leap has become a world-renowned rock climbing destination with over one hundred and fifty established routes. It is best known for its traditional multi-pitch routes, often using granite dikes for holds; but the area also includes some boulder problems. Traveler Buttress, featured in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America, was put up in 1966.
Lovers Leap Guides is the current longstanding guiding service for rock climbing at Lover’s Leap. We offer guiding as well as rock climbing classes.
Other Areas
In addition to Lover’s Leap, there are other zones if you’re interested in exploring some other nearby rock climbing areas.
Phantom Spires
This area is made up of many free standing formations called spires. Up to 250 feet tall, the summit of the spires offers breath-taking views of the American River Canyon.
Sugarloaf Rock
For more experienced rock climbers, the rock at Sugarloaf has frequently been compared to Yosemite for its smooth granite and straight crack climbing.
Meet Petch
Petch has been climbing since 1989 and has passion teaching and guiding as much as he does for climbing. At the end of an eight month climbing trip that took him and his partner from Joshua Tree in Southern California to Devils Tower in the eastern part of Wyoming, and everything in between, the final stop turned out to be Lover’s Leap. The right turn towards Lover’s Leap landed Petch in the campground in 1993. Climbing for eight months and a bank account of zero, he quickly found a job at the Strawberry Lodge. Falling in love with Lover’s Leap and Strawberry he found making a home easy. A guiding job opened in 1996 with teaching youth backpacking and rock climbing. The exciting future of guiding as a full time profession led to the opening of Lover’s Leap Guides in 2003. With his enthusiasm and knowledge of Lover’s Leap, Lover’s Leap Guides has become the most popular and busiest service to climb at Lover’s Leap. He has spent countless ours working with the Access Fund, CRAGS, and the Forest Service to maintain trails, protect nesting raptors, and community outreach. Climbing most of the routes at Lover’s Leap, he has also added numerous routes of his own. From 5.5 to 5.12D, some of his first ascents have become modern day classics. A good chance you will probably climb one of his routes when you climb with Lover’s Leap Guides.
Petch is certified by the AMGA as a Rock Instructor and holds his certification as a Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
Some Love from Our Clients at the Leap
”"Both of us enjoyed ourselves more than we ever have outdoors, and climbing the "Bears Reach" route after having watched that video of Dan Osmond climbing it was wonderful. We went to the 90ft wall after and both felt inspired to climb better than we have ever done. Look forward to climbing with you again sometime soon."
Martin and Donesa
Read More Testimonials”"Very good client care. Being out with Petch you really feel well guided as communication is clear, belay positions are selected to see and coach clients through cruxes. It is a good quality experience!"
Doug NidiverAMGA examiner
