Summer 2023 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.

The sky was on fire this evening!🔥
#youmustgoup #sunset #sendtember #strawberry #home
...

Great fun climbing with Louise and Francois from France today on Bears Reach!
#youmustgoup #localguides #eurotrip #climbing #localbusiness #eldoradocounty
...

Great to be back working on the East Wall today with Jen! A fun lap up the East Wall route did not disappoint!
#youmustgoup #climbing #localguides #hireus #tradisrad #localbusiness
...

Nice end to a beautiful day.
#youmustgoup #climbing #localguides #home
...

We lost a good one yesterday. @livingstonaaron had a heart of gold, a great teacher and guide. In the short time I was able to hang out and work with him, it was obvious, Aaron was the real deal. Hopefully you had the pleasure to spend time with him.
He will be missed💔
Climb on Brother.
...

The end of the Storm
#iwanttogoup ##graydays #thesunwillcomeouttomorrow
#strawberryhome
...

Lover’s Leap Conditions report!
#youmustgoup #localguides #climbing #localbusiness#loversleap #climbwithus
...

What, 20 years?!!!!
Lover’s Leap guides turns 20 this year! We are co hosting a party with @norcalcrags and the @accessfund this Saturday August 12th down at the best General store around, @strawberrystationca

Thank you for such great support over the years, we appreciate You!❤️

There’s going to be a big raffle, lies, some truths, plenty of rad people, and a whole roasted pig! Let’s go Hogwild together!!!
#youmustgoup #localguides #localbusiness #anniversaryparty
...

Freshies!
#youmustgoup #climbing #footpain #lasportiva
...

“Why would anyone climb with anyone else besides Lover’s Leap Guides?!”, Rob asked this morning.
#youmustgoup #localguides #ifyouknowyouknow #localbusiness #climbing #laketahoe
...

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More
man in white climbing helmet and red shirt rock 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.

Meet the Team

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

"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
Read More Testimonials