Guided Classic Climbs in the Gunks
Climb the best routes with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
The Gunks — officially the Shawangunks near New Paltz, NY — is one of the most iconic traditional climbing destinations in North America. Known for steep exposure, horizontal cracks, technical traverses, and world-class multi-pitch climbing, the Gunks attracts experienced climbers from all over the country looking to climb historic classic routes.
But the Gunks also has a reputation for complicated route finding, crowded cliffs, hidden descents, and movement that feels very different from many other climbing areas. For visiting climbers, a guided climbing day is the fastest way to maximize time, climb the best routes, and experience the Gunks at its best.
Climb more classic routes, avoid wasted time, and experience the best trad climbing in the Shawangunks with a local IFMGA Mountain Guide.
Why Climb with Core Mountain Guides
Core Mountain Guides is led by Paul Rachele, an IFMGA Mountain Guide with extensive experience guiding trad climbing in the Gunks near New Paltz, NY. For experienced climbers, the value of a guided day is not simply instruction — it’s local knowledge, efficient route selection, smooth pacing, and the ability to maximize quality climbing in limited time. Whether your goal is climbing classic multi-pitch routes, improving movement and efficiency on steep terrain, or getting the most out of your first visit to the Shawangunks, the day is tailored to your experience and objectives. The focus is on minimizing wasted time, moving efficiently through the cliff system, and helping you have an outstanding day on some of the best trad climbing in the Northeast.
The Gunks Are Different
Even the strongest climbers are often surprised by how unique climbing in the Gunks feels.
The movement is technical and efficient. Traverses are common. Route finding can be subtle. Descents are not always obvious.
Classic climbs like High Exposure, Madame G’s, The Ceiling, Strictly From Nowhere, all have their own character, pacing, and logistical considerations.
Knowing when to climb certain routes — and how to move efficiently through the cliff system — can dramatically change the quality of the day.
Guided Climbing in the Gunks
Guided climbing days are customized around your experience level, goals, and preferred pace.
Objectives may include:
Classic Gunks trad climbs
Multi-pitch climbing
5.6–5.10+ traditional routes
Movement coaching on steep terrain
Trad leading strategy and gear placement
Efficient systems for longer routes
Introductory or advanced trad climbing instruction
Whether you want a full-value day climbing classic moderates or focused coaching to improve trad systems and efficiency, the day is built around your goals.
What a Guided Day Looks Like
Most guided trad climbing days in the Gunks are built around maximizing quality climbing while minimizing time spent waiting or route-finding.
A typical day summer day looks like early route selection based on weather and crowds, multiple classic pitches or routes, coaching on movement, gear, or techniques, efficient transitions and descents, flexible objectives based on your goals and pace.
The goal is simple:
Have an outstanding climbing day on some of the best rock in the Northeast.
Your Questions, Answered
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No. Guided climbing days are tailored to your experience level and goals.
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Absolutely. Many climbers hire a Gunks climbing guide specifically to climb classic multi-pitch routes efficiently.
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Yes, depending on your experience, goals, and conditions.
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Yes. All guided climbing days are private and customized to your objectives.
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Most experienced climbers hire a guide to maximize climbing time, improve route selection, and avoid wasting time learning a new climbing area from scratch.
Book a Guided Classic Climbing Day in the Gunks
The Gunks have hundreds of excellent trad climbs — but the best days usually come from knowing where to go, what to climb, and how to move efficiently through the terrain.
Whether you’re visiting New Paltz for the first time or returning to climb classic routes, a guided climbing day helps you maximize your time and experience the best of the Shawangunks.