30 Jan 2023
I can’t say enough wonderful things about our adventure with Clay and Ground Up Guides. I took my five and eight year old kiddos to Mammoth and Clay taught us how to climb around. We were regulars at a climbing gym but getting outside made us fall in love with the sports so much more. He was a great communicator and I felt like he thoroughly prepared us for what to expect. On the day of our climb, my girls were very apprehensive and very shy. It took no time at all for them to warm up to Clay. He’s so easy-going and was so good at Working with the girls. He was able to talk at their level without talking down to them if that makes any sense. Within a few short hours he pump them up with so much encouragement and confidence… That kind of empowerment is priceless. His passion for the sport and his love of the outdoors is evident. We felt safe the entire time. And he made sure to teach us and make us aware of what was safe and not safe – – there is a lot going on when someone is climbing up some rocks and he definitely had a good handle everything. Managing the safety of the ropes the knots the equipment, helping to keep the kids in line, Awareness of other hikers in climbers….he’s definitely a pro. He let me know of some of the summer climbing camps that he runs for kids and my very introverted eight-year-old has been counting down the days when she can go climbing again. We had such a great experience. We are hooked! You can just call us a couple of outdoorsy gals now!