Stand on top
of Ancient Art.
A full day on one of the Colorado Plateau's most spectacular rock formations. Private guiding. All gear. No crowds. Just you, your crew, and one unforgettable summit.
Ancient Art at
Fisher Towers
Ancient Art is unlike anything else in Moab — or anywhere. Part of the Fisher Towers formation along the Colorado River corridor, it's a slim, gravity-defying sandstone spire capped by a narrow corkscrew of rock that looks like it was sculpted by the wind itself. Because it was.
The summit is one of the most iconic in American climbing. Straddling that corkscrew — hundreds of feet above the desert floor, Colorado River below, La Sal Mountains behind you — is one of those moments that doesn't need a filter. Or an explanation. You'll just know.
Getting there is the climb. Multi-pitch sandstone, technical movement, anchor systems, and a rappel descent — all guided privately by your Clapper Adventures guide, who knows these towers the way most people know their own backyard.
What you'll
do & learn
This is a full day in the desert — and we mean that in the best possible way. Your guide builds the experience around your group: whether you want to dig deep into climbing technique or just get to the top and take in the view. Both are valid. Both are achievable.
Morning Meetup & Gear Up
Meet your guide in Moab. Get fitted with your harness, helmet, and shoes. Your guide walks you through the day's plan, checks the weather window, and answers every question before you leave the trailhead.
Drive & Approach Hike
About 45 minutes from Moab to the Fisher Towers trailhead, then a 1.5-mile hike through one of the most surreal landscapes on earth — jagged red spires, open sky, Colorado River below. Warm up your legs and your eyes.
Ground School at the Base
Before the first pitch, your guide teaches the fundamentals: belay technique, rope management, how to read sandstone holds, and anchor systems. No background assumed. No shortcuts. Real skills you'll use all day.
Multi-Pitch Ascent
The climb itself — multiple pitches of desert sandstone, each one different. Your guide leads, sets anchors, coaches you through the crux. This is where the technique you just learned meets actual rock, and it clicks in ways that are hard to describe.
The Summit — Ancient Art's Corkscrew
You straddle the narrow spiral at the top. The La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, the whole red-rock wilderness stretched out below. This is the moment. Take it in. Your guide knows when to stay quiet.
Rappel Down & Hike Out
The descent is by rappel — another skill your guide coaches you through step by step. Hike back through the towers, load up, and drive back to Moab with a story worth telling.
Local knowledge.
No compromises.
Guides Who Live Here
Our guides have spent decades on Colorado Plateau sandstone — not just passing through. They know the rock, the weather patterns, the seasonal conditions, and the routes that don't show up in any guidebook.
Tailored to Your Group
One party. All day. The itinerary adapts to your fitness, comfort level, and what you actually want out of the day — technical skills, summit photos, or both. You're not following a script for strangers.
Professional-Grade Gear
We carry certified, well-maintained climbing hardware: dynamic ropes, modern harnesses and helmets, aluminum anchors, rescue systems. Everything you need, none of what you don't.
Fully Permitted & Insured
Clapper Adventures operates in partnership with fully permitted and insured outfitters. When something matters, the paperwork should match. You can book with confidence.
Real Instruction
This isn't just a guided tour — it's skill-building. You leave knowing how to belay, read sandstone, manage a rappel. The kind of practical outdoor knowledge that opens more doors long after the day is done.
Honest Pre-Trip Conversation
Before you book, we talk. We'll tell you plainly whether this trip suits your group, suggest modifications if needed, and help you pick the right day. No upsells. No surprises on the wall.
How hard
is it, really?
Who is this for?
This trip is ideal for people who are physically active, comfortable with heights, and genuinely curious about the technical side of climbing. Some prior climbing experience — even just a few gym sessions — makes the day more enjoyable, though it isn't required if you're willing to learn.
You should be able to hike 3+ miles over uneven terrain. You should be honest with yourself (and us) about heights. And you should want to be fully present in a wild place for a full day.
Not sure if this is right for you? That's exactly what the phone call is for. We'll be straight with you. If Ancient Art isn't the best fit today, we'll find the climb that is. Call 435.260.7066 and let's figure it out together.
Spring & Fall book fast.
Plan ahead.
March–May and September–November are the sweet spot — moderate temps, spectacular light, and high demand. Summer trips are available with early starts to beat the desert heat.
What's included &
what to bring
✅ What's included
🎒 What to bring
Real trips,
real people.
"I've done guided climbs with a few different companies over the years. This was different — genuinely different. Our guide knew exactly when to push and when to let us breathe. Getting to the top of Ancient Art is something I'll talk about for the rest of my life."
"We had zero climbing experience going in. Our guide was patient, funny, and never made us feel nervous — he just explained everything clearly and kept us moving. Standing on that corkscrew summit with the Colorado River below us? I cried. In the best way."
"Booked this as a solo traveler — they sorted everything, communicated before the trip, checked what I was hoping to get out of the day. On the wall, my guide was teaching me real technique the whole time. Not just getting me to the top. Getting me there properly."
Reviews reflect verified guest experiences. Clapper Adventures does not fabricate or modify review content.
Questions people
actually ask
Some prior experience — even just a gym session — makes the day go smoother, but it isn't a hard requirement. Our guides teach everything from scratch: belay technique, how to move on sandstone, anchor systems, rappelling. What matters more is physical fitness, a genuine comfort with heights, and a willingness to learn. Call us first and we'll have an honest conversation about whether this trip is the right fit for where you're at right now.
The summit. Ancient Art's corkscrew top is unlike any other summit on the Colorado Plateau — a narrow ribbon of rock you straddle to reach the very tip of the spire. The views in every direction are extraordinary: the Colorado River gorge, the La Sal Mountains, the full Fisher Towers formation. It's one of those places that earns its reputation every single time someone gets up there.
Yes — always. Every Clapper Adventures trip is 100% private. You won't be paired with other parties. Your guide is dedicated to your group for the entire day. This matters more on a technical climb than almost anywhere else: pace, instruction, and safety decisions are all made around the people in front of your guide, not an arbitrary mixed group.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the ideal windows — moderate temperatures, long days, and the desert at its most dramatic. Summer trips happen but require an early start to beat the midday heat; your guide will set the timeline accordingly. Winter days can be exceptional on south-facing desert sandstone. Whatever the season, we'll plan around the forecast and current conditions.
Safety is the first call, always. If conditions aren't suitable, we'll reschedule — not push you onto a route that isn't safe for the day. Specific cancellation terms are shared during the booking process. Have questions before you commit? Call us at 435.260.7066 and we'll walk you through everything.
Start with the inquiry form at clapperadventures.com/contact or call us directly at 435.260.7066. Pricing varies based on group size and specific trip configuration — we don't publish fixed prices because we'd rather give you an accurate number for your actual situation. The conversation is free. The trip is worth it.
More to explore
Indian Creek & Castleton Tower
Moab's world-class crack climbing. Indian Creek is one of the most famous trad climbing destinations on the planet. Castleton Tower is the defining desert summit. Both guided privately by Clapper.
View Rock Climbing →Canyoneering in Bow & Arrow, Morning Glory
Rappel into slot canyons carved from ancient dunes. Bow and Arrow is perfect for beginners and families (ages 8+). Morning Glory adds longer rappels and stunning slot sections.
View Canyoneering →Multi-Day Multi-Sport Adventures
Climb one day, canyon the next. Combine Ancient Art with an Indian Creek crack day, a mountain bike on the Mag 7, or a backcountry ski run in the La Sals. Clapper builds it around your week.
View Multi-Sport →
Ancient Art
is waiting
for you.
One private guide. One full day. One of the most extraordinary summits on the Colorado Plateau. Tell us your dates and let's make it happen.
📞 435.260.7066Fully permitted · Certified guides · 100% private · Moab, Utah