Wind River Via Ferrata and Sport Climbing

Description

Private Guided Climbs of the

Wind River Via Ferrata

Climbing the Marmot Loop Via Ferrata in Wind River Canyon

Climb to new heights on one of the tallest via ferratas in North America!  We are privileged to offer private guided experiences climbing the Wind River Via Ferrata near Thermopolis, Wyoming.  For those wanting a challenge, the Bighorn and Merganser Loops are  demanding yet incredibly rewarding routes, with 2400 feet of total climbing, 800 feet of vertical gain, and two zip lines featured along the way.  We also offer guided climbs of the nearby Marmot Via Ferrata for those wanting a more introductory via ferrata experience in addition to guided sport climbing for all experience levels on nearby crags.

PLEASE NOTE: The Wind River Via Ferrata and adjacent sport climbing areas are located entirely on private land.  There is no public access to these climbing resources, the property is surveilled, and any attempt to access this property without a guide is criminal trespassing and will be prosecuted.  Via ferrata and climbing access on this property is guided-only and we are the sole entity offering guiding services at this time.  If you have any questions about climbing the Wind River Via Ferrata or adjacent sport climbing crags, please reach out to us directly via email, phone, or text.  Please do not try to contact the landowners or access the property on your own.

From May to September we welcome guests to climb at the Wind River Via Ferrata. All parties are privately guided, meaning that we don’t mix groups of people that don’t know each other.  We offer one and two day guided experiences with variable rates depending on the difficulty of the via ferrata.  We also offer guided sport climbing in addition to the via ferrata and as a standalone activity.   Our rates include all guiding and technical via ferrata and rock climbing gear needed for the day with no extra charges.  

Our via ferrata climbing experiences in Wind River are perfect if you’re looking for a fun and accessible way to explore the vertical world under the tutelage of a professional mountain guide.  All of our guides are experts at their craft, know the terrain they guide exceptionally well, and are kind, supportive people who will help you stay safe, have fun, and challenge yourself!

Why climb with us?

We are the only service that guides the Wind River Via Ferrata.  Our rock climbing guides are certified professionals, talented climbers, and good teachers.  They are also humble, personable, and overall great humans to be around in the mountains.  Our guides are experts at providing safe, supportive, and inclusive climbing experiences for people of all backgrounds and ability levels.  Additionally, our rock climbing guides live and climb in the Bighorn Basin throughout the year, which is a major advantage because they know the places they guide extremely well.

Via ferrata and climbing options:

We offer guided experiences every Thursday – Friday from May 8 – September 26, 2025.  We offer three climbing options, ranging from introductory to more challenging via ferrata climbs in addition to guided sport climbing.

 Marmot Loop Via Ferrata 

• Difficulty: K3 (learn more about the Husler Scale of via ferrata difficulty)
• Length: 600
• Vertical gain: 200
• Time to complete: 1 to 1.5 hours, in addition to 30-45 minutes round-trip hiking
• Rates: $225 (via ferrata only), $275 (sport climbing included)

Bighorn Loop + Merganser Loop Via Ferrata 

• Difficulty: K5
• Length: 2400
• Vertical gain: 800
• Time to complete: 2 to 3 hours, in addition to 30-45 minutes round-trip hiking
• Rates: $275 (via ferrata only), $325 (sport climbing included)

Sport Climbing 

• Difficulty range: 5.5-5.12
• Length of pitches: 20-35m 
• Time to complete: 4 to 5 hours, in addition to 30-45 minutes round-trip hiking
• Rate: $225 (no via ferrata)

Location:

The Wind River Via Ferrata is located on private land in Wind River Canyon near Thermopolis, Wyoming.  There is no public access to this climbing area except through our guiding service – please do not try to access on your own.  The rest of Wind River Canyon is under the jurisdiction of the Wind River Indian Reservation and no climbing access is permitted on tribal lands. 

Logistics:

Meeting up:  You will meet your guide at the Storyteller Cafe and Bookstore in Thermopolis before caravaning to the climbing area.

Ground transportation: We do not provide livery services between the meeting place and climbing area, so you’ll need to have your own ground transportation.

Equipment:  Many climbers choose to bring their own gear, but we can supply you with all technical via ferrata and rock climbing equipment you need for this experience free of charge.  However we do not provide basic hiking equipment such as backpacks, hiking shoes, or clothing.

Via ferrata and climbing guides:

Zach Lentsch guiding the Wind River Via Ferrata

Our talented team of Bighorn Basin-based climbing guides includes some of the most prolific climbers in the region who are at the forefront of rock and ice climbing development in the area.  Most importantly our guides are skilled teachers who are patient, kind, and helpful to people from all walks of life as they learn new skills.  Their top priority is making you feel safe and supported as you take on a new challenge.  Feel free to request a particular guide for your course.

• Zach Lentsch – Zach Lentsch is an avid climber, guide, and owner of Wyoming Mountain Guides. A Bighorn Basin native, Zach has been exploring wild parts of northern Wyoming for as long as he can remember. In addition to running the business and designing Wyoming Mountain Guides’ suite of climbing programs operating across the state, Zach works extensively in the field and guides a wide range of trips ranging from introductory programs to advanced rock, ice, and alpine trips on challenging terrain. Zach is also a passionate developer of new climbing routes with over 100 first ascents across Wyoming, including the longest ice climb in the state (Ultralight Beam WI3+ 1000m) in the Wind River Mountains, the longest sandstone rock climb in the state (The Fall of Satan 5.10 C3 250m) in the Bighorn Mountains, and a high concentration of rock, ice, and mixed climbs in the Cody area up to 5.12, WI6, and M9 in difficulty.  Zach is an experienced teacher and works hard to integrate as much technical and environmental education into the climbing experience as possible while also prioritizing safety and having a great time together.

• Dane Steadman – Dane Steadman is a skilled multi-disciplinary guide with significant accomplishments including the first guided ascents of Pilot Peak and Stinkingwater Peak, guided ascents of Cloud Peak, Gannet Peak, Granite Peak (MT), guided ice climbs in the Cody area up to WI6 in difficulty, and guided rock climbs across the state of Wyoming up to 5.12 in difficulty.  Dane is also a very driven and talented climber whose main focus is exploratory alpine climbing both in Wyoming and in the greater ranges.  Notable climbs of his include the first ascent of Technicolor Super Dream on Mt. Huntington in Alaska, the first ascent of the North Face of Pik Alpinist in Kyrgyzstan, the second ascent of Titanic on Torre Egger in Patagonia, and several first ascents of hard ice and mixed climbs in the South Fork of the Shoshone River Valley up to WI6+ and M11 in difficulty.  What’s more, Dane is incredibly personable, patient, professional, and really fun to be around in the mountains.

• Andrew Lamb – Andrew Lamb is rock and ice climbing instructor, experienced alpinist, and competitive ice climber from Worland, WY.  Andrew has instructed rock and ice climbing programs in Bozeman since 2022 and has recently relocated to the Cody area.  Some of his proudest ascents include the Japanese Couloir on Alaska’s Mt. Barrill, Winter Dance and the Nutcracker in Hyalite Canyon, and significant solos throughout the Greater Yellowstone.  He is also a talented competitive dry tooler who competed with the US National Ice Climbing Team.  He considers his greatest strength as a guide is his “attitude of positivity and optimism for all the aspects of the mountains, whether that be the hauling, the patience and respect for clients, the teaching of technical skills or the grit needed to work through tough situations environmentally, physically or emotionally.”

Booking and payment:

You can view each of our guide’s availability on the calendar above.  To book your experience directly via our website, you need to first select a guide and choose from available dates.  Then to finalize your booking we require a 25% deposit, which is non-refundable.  The remaining balance is to be paid two weeks before the program and is non-refundable if you cancel within two weeks of the program.  If you do cancel last minute on your own accord and want to transfer your credit to another course or trip, we do charge an additional 30% rescheduling fee.  However in case of bad weather or a medical emergency we will waive the rescheduling fee.

Contact Us:

Interested in a guided via ferrata experience?  Please send us an email with your name, contact info, and a brief description of what you’re looking for. Feel free to ask us any questions you might have about the trip!