2026 Rockcraft Series

“Shining a light on the path to climbing mastery”

Expand your knowledge, build trust in your body, and have more fun!

Let me guess. Up until today…

  • ✺

    You’ve met some really great folks in the climbing community, but have found it difficult to find someone trustworthy, patient and available to teach you all the skills.

  • ✺

    You’re not really sure about all the climbs available in your region, and have often relied on others to set up the ropes (and are hoping they’re doing it right).

  • ✺

    You’ve wanted to get on the fast track to becoming a core climber, but aren’t sure where to start and are realizing that it takes years of practice.

  • ✺

    You’ve spent a lot of energy triple checking systems and managing stress because you’re not quite sure the rope will hold and you really, really don’t want yourself or anyone else to get injured while climbing.

  • ✺

    You’ve practiced a lot of these skills before but have had a tricky time staying consistent with your practices at home and getting them right in the field.

  • ✺

    You’ve sometimes felt like climbing is too risky or difficult, and then at other times felt like you’re leaving your potential on the table.

  • ✺

    You’ve been inspired to develop a deep connection to abundant natural landscapes through the craft of rock climbing… but you’re tired of wading through forums and guidebooks, lugging gear around, and waiting for long periods of time just to get on the same old climbs.

  • ✺

    You ‘re sure you want to go out into the mountains, choose your preferred route and explore freely, but you just haven’t found confidence and mastery yet.

Introducing the Rockcraft Series

I can do something no one else is doing.  I can offer you a formula to apply to your climbing that I guarantee will offer more fulfilling experiences. AND! I’ll show it to you in-person. AND! I can also help you access the personal empowerment necessary to coach your own learning process into the future so YOU can lead from your core desire and enjoy a lifetime of climbing.

Join me in a small, semi-private group setting for multiple days. Connect to your body, your desire, your community and the natural world.

We’ll combine the most up-to-date skills and equipment with ancient practices and esoteric wisdom and a whole lot of common sense. And FUN!

Learn the right way to play the long game of climbing from the very start.

Class sizes are capped at four participants per instructor.

Rockcraft Series: FRIDAY EDITION is perfect for experienced climbers practicing advanced proficiencies throughout the entire season.

  • Meeting 10am-3pm on select Fridays in 2026.

    April 17, May 15,

    June 5, June 19

    September 18, October 16

    November 6, & November 20.

  • Tuition for the program is $1975.

    Payment plans and a limited number of scholarships are available upon request.

Sign up for the 2026 Rockcraft Series: Friday Edition

Rockcraft Series: WEEKEND EDITION is perfect for experienced climbers looking to grow advanced proficiencies over four weekend intensives in 2026.

  • Meeting 9am-5pm on select weekends in 2026.

    May 2 & 3

    June 27 & 28

    September 12 & 13

    & October 24 & 25.

  • Tuition for the program is $2975.

    Payment plans and a limited number of scholarships are available upon request.

Sign up for the 2026 Rockcraft Series: Weekend Edition

The self-paced Rockcraft Series is a journey over twelve months for those seeking mentorship, mastery and choice in their lifelong pursuit of climbing. New applicants are being accepted year-round.

  • This program is open-ended and self-paced. You receive credit for sixty hours of future sessions, and are invited to schedule sessions at your convenience.

  • Tuition for the full Rock Sovereign program price varies based on the number of participants in a cohort.

    $6033 for one climber / $6533 for two climbers / $7033 for three climbers / $7533 for four climbers

    Payment plans, and a limited number of scholarships, are available upon request.

Begin the self-paced Rockcraft series

What’s included:

  • 40 to 60-plus hours of in-person guidance outdoors (depending on program). Gain practical experience with direct oversight from Dustin and accountability from your peers.

  • Your own copy of the accompanying 140-page ROCKCRAFT Workbook.

  • Photos, videos and notes from every session.

  • Prizes and incentives for participation and completion of the program.

  • “Debrief Guarantee”: in the event of an Incident, Near-Miss or Accident on your own time simply let us know and we can help you debrief. This guarantee never expires.

Bonuses:

  • Preferred access to nature preserves, state land and private property in Gardiner, NY 12525 and surrounding locations. Addresses upon registration.

  • Access to primitive campsites below Millbrook Mountain is included. Camping equipment is not included but can be rented from Rock & Snow in New Paltz. You may use the sites only on the nights before and after Rockcraft Series classes. Address upon registration.

  • Classes are guaranteed, rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, we will retreat to a high peak frame tent to continue our practices.

What You’ll Do

  • Complete the (rather dense) 140-page ROCKCRAFT Workbook and finally get a sense of the whole picture.

  • Sort out your vision and orientation so you can command the direction of your climbing from now on.

  • Gain a well-rounded understanding of climbing tools (ropes, carabiners, friction devices, and protection) and techniques (movement, belaying, anchoring, rappelling).

  • Get hands-on experience at the crag. You’ll spend time researching, finding, approaching, protecting, climbing and descending routes you choose out in the field. 

  • Receive expert guidance as you make a multitude of decisions.

  • Learn from case studies - participants write a report on a first-hand experience or otherwise reported accident in climbing, and report to the group. 

  • Explore the deeper meanings of working with our attention, our bodies and shared landscapes through practice, readings and discussion.

  • Be a part of a community as we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and move gratefully from the earth to practice one of the most culturally meaningful actions in history: climbing. (In 2019 UNESCO recognized climbing as an art and a traditional, physical practice on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.)

Meet Your Guide: Dustin

I am a force multiplier in your 10,000 hour journey to climbing mastery.

If climbing is a game, it is won in the draft. I’ll help you get it right from the early stages so you can reap the benefits for years. 

How we’ll work together

We’ll make a story together. The outline is: Evaluate where you are -> Set your intention -> Make a Plan -> Work the Plan -> Attempt the Goal -> Optimize and Debrief. Each series moves through this story according to the desires and needs of the individuals within the cohort.

We’ll start with an assessment of your raw skill and experience. We’ll look at your willingness to see and tell the truth. We’ll grow your capacity for trust, and pick a course together. Be ready to get your hands dirty. Expect to receive homework.

You can count on me being your guide at the beginning. To help you become independent on the cliffs as fast as possible, I like to work nose in, hands out. Over time I expect you to develop your abilities so I can transition into being your strategic advisor offering my experience. Don’t worry - I’ve done this before with countless students, and we have a lot of fun!

Remember, this is about YOU and your goals. By the end of our time together, you’ll lead the experience while I’m there to offer you additional affirmation and bounce ideas off of.

Climbing can transform lives. I watch it happen in front of my eyes all the time.

You don’t have to believe me. I’m asking for you to try and see for yourself.

This is what my past students are saying.

  • Dustin is a fantastic climbing guide. No matter your experience level, he knows how to assess your comfort level and kindly push you just outside that comfort zone by creating a supportive and safe environment.

    Sean Sandbach

  • I've been climbing for 25 years and wish I had known Dustin 25 years ago. You'll be in good hands! He's a consummate professional, deep thinker, and all-around five-star guide and guy.

    Derin Tanyol

  • Dustin is a world class professional blending an extremely informational experience with the most fun you'll ever have. We were looking to transition from indoor climbing to outdoor, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Worth every penny, I cannot say enough good things.

    Nick Hamilton

  • Dustin is an excellent guide. He’s safe, friendly, efficient and great at working towards your goals - whether that’s climbing for fun, working on skills, or getting to know the area better. I highly recommend his services.

    Daniel Nuffer

  • Dustin is friendly, straightforward, honest, and conscientious, and he's a great teacher. Highly recommend.

    Jennifer Armstrong

  • Dustin is a consummate professional, an an excellent guide and instructor. I have been out with him multiple times in various climbing situations using warriors way curriculum as well as other rock climbing material. It is always an enjoyable and enriching experience. Highly recommend Dustin.

    Neil Sherak

  • Great session and great guidance. I already feel like a wiser and better climber. I'm ready to put what I learned into practice. Would heartily recommend.

    Jonathan Elderfield

"Super helpful for me"

"It was an absolute blast"

"Very highly recommended, add a plus to those 5 stars."

"It was an incredible experience"

"Super helpful for me" "It was an absolute blast" "Very highly recommended, add a plus to those 5 stars." "It was an incredible experience"

"Extremely helpful for my climbing"

"The experience was just so pleasant, relaxed, fun, and exciting"

"Loved getting to work as a team"

"He tailored the adventure perfectly."

"Extremely helpful for my climbing" "The experience was just so pleasant, relaxed, fun, and exciting" "Loved getting to work as a team" "He tailored the adventure perfectly."

"He cared about us learning and making progress in our skills all while still having fun"

"He's excellent on the technical issues"

"A fantastic resource and guide"

"We will definitely return for future experiences with Dustin!"

"Dustin is the go to guide in the Gunks"

"He cared about us learning and making progress in our skills all while still having fun" "He's excellent on the technical issues" "A fantastic resource and guide" "We will definitely return for future experiences with Dustin!" "Dustin is the go to guide in the Gunks"

I am still a student, like you are, and I will continue to benefit from inviting in other perspectives.

That said, I think I have a pretty solid understanding of what is takes to get climbers where they want to go.

My offer is to demystify and highlight what’s needed to contribute to true sovereignty and independence in a vertical environment.

You can choose to make a commitment here.

The Rockcraft Series asks climbers to commit a portion of their journey to climbing mastery, to practicing and testing the results with me. Effective and commitmed students recognize that the time commitment is spread among three parts:

  • The time spent in the program, in-person and outdoors here in the Gunks, represents only 1/3rd of the commitment.

  • The same amount of time (or more) is committed to intentional self-study and personal development.

  • The same amount of time (or more) is committed to practicing with your peers.

The commitment is to pay to spend multiple days training with a professional guide like me, and also treat it as just the beginning.

Over time, you’ll need less and less direct guidance. (If you feel you’re getting to that point, it is time to ask your guide to go climb rad stuff together!)

I’m not selling you insurance.

but…

I can help you prolong your investment in climbing 2x, 5x, 10x longer so it’ll last for more time.

I can offer you safety that whatever you just bought will continue to provide value for a long time.

The method I teach is not a bunch of “Have To’s”.

These are not absolutes. These are just choices. And they have tradeoffs.

I’m not going to MAKE YOU excell or deficient, but I can help you see the paths in front of you.

I can help you go from 0 reps, to 1. And then from 1 to 10. Then from 10 to 10000.

Learn the right way to play the long game of climbing from the very start!