How One College Climbing Class Turned Rocco Tedesco into an Climbing AMGA Guide

From College Climbing Class to AMGA Instructor: The Story of Rocco Tedesco

Every climber remembers the moment it stopped being a hobby.

For AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Rocco Tedesco, it started with a simple college class—and quickly became something much bigger.

Discovering Climbing in College

Rocco first found climbing through a college course.

“I was taking an eight week college class that was an introduction to indoor climbing.”

The class was short, but it was enough to hook him.

“As soon as that ended, I couldn't bear to process the idea of not continuing to climb.”

So he didn’t stop.

Instead, he kept searching for ways to stay on the wall, eventually joining his university’s outdoor adventure program leading climbing trips.

During one of those early trips, something clicked.

“People were relying on me and it feels good.”

At the time, he was also experiencing what he describes as a quarter-life crisis—burned out on his major and unsure of his direction after college.

But climbing gave him clarity.

“The one thing I knew I liked doing at the time was climbing. But more specifically, teaching people how to climb.”

That realization changed the path he thought his life would take.

“You know what? Forget the 9 to 5. I'm going to make money off of climbing.”

Why Climbers Stay

Like many climbers, Rocco says the physical challenge first pulled him in.

But the deeper connection came later.

“The more days I went without climbing, the more frustrated and antsy I would get.”

Climbing quickly became something much bigger than exercise.

“It was less of something I would just go do for my fitness and more something that really fueled me and gave me energy and motivation.”

And like many climbers, he discovered that the people around the sport were just as important as the climbing itself.

“I came for the physicality and the challenge and I stayed for the community.”

Becoming an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor

Rocco spent several years gaining experience through his university’s outdoor program, working his way up to leading his own trips.

Those years helped confirm something important. He thought to himself…

“I've done this for two years and I'm still getting the same thrill I got from the first day I did it.”

So as graduation approached, he decided to take the next step and pursue his AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification.

He signed up for the SPI course shortly before graduating and completed it a few months later in Joshua Tree National Park.

Every step reinforced that he was on the right path.

“Every step in the process just felt like another affirmation.”

The Best Moment When Guiding Beginners

When asked what he loves most about guiding beginners, Rocco doesn’t hesitate.

It’s the moment someone accomplishes something they once thought was impossible.

“My job is to be that person to inspire confidence and remove unnecessary fear.”

Maybe a climber is afraid of heights. Maybe their goal is simply to reach the top of the wall.

When they finally do, the reaction says everything.

“That moment where you watch them accomplish something that they might have thought they could never do… those are the moments that I live for with my job.”

Seeing it happen also reminds him of his own early days climbing.

“Every time I see somebody really push themselves and take that leap of faith, it reminds me of when I first started.”

Staying Humble on the Rock

Climbing also has a way of keeping people grounded.

Recently, Rocco had one of those days while climbing towers near Moab.

The plan was ambitious: climb several towers in one day.

Instead, the team encountered crumbling sandstone and unsafe conditions that forced them to bail.

“It was the most humbled I've been on a rock.”

The experience changed how he approaches certain environments.

“It's definitely added this additional caution to me.”

More importantly, it reinforced the importance of good climbing partners.

“We live to send another day.”

A Dream Objective on El Capitan

Like many climbers, Yosemite sits high on Rocco’s list of goals.

But the climb that fascinates him most isn’t a typical route.

It’s the Girdle Traverse on El Capitan, a massive horizontal journey across the face of the wall rather than a straight ascent.

“There's something about how convoluted and silly and non-straightforward it is that really draws me to it.”

For Rocco, the appeal lies in the adventure.

“It feels like more of a mission.”

The Ultimate Crag Snack

Every climber has a favorite snack for long days on rock.

For years, Rocco’s go-to was simple: Clif Bars and peanut butter made into a sandwich.

But there was a rule.

“The Clif Bars… it cannot be a fresh bar out of the box.”

More recently, he picked up a new crag snack from a friend—what he calls “crag-style smoked fish,” made with a humble can of fish from the grocery store.

Using a paper towel wick and the oil from the can, climbers can heat the fish right at the base of the wall.

“You have a nice hot can of fish that's a little smoky…It is spectacular.”

Living the Climbing Life

For Rocco, climbing isn’t just a hobby anymore.

It’s a way of life built around teaching, community, and constant learning.

Climbing can humble you.

But those powerful moments are what keep people coming back.

“Getting humbled teaches us how to stay alive.”

And the highs?

“Those adrenaline rock star moments are kind of what keeps us coming back for more.”