Dedicated to the Craft

Our MissioN

Ojai Rock Climbing exists to share the unique spirit of Ojai’s climbing landscape through safe, meaningful, and adventurous experiences. We are unflinching in our dedication to professionalism, and are committed to maintaining our status as the most experienced and professionally run outfit in the Topa Topa Mountains.

At Ojai Rock Climbing, we believe climbing is more than a sport—it’s a way to commune deeply with nature. A path showing us how to demolish perceived personal limits. A wellspring of discovery, revealing new levels of resilience and confidence. Every outing is crafted not simply as a technical challenge, but with these beliefs in mind.

backcountryportrait — O.R.C. owner, Alex Bury

About the Company

Ojai Rock Climbing was founded in 2015 by Alex Bury, at first simply as a means to live as close to the wild terrain of the Topa Topas as possible. But ultimately, O.R.C. grew and continues to serve as a means to educate, foster, and support the current generation of climbers now questing into the local backcountry.

Alex Bury grew up in Ojai, and began climbing as a kid, on the exact sandstone walls where he now guides professionally. Alex holds AMGA certification, serves as lead guide for O.R.C., and is a true pillar of the Ojai climbing community. Often called a “local legend”, although he would deny it, he is unquestionably the most dedicated and active traditional style climber, pioneering entire new areas, that is active today in our mountains.

With over two decades of experience exploring and developing the diverse terrain surrounding Ojai and Santa Barbara, Alex offers unmatched expertise and a deep passion for sharing the joy of rock climbing. His intimate knowledge of the local climbing areas ensures every outing, whether an introductory adventure or an advanced instructional course, is safe, inspiring, and uniquely tailored to the natural beauty of Ojai.

Bury’s resume includes the pioneering of dozens of new technical routes throughout the Ojai and Santa Barbara backcountry. Notably, he boasts numerous challenging first ascents, including 5.12 trad routes and many popular sport routes now enjoyed by the broader climbing community. This extensive development work underscores his unparalleled knowledge of Ojai’s climbing areas, and underscores his commitment to mountain craft.

Beyond his personal climbing achievements, Alex is dedicated to professional excellence and client safety. He is a proud member of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of guiding. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which instilled in him a robust foundation in wilderness leadership and safety. His professional training includes:

AMGA Rock Guide Course: Completed for multi-pitch guiding.
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) program: Certified to guide and instruct on single-pitch terrain.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification: Holds current certification from the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute, ensuring advanced wilderness medical care capabilities.

At Ojai Rock Climbing, Alex’s philosophy extends beyond mere instruction; he strives to connect people with the wild places of Ojai, using climbing as a vehicle to achieve deeply meaningful, active integration with the landscape.

Our Core Values

We make our values clear: we believe climbing is more than movement on rock—it’s a discipline with an ethic, a lineage, and a responsibility.

Respect for the Craft — We uphold adventure climbing and the traditional style as the highest expressions of the sport, where uncertainty, risk, and creativity define the experience.

Environmental Stewardship — We promote and practice low-impact ethics, protecting Ojai’s rock and wild spaces from overdevelopment and unnecessary alteration.

Growth Through Challenge — We believe real progress (both personally and in the sport) comes from engaging risk and the unknown, not removing them.