INTRO TO OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING – 2 DAY

This two day course is our Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing & Intro to Sport & Leading Course combined. This course will allow climbers with previous indoor or outdoor climbing experience to excell in this sport.

This program is designed for those with previous belaying and climbing skills. If you are new to climbing we recommend taking our Rock Climbing Starter Course.

Topics covered on day 1:

• Climbing equipment and its use
• Outdoor climbing safety and hazard management
• Knots
• Belaying and safely tying into the rope
• Rock climbing terminology and commands
• Rock climbing movement
• Rope management
• Anchor building and assessment
• Top-rope set up
• Rappelling skills
• Threading the anchor for lowering
• Route selection and climbing grades

Topics covered on day 2:

Your guide will use a customized lesson plan and systematic approach to introduce and refine the critical rock climbing lessons specific to sport climbing throughout the day.

With this course our goal is to ensure that all participants are able to independently begin sport climbing by building a strong foundation to allow for ultimate safety, excellent technique, and a rapid progression.

Check out our Rock Progression Academy program for an in-depth program to all aspects of rock climbing.

The course is run over 2 full days, with a low student to guide ratio and with your guide following our carefully crafted curriculum and lesson plan.

Day 1: Meet your guide at 8:00am at the Squamish Adventure Centre.

The guide will have everyone sign a waiver before having a safety discussion and performing a gear check. They will then discuss the day's objectives and lesson plan.

The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a debrief.

Day 2: Meet your guide at 8:00am at the Cheakamus Canyon Climbing site.

The group will again discuss the day’s objectives and select appropriate routes together. Day 2 will focus on sport climbing, leading as well as continuing refinement of rock climbing techniques.

The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a debrief, discussion of course and next step recommendations.

Instructor provides group equipment:

• Ropes
• Anchor building equipment

Individual Equipment:

• Rock climbing shoes
• Harness
• Helmet
• Belay device (with 1 locking carabiner)
• Prusik 1.5-1.7m, 7mm
• Anchor building equipment (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners & 120cm or 240cm sling)
• Chalk bag

Take advantage of our bundle pricing and purchase the necessary climbing gear for this course at checkout.

Any other gear not provided in our bundle pricing can be found at: MEC, Climb On (37873 Cleveland Ave, Squamish) or Escape Route (40222 Glenalder Pl, Squamish).

Clothing (Plan ahead, check the weather forecast, and dress accordingly):

• Climbing pants (light pants that allow maximum mobility)
• T-shirt
• Mid layer fleece or wool top
• Weatherproof shell jacket
• Down or synthetic insulating “puffy” jacket
• Warm hat
• Light gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Approach shoes
• Daypack 25-35L

It is beneficial to practice using your own equipment under the supervision of a professional.

Day 1:

• Equipment and Use
• On site safety
• Rock climbing terminology and commands
• Essential climbing knots
• Rock Climbing Movement
• Belaying and safely tying into the rope
• Rope management
• Anchors
• Top-rope set up
• Threading the anchor
• Climbing grades
• Route selection

Click HERE for the full curriculum

Day 2:

• Cleaning Review (lowering or rappelling)
• Anchor Construction Review
• Movement Techniques
• Route Selection
• Efficiency improvements
• Lead belaying
• Clipping the rope properly
• Rope management lead the climbers