Outdoor Rock Intro
Dates Price Meeting Time & Place Agenda Plus Day Location Instructors & Group Size Difficulty and Prerequisites Transportation Accommodation & Meals Gear & Clothing Insurance How to Book
This course is designed for beginner and intermediate level indoor climbers and for those who have never climbed before. In it you will learn basic safety and top rope techniques for climbing outdoors and you will be coached on rock climbing movement skills. You will also be introduced to the skills necessary to second on both sport and 'trad' climbs.
Modern climbing instruction focuses much more on training in movement techniques. Developing these skills early on means you will find climbing much more rewarding as you become more successful. The rope techniques taught are those you need to be able to get started in the sport and allow you to practice your climbing skills safely. On later courses you can learn more advanced techniques for leading and multi-pitch climbing.
The Canadian Rockies surrounding Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise offer great climbing on sandstone, limestone and quartzite. Expect to be climbing in different spectacular locations each day.
In addition we offer an add-on 'Plus Day' on the Monday when you can join a small instructor led team to climb one of the many great multi-pitch climbs in the region.
2009 Dates
May 16 - 17; June 6 - 7; June 27 - 28; July 25 - 26; Aug 15 - 16; Aug 29 - 30; Sept 12 - 13
Price
$285 CDN covers instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can tell you about. Cancellation insurance is available for $15. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is extra.
Upgrade to Rock Evolution for an extra $610. Rock Evolution includes: Outdoor Rock Intro, the "Plus" day and 2 further instructional climbing days. Details
More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing after the course ... details .
Meeting Time and Place
The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 8.00am on the Saturday morning. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.
Course Agenda
Saturday: 8:00am
at Yamnuska Office & Local
Climbing Area
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Welcome, introduction, goals and agenda.
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Issue gear.
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Introduce movement on rock ('bouldering')
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Review knots, introduce basic belay systems and belay calls
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Rappelling & lowering.
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Coached movement skill training on 'top-roped' climbs.
Sunday: At Local Climbing Area
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Bouldering warm up.
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Review belay systems.
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More climbs. Different movement skills are introduced and with careful coaching you will be surprised at what you find yourself climbing.
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Introduction to seconding sport and 'trad' climbs. Especially if going on to the 'Plus Day' you will need to be able to remove the gear the instructor places on lead. You will also learn to belay a lead climber.
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Debrief and wrap-up by 5:00pm.
'Plus Days'
Stay for an extra day and put your new skills into practice on a classic
Canadian Rockies multi-pitch climb such as 'Yamnuska'. The
instructor to student ratio is 1:2. We divide into compatible
teams, choose a suitable 'multi-pitch' route (several rope lengths
in height) and spend the whole day climbing it. Climbs
include routes on Yamnuska, Kid Goat Buttress, Tunnel Mountain and
Cascade.
$230 plus GST. Available every Monday following 'Outdoor Rock Intro'.
(cancellation coverage $12)
Book the "Plus Day"
More climbing: Yamnuska guides & instructors are available for private climbing after the course ... details .
Rock Climbing Locations
We use a variety of locations on this program. These include the Yamnuska "Practice Cliffs", Zygote Buttress near Exshaw, Wasootch Creek in Kananaskis Country, Rundle Rock at Banff or, one of our favorites, " Back of the Lake" at Lake Louise. They are all great beginner rock climbing areas in beautiful mountain locations.
Instructors & Group Size
Enthusiastic and extremely talented, your instructors hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our instructors are chosen not just for their technical climbing virtuosity but also for their ability to instruct and coach.
Instructor to student ratios range down from 1:6. On "Plus" days 1:2 is the norm. Minimum group size is 3.
Difficulty & Prerequisites
This course is designed for:
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Basic & Intermediate level indoor rock gym climbers (you can top rope lower grade climbs < 5.9, you are not leading climbs).
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People who have not climbed before who are in good physical shape.
If you are an indoor climber and climb 5.9 and greater and you are leading or feel ready to lead you should consider our 'Rock Transition' course.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary.
If you are flying from afar for the program we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting you to the climbing locations it will allow you to explore our region after program hours. For example you can visit Banff and enjoy the hot pools and sample the numerous restaurants. If you want we can put other participants in touch with you who may be interested in sharing the cost of a rental car or who may be willing to use their vehicles in a car pool.
When booking please indicate if you are bringing a vehicle and, if so, whether your are willing or not to give other participants or instructors a ride in a car pool. If you are not driving here please indicate if you'd be willing to share the cost of a rental car or if you would prefer to car pool.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8897 for taxis in Canmore.
Accommodation & Meals
These are your responsibility. There are lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels. Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with good facilities and reasonable prices.
Food is not supplied. You will need lunch and something to drink each day. Bring plenty to drink and a lunch plus energy snacks.
Equipment & Clothing
The course fee includes use of rock shoes and technical gear although you should feel free to bring any gear you already have.
The weather encountered on this program varies greatly, with the courses at the beginning and the end of the season more prone to cold conditions. The list below covers all possibilities. Should sunny warm conditions be forecast some items may be unnecessary. Remember that weather can change fast so even if the day starts out sunny you may still need rain gear in the afternoon. Conditions on the higher climbs on the 'Plus Days' are often colder.
Clothing and Equipment List
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Lunch, snacks and plenty to drink
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Daypack (large enough for spare clothing, your lunch & personal and group climbing gear)
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Sunglasses
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Sun cream
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Rain Gear
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Clothing allowing for easy and complete range of movement
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Warm weather gear (fleece jacket, long johns, warm hat, etc.)
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Rock shoes (available for your use at no extra charge, please let us know in advance if needing to use these)
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Hiking boots or running shoes for the hike to the climbing area.
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Harness, helmet if you have them (we will supply these if necessary)
Insurance
There is no charge for rescue. If we climb in Banff National Park you will need a day entry pass (c.$9) to qualify for free rescue. This pass can be obtained when we enter the Park. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here.
Booking Information
Please book as early
as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on
booking. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest
you take our cancellation insurance ($15), this must accompany
your payment.
For detailed booking instructions and conditions,
click
here.
Please note that you will be
required to sign our waiver before commencing the course.
Please view our sample waiver
copy.
Book Outdoor Rock Intro
Book the "Plus Day"