Rock Evolution

Dates Price Meeting Time & Place Agenda Location Instructors & Group Size Difficulty and Prerequisites Transportation Accommodation & Meals Gear & Clothing Insurance How to Book

Rock Evolution is an innovative and modern climbing development program designed for fit beginners and for basic and intermediate indoor climbers.

This 5-day course incorporates elements from all of Yamnuska's rock programs, starting with the basics and progressing onto multi-pitch climbs, gear placement, rope handling techniques, and lots of personal movement skill coaching.

The program is taught by technically gifted instructors who are also skilled coaches. An approach focusing on personal technical movement skills allows for differing rates of development.

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2010 Dates

June 5 - 9, June 26 - 30, July 24 - 28, Aug 14 - 18, Aug 28 - Sept 1, Sept 11 - 15

Price

$895 CDN based on a minimum of 4 people covers instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $45. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is extra. Gratuities not included.

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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 Day 1. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location.

Course Agenda

Please note that this outline is a sample only as we may change locations and alter the progression of subjects to best adapt to weather conditions and student abilities.

Day 1: 8:00am At Yamnuska Office & Local Climbing Area

Welcome, introduction, goals and agenda
Issue gear
Introduce movement on rock ('bouldering')
Review knots, introduce basic belay systems and belay calls
Rappelling & lowering.
Coached movement skill training on 'top-roped' climbs

Day 2: At Local Climbing Area A tricky move, Rock Evolution

Bouldering warm up
Review belay systems
More climbs. Different movement skills are introduced and with careful coaching you will be surprised at what you find yourself climbing.
Introduction to seconding sport and 'trad' climbs.

Day 3: At Local Climbing Area

Instructor led multi-pitch climb. The real thing! Ascend a rock face such as Yamnuska.

Day 4: At Local Climbing Area

Bouldering warm-up
Gear placements. Learn to place natural pro (camming devices etc)
Belay anchor building
Bolt clipping on lead
'Switchovers' on sport climbs
Simulated leads

Day 5: At Local Climbing Area

Review climbing skills. Put all your new knowledge to the test. Challenge yourself on harder climbs.
Course evaluation and wrap-up by 5:00 pm.

More climbing: Yamnuska guides and instructors are also available for private climbing after the course ... details .

Locations

The Bow Valley is blessed with varied rock and lots of different climbing crags. Expect to climb on sandstone at Yamnuska Practice cliff, Limestone slabs at Wasootch Creek, quartzite at Lake Louise (one of Canada's greatest climbing cliffs) and at one or more of many other locations such as Grassi Lakes, Cougar Creek, Heart Creek, Kid Goat Buttress, East End of Rundle or Yamnuska. We will be based in Canmore but will travel each day to get the most from the variety of climbing available in the area.

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 the multi-pitch day 1:2 is the norm. Minimum group size is 3.

Difficulty & Prerequisites

Climbing on EEOR, Rock Evolution This course is designed for:

Basic & Intermediate level indoor rock gym climbers (you can top rope lower grade climbs < 5.9, you are not leading climbs).
People who have not climbed before or who have a little outdoor climbing experience and 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 or if it's multi-pitch climbing you want then 'Hot Rock'.

Transportation

Rock Evolution 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 a bit 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 you are willing 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 multi-pitch days are often colder.

Clothing and Equipment List

Lunch, snacks and plenty to drink
Daypack (large enough for spare clothing, your lunch & personal and group climbing gear)
Sunglasses
Sun cream
Rain Gear
Clothing allowing for easy and complete range of movement
Warm weather gear (fleece jacket, long johns, warm hat, etc.)
Rock shoes (available for your use at no extra charge, please let us know in advance if needing to use these)
Hiking boots or running shoes for the hike to the climbing area.
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 whilst here.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a deposit of $329 Cdn including GST with the balance due 8 weeks in advance of the course. If booking less than 8 weeks in advance full payment is required. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance ($45), 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. We also ask that all participants fill out our Mountain Experience Questionnaire.