Ice Lead Climbing Course

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Day one 7:30 orientation meeting at Gear Up Sports   top of page

• Meet at Gear Up Rentals in Canmore (click for map to Gear Up) 
  
• Sign waivers, safety discussion and backpack/equipment check.
• Lesson 1 Evaluate Weather & CAA Avalanche Forecast.
• Lesson 2 Choose an appropriate venue and route - use Parks Canada ATES Scale
• Drive: Drive to local area
• Safety reminder: Current hazards and safety protocols for ice Climbing.
• Equipment: Adjust crampons, harnesses, helmets and backpack set ups
• Ice climbing warm up
• Lesson 3 Ice screws, protection placement stances, v-threads, bolted anchors, screamer draws, abalacov hooker tool, screw quick clips
• Lesson 4 Racking & preparation for lead climbing: ice & mixed climbing guidebooks, choosing routes, double rope technique
• Lesson 5 Demo lead climb
• Lesson 6 Mock leads 
• Lesson 7 Rappelling system: anchor/testing backup
• Lesson 8 Actual lead with safety, feedback and fine-tuning
• Leading practice until course closure.
• Course debrief and next step recommendations.
• Course closure
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Accommodation

Accommodation is not included.

Should you require accommodation in Canmore, we have organized for your convenience excellent value accommodation packages with local providers: economy option at the Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse $30 per night w/ kitchen facilities, superior option at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge $123 per night based on double occupancy and luxury options - prices range on luxury level. These choices are made available during the booking process. 

Food

Students are responsible for their own food. MSA offers discounted breakfast and packed lunch packages should you request it.

Transportation

Students are responsible for their own transportation. We encourage car- pooling and usually this works out very well. Transport for the week is available for an extra $100.00.

Equipment

• Only bundled courses include all the climbing equipment you will need (If you require equipment please let us know so that we may arrange it for you). At this stage, we recommend you use your own equipment, since it is best to be familiar with your own equipments specific attributes. Organized for your convenience (we make zero profit on this) we also have available discounted packaged equipment deals for purchase with a selection of several different products - please inquire. We highly recommend that individuals purchase their own helmet, harness, 2 locking carabiners and 1 belay device prior to the course. It just makes sense to own the very basics of equipment as a climber.

   

• Please view equipment list 
  

Clothing

• Warm under layers and socks
• Soft shell top and bottom
• Hard shell top and bottom
• Mid layer fleece top
• Extra puffy jacket- down or synthetic outer coat
• Warm hat
• Balaklava or neck tube
• 1 set of gloves  and 1 additional set of gloves/mitts
• A pair of lighter gloves
• Sunglasses, sunscreen

Equipment

At this level we recommend participants have their own equipment. If you do not we will supply it.
 

• Helmet
• Harness
• Boots
• Ice Axes
• Crampons
• 2 locking carabiners
• 1 double length sling and 1 belay device
• The following is not obligatory:
• 1 Abalacov Hooker
• 1 small knife
• 1 meter section of climbing 7 mil static cord/prussic material
• 5 medium ice screws
• 4 long ice screws
• 6 quickdraws or shoulder length slings or screamers w/non locking carabiners
• 2 double length slings

Note: Only bundled courses include all the climbing equipment you will need (If you require equipment please let us know so that we may arrange it for you). At this stage, we recommend you use your own equipment, since it is best to be familiar with your own equipments specific attributes. Organized for your convenience (we make zero profit on this) we also have available discounted packaged equipment deals for purchase with a selection of several different products - please inquire. We highly recommend that individuals purchase their own helmet, harness, 2 locking carabiners and 1 belay device prior to the course. It just makes sense to own the very basics of equipment as a climber.

Food & Water

MSA does not include food and drink for this course. It is a good idea to bring a thermos with tea. Student should pack a lunch with snack for every course day. Packaged breakfast and lunches are available upon request.

Other

• Toilet Paper
• Lighter
• Sanitizer
• Personal items