Untitled Document

Trad Climbing Intro Course
Register for course

Course Rundown

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included.

Food

Food is not included.

Course Cost:
$130.00 per person based on 6 participants
5% gst & other taxes extra

Duration:

1 day

Location:

Canmore and Banff, Canadian Rockies

Guide to client ratio:

1:6

Fitness:

Good fitness

Ability:

Intermediate

Prerequisites:

Outdoor Rock Climbing Leader Course or equivalent experience.

Ages:

18 years old and up

Equipment:

Trad climbing equipment, ropes & group gear

Transportation:

Transport is not included, however this can be arranged for an additional $20.00 a day

Booking deadline:
n/a

Trad Climbing Intro Course

Course Description

This 14 lesson, 1 day accelerated program is designed to meet the needs of climbers with previous outdoor climbing experience or indoor lead climbing experience. You will learn the principles of trad climbing, the fundamentals of building traditional rock anchors and placing and removing your own gear for protection while you lead climb. You will also learn the basics of seconding multi-pitch rock trad climbs and the assessment and use of natural anchors such as trees and boulders. After the course, participants will have the skills to safely lead single pitch rock climbs.

At the same time, we cover all essentials, such as equipment, movement skills, outdoor climbing strategy, belaying and rappelling, safety protocols, hazard management, trad climbing terminology, trad route selection, trad climbing grades, and more. The result is a strong foundation that will permit rapid progress.
Trad climbing is not only an important aspect of climbing on its own but is also the foundation for alpine climbing.

In this fully comprehensive and fast paced course we have paid careful attention to include crucial trad climbing principles such as trad protection physics and SRENE (Solid, Redundant, Equalized, No Extension) placement/anchor criterion.

Participants can expect to build a strong foundation that will permit rapid progress of their trad climbing skill.

Course Itinerary

View logistics - Course Equipment, Accommodation, Food and Transportation options view logistics
Equipment List - What to bring?, what not to bring? We can answer those questions view equipment list

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Day one 8:00 orientation meeting at Beamers Coffee Shop in Canmore

Sign Waivers, Safety discussion and Backpack/Equipment check. Goals and Agenda.

Lesson 1 Equipment: Overview and fit for trad climbing equipment
Drive to local rock climbing area: Carpooling recommended when possible.
Lesson 2 Environment : Leave no trace and wildlife discussion.
Lesson 3 Onsite safety: Current hazards and safety protocols.
Lesson 4 Introduction to Trad Protection: Cams, nuts, pitons etc.
Lesson 5 Introduction to Trad terminology, principles and physics: direction of pull, passive vs. active, etc.
Lesson 6 How to place and remove different pieces of trad protection
Lesson 7 Building Anchors: Using the IDEALS & SRENE acronym for a solid anchor
Lesson 8 Building Anchors: Using appropriate soft materials for anchors
Lesson 9 Lead Climbing Strategies: Racking up for your lead
Lesson 10 Simulated Leads: Placing and removing protection on top rope
Lesson 11 Building and Assessing Anchors: When toping out on your trad climb
Lesson 12 Trad climbing multi-pitch seconding technique & considerations
Lesson 13 Natural anchors- assessment and use
Lesson 14 Trad leading session (for those with previous leading experience)
Lesson 15 Climbing: Professional Coaching and Application
Course debrief and next step recommendations.
Course Closure.
Day ends 1630

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Course Logistics

View Itinerary - A day by day summary of the course view itinerary
Equipment List - What to bring?, what not to bring? We can answer those questions view equipment list

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

Food is not included in this course. For your convenience, MSA offers several discounted meal packages at a great value. We have backcountry food preparation by Backcountry Bistro as well as agreements with several local Canmore and Banff coffee shops and restaurants. See Food.

Please make sure to pack a good lunch with plenty of high energy food and liquids including snacks.

Transportation

Transportation is not included in this course. You may add transportation for this course for $20.00 a day. For your convenience, MSA offers several discounted car rental packages with Enterprise Car Rental. See Transportation

Equipment

Traditional climbing equipment, ropes and group gear is included. Please bring your personal climbing equipment. We have loaner helmets should you not own your own.

Please view equipment list

Equipment List

View logistics - Course Equipment, Accommodation, Food and Transportation options view logistics
View Itinerary - A day by day summary of the course view itinerary

Clothing

During the summer months weather conditions are constantly changing. Be prepared for both hot or cold days and even rain. There are several rain protected climbing venues. So please dress according to the forecast for the course days.

Cliimbing pants or sweatpants work well
T-shirt
Mid layer fleece
Rain jacket
Puffy or warm jacket
Warm Hat and ballcap
Thin gloves for belaying
Sunglasses and sunscreen.
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots.
Dayback large enough to carry personal and group gear.

Equipment

Please bring your personal climbing equipment, including the following;

Rock shoes
Harness
Helmet
Belay device
Locking carabiner
Chalk bag
Hiking pole

Your instructor will also bring;

Sets of camming devices
Sets of Stoppers
Piton
Hammer
Nut tool
Other specific trad gear
Group first aid kit
Cell phone
Programmable Radio
Guides Tarp
2 X 60 Metre Ropes
Belay Devices- Gri-Gri
Anchor material
4 locking carabiiners
8 non lockers
12 quick draws

Food & Water

Please make sure to pack a good lunch with plenty of high energy food and liquids including snacks.

Other
n/a

Course Photographs

Fitness Explained

Good Fitness
In good general health- able to walk or ski for at least two hours at a slow pace (including breaks) in undulating terrain. Able to carry a light load (25lbs = 12 kilos).

Very Good Fitness
Exercise regularly (in gym, mountains, etc)- have fairly good cardio. Can walk or ski for several hours (including breaks) over several days in diverse mountain terrain at a moderate pace (including up hill and down hill). Able to carry a moderate load (35-45 lbs = 16- 20 kilos)

Peak Fitness
Follow a routine exercise schedule and may even be training for sports or expeditions. Excellent cardio and good stamina. Able to walk or ski all day at a moderate pace over several days in diverse mountain terrain including steeper uphill and downhill sections. Able to carry moderate loads of (35 to 55lbs = 25 kilos). You feel it would be reasonable for you to acclimatize on peaks.

Ability Explained

Introductory
Suitable for beginner level, no prior experience required.

Intermediate
You have previous experience and a good general knowledge of the sport.

Advanced
You have very good knowledge of the sport developed from regular practice.

Backcountry Skier Ability Level

Type I Beginner
Skis slowly and conservatively. Newer to backcountry skiing, links parallel turns and able to slide slip more difficult sections. Can stop when desired.

Type II Intermediate
Skis at a moderate pace. Links parallel turns in powder and can come to a full stop on demand. Able to handle varied snow conditions and terrain. Has no problem skiing in trees or negotiating short ski crux's (difficult sections).

Type III Advanced
Skis more aggressively, at higher speeds and able to ski advanced terrain. Can handle different snow conditions. Enjoys more technical terrain. No problem handling short cruxes and steeper sections.

Type IV Expert
Aggressive and fast, capable of skiing in all conditions. Able to negotiate difficult sections, ski in couloirs and prolonged steep terrain.

Course Schedule & Pricing


Scheduled Course Date	Course Price	Register	Inquire
June 21st, 2011	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
July 23rd, 2011	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
Please contact MSA directly for alternative dates with pre-organized groups	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire

Private Course Option
We also offer our students the option of a private course. Join a group of friends together, let us know your group size and preferred dates. See chart below for private course prices.

*Bonus! The group organizer will save 10%. Single private course also available.


Private Date Option	Course Price	Register	Inquire
4 People	$130.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
3 People	$172.00 +5% GST		Inquire
2 People	$255.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
1 Person	$425.00+ 5% GST		Inquire

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