Multi Pitch Ice Climbing Course

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Day one 7:00 meeting at Gear Up Sports for those who need rentals  
7:30 Meeting at Beamers Cafe

 

• Meet at Gear Up Rentals in Canmore (click for map to Gear Up) 
  
• Sign Waivers and safety discussion.
• Lesson 1 Equipment: multi-pitch equipment check
• Lesson 2 How to choose an appropriate ice climbing route: use weather & avalanche forecasts and the Parks Canada ATES Scale
• Drive: Carpooling is recommended when possible.
• Lesson 3 Environment: Leave no trace and wildlife discussion.
• Lesson 4 Onsite safety: Current hazards, safety protocols and situational awareness.
• Lesson 5 Equipment: Intro to multi-pitch ice specific equipment.
• Ice climbing warm up: Practice the MSA iceXpert ice climbing technique.
• Lesson 6 Rappelling Technique with back up prussic/fireman belay.
• Lesson 7 Anchor quality and testing of v-threads etc.
• Lesson 8 Multi-pitch demo and practice.
• Lesson 9 Mock multi-pitch climb and rappel descent.
• Lesson 10 Mock multi-pitch climb, belay stance, rappel descent testing backing up anchors.
• Lesson 11 Multi-pitch skill evaluation.
• Evening homework: Evaluate next days Weather & CAA Avalanche Forecast.
• Evening homework: Given the forecast, choose an appropriate route - use Parks Canada ATES Scale
   

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Day two 7:00 meeting at Beamers Coffee Shop Canmore 

 

• Morning Meeting: Coffee or tea, review, Q & A session, todays agenda, equipment check. 
• Evaluate participants route selection and forecast. 
• Drive: Drive to local area.
• Safety: Review current hazards and safety protocols and situational awareness for multi-pitch ice
• Lesson 12 Mentoring day: climbing up and descending a multi-pitch route.
• Day debrief
• Evening homework: Evaluate next days Weather & CAA Avalanche Forecast.
• Evening homework: Given the forecast, choose an appropriate route - use Parks Canada ATES Scale

 

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Day three 7:00 meeting at Beamers Coffee Shop Canmore 




• Morning Meeting: Coffee or tea, Revue, Q & A session, Days agenda, equipment check.
• Evaluate participants’ route selection and forecast.
  
• Drive: Drive to Local area.
  
• Safety: Review current hazards and safety protocols- situational awareness- Multi-pitch ice
  
• Lesson 13 Participants either lead up within their comfort level and capability or are led up a multi-pitch ice route.
  
• Lesson 14 Multi-pitch master ascent system instruction- Participant may lead poritons of ascent.
  
• Lesson 14 Multi-pitch Master descnt system instruction - Participant may lead the descent.
  
• 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