Untitled Document

Outdoor Lead Climbing Course
Register for course

Course Rundown

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included.

Food

Food is not included.

Course Cost:
$125.00 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:

Introductory

Prerequisites:

Outdoor Rock Climbing Course or equivalent experience.

Ages:

15 years old and up

Equipment:

Equipment is not included however loaner helmets are available.

Transportation:

Transport is not included however this can be arranged for an additional $20.00 per day.

Booking deadline:
n/a

Outdoor Lead Climbing Course

Course Description

An essential 15 lesson course which teaches all the required skills for leading bolted sport climbing routes, including route choice, guidebook use, terminology, equipment needs, commands, safety, hazard management, leading strategies, anchors, lowering vs. rappelling, how to safely fall and several other important lessons and pointers from your highly qualified instructor.

Outdoor leading requires many special considerations. The first bolt may be far from the ground requiring a stick-clip technique, the route may be longer than half the rope length meaning one can not be lowered down from the anchor, knowing how to take a fall properly can avoid injury, even how you clip the rope into the draw can make all the difference. MSA understands this and in our usual pursuit for quality, we have designed a fully comprehensive one-day leader course. Utilizing our cutting edge instruction technique, very low client to guide ratio and a comprehensive curriculum, each participant is able to build a strong lead climbing foundation. After taking this course participants can expect to be able to show up at any crag in the world to lead with safety and confidence.

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 Gear Up Sports
• Meet at Gear Up Rentals in Canmore sign waivers, safety discussion and backpack/equipment check.
• Lesson 1 Equipment: Fit for climbing shoes, harness, helmet
• Drive to local area: Carpooling recommended when possible.
• Lesson 2 Environment : Leave no trace and wildlife discussion.
• Lesson 3 On site safety: Current hazards and safety protocols.
• Lesson 4 Introduction to different anchors and assessing anchor/bolt quality
• Lesson 5 Top roping/mock leading: Top roping to prepare for your first lead
• Review Tying In: Figure 8 knot
• Review Belaying: Top rope belaying
• Review climbing commands: Proper terminology and communication with your climbing partner
• Lesson 6: How to rack up for leading
• Lesson 7 Lead belaying demonstration: How to lead belay using a belay tube
• Lesson 8 Lead climbing demonstration
• Lesson 9 Preparing the lead: belayer placement, rope placement, stick-clipping and spotting
• Lesson 10 Clipping and Un-clipping techniques for leading and cleaning routes
• Lesson 11 Lowering vs Rappelling: Using belay devices, system checks and safety
• Lesson 12 How to Clean a Route: Securing yourself to the anchor, cleaning the anchor, system checks and safety, retrieving quickdraws
• Lesson 13 Learning to fall
• Lesson 14 Leading strategy
• Lesson 15 Leading problem solving: i.e: route longer than half rope, escape from mid route, etc.
• Course debrief and next step recommendations.
• Course Closure.
• Day ends 1700

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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

All the equipment you will need is included in this course: rock shoes, harness, helmet, belay device, chalk bag and locking carabiner. If you own your own equipment, we would suggest bringing it, as it will be the best fit and it is good to be famliar with it. Your instructor will bring the rest such as the rope, quickdraws, anchor material, etc.

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

If you own your own equipment, including a rope, we highly reccomend that you use it as it will be the best fit and you should be familiar with it

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

Your instructor will also bring;

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 20th, 2011	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
July 4th, 2011	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
Please contact MSA directly for alternative dates with pre-organized groups	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
n/a	$125.00 + 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	$125.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
3 People	$167.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
2 People	$250.00 + 5% GST		Inquire
1 Person	$425.00 + 5% GST		Inquire

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