We use a systematic approach to introduce and refine 14 critical outdoor rock climbing lessons.

• Climbing equipment and its use
• Outdoor climbing safety and hazard management
• Knots
• Belaying and safely tying into the rope
• Rock climbing terminology and commands
• Rock climbing movement
• Rope management
• Anchor building and assessment
• Top-rope set up
• Rappelling skills
• Threading the anchor for lowering
• Route selection and climbing grades

Our goal is to ensure that all participants will build a strong foundation to allow for ultimate safety, excellent technique, and a rapid progression. We use a fully comprehensive curriculum that has been developed by leading, certified rock climbing guides.

The course is run over a full day, with a low student to guide ratio and with your guide following our carefully crafted curriculum and lesson plan. This ensures each participant receives the full curriculum, coaching and personalized instruction.

If you wish to include exposure to trad climbing basics, as well as get more practice with all of this course’s skills, you should consider our 2-day Intro to Outdoor Rock Course.

You can take comfort in knowing that our instructors are certified guides and instructors who possess a great depth of experience, excel at their trade, and that Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures is the Sea to Sky corridor’s longest established and most trusted local mountain school!

8:15am: Meet your guide at Squamish Adventure Centre.

The guide will have everyone sign a waiver before having a safety discussion and performing a gear check. They will then discuss the day's objectives and lesson plan.

4:30pm: The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a debrief, discussion of the course and next step recommendations.

Rentals/Purchase:

If you require rentals or need to purchase equipment, we have teamed up with the experts at the Escape Route Alpine Demo Centre. Follow the link HERE to purchase or rent gear for this course!

Instructor provides group equipment:

• Ropes
• Anchor building equipment

Individual Equipment:

• Rock climbing shoes
• Harness
• Helmet
• Belay device (with 1 locking carabiner)
• Prusik 1.5-1.7m, 7mm
• Anchor building equipment (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners & 120cm or 240cm sling)
• Chalk bag

The above gear can be purchased from MEC, Climb On (37873 Cleveland Ave, Squamish) or Escape Route (40222 Glenalder Pl, Squamish).

Clothing (Plan ahead, check the weather forecast, and dress accordingly):

• Climbing pants (light pants that allow maximum mobility)
• T-shirt
• Mid layer fleece or wool top
• Weatherproof shell jacket
• Down or synthetic insulating “puffy” jacket
• Warm hat
• Light gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Approach shoes
• Daypack 25-35L

It is beneficial to practice using your own equipment under the supervision of a professional.

Topics Covered:

• Equipment and Use
• On site safety
• Rock climbing terminology and commands
• Essential climbing knots
• Rock Climbing Movement
• Belaying and safely tying into the rope
• Rope management
• Anchors
• Top-rope set up
• Threading the anchor
• Climbing grades
• Route selection

Click HERE for the full curriculum