WOMEN'S Intro to SPORT CLIMBING & LEADING
The Women’s Rock Climbing Series is a program designed for women looking for a pressure-free environment to progress in the rock climbing. Learn from the best female and male guides in the area, with support, patience and a wealth of experience.
Join one of our Professionally Certified ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) guides and let them share their passion for this sport.
Visit our Guides Page to find out more about your guide.
Book online or contact our office to ask any questions: 1-604-938-9242 or info@mountainskillsacademy.com
COURSE INFORMATION
Our one day Sport Leading course was specifically designed to enable female climbers to safely progress in the discipline of Sport Climbing.
Your guide will use a customized lesson plan and systematic approach to introduce and refine the critical rock climbing lessons specific to sport climbing throughout the day.
- Review climbing equipment and its use
- Outdoor climbing safety and hazard management
- Knots
- Review tying in to the rope & belaying
- Rock climbing terminology and commands
- Rock climbing movement
- Rope management
- Anchor building and assessment using bolts
- Top-rope set up
- Rappelling skills
- Threading the anchor for lowering
- Mock leading
- Route selection and climbing grades
- Overall skills practice, coaching and refinement
With this course our goal is to ensure that all participants are able to independently begin sport climbing by building a strong foundation to allow for ultimate safety, excellent technique, and a rapid progression.
As you progress in the future, you may consider our excellent Intro to Multi-Pitch & Intro to Trad courses to enjoy the multi-pitch routes Squamish is famous for. The Squamish Chief is home to many of North America’s best multi-pitch trad routes. Consider also taking the Rock Rescue course to learn essential rope rescue systems.
8:30am: Meet your guide at Cheakamus Canyon Climbing site.
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.
Individual Equipment:
- Rock climbing shoes
- Harness
- Helmet
- Belay device (with 1 locking carabiner)
- Prusik 1.5-1.7m length, 7mm width
- 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).
If you do not have any climbing gear you can rent a Rock Climbing Essentials package for $5.00.
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/hiking shoes
- Daypack 25-35L
Topics Covered:
- Equipment and use
- On site safety
- Rock climbing terminology and commands
- Essential climbing knots
- Safely tying into the rope and belaying
- Rope management
- Rock climbing movement and climbing hold terminology
- Anchors
- Top-rope set up
- Threading the anchor – lowering & rappels
- Leading sport routes (mock leads and if appropriate, leading)
- Route selection
The important details:
Season: May – October
Duration: 1 Day (8:30am – 4:30pm)
Location: Squamish
Max Ratio: 6 Clients to 1 Guide
Prerequisites: Experience in setting up & cleaning top rope anchors.
Minimum Age: 16 yrs
Discount: After completion all students will receive a 10% discount on the following course they book with MSAA.
BOOK COURSE:
Public: $175 per person | Private: $649 per group up to 6
NEXT STEPS
WOMEN'S ROCK RESCUE
As a climber, one needs to be self-sufficient in a high angle climbing environment and rope rescue skills are critical.
FEAR OF FALLING CLINIC
The mental aspect of climbing is not covered during a course, especially when it comes to lead climbing or multi-pitch climbing.