ITINERARY

Day 1 

3-HOUR INDOOR TRAINING SESSION AT THE CALGARY CLIMBING CENTER - HANGAR LOCATION
 

**Please note this is not included in the price and this or a separate lead belay check must have been completed at a CCC gym near you before you can lead outdoors**

Visit - https://www.calgaryclimbing.com/programs/

In this 3hr session, you will cover the basics of lead climbing in the gym before hitting the rock outdoors. This session builds a solid foundation and helps to create a gentle transition into the outdoor climbing venue for the field day. You will learn different clipping techniques and understand how to belay with a GRIGRI as well as take part in a mock lead, live lead, and a series of practice falls.

Once you have completed this session, you may move to the outdoor program.

You'll learn the following during the indoor training session: 
 

• Finger and Thumb clipping
• Demonstrate the Clipping zone
• Identify incorrect clipping & how to correct it
• How to clip anchors
• Best practices for lead belaying
• Stacking rope and identifying potential damage to your cord
• Confidently and efficiently lead climb a route indoors 
• Demonstrate a live lead and practice lead falls
• Learn techniques for catching a live lead fall

Day 2 

FULL DAY OF OUTDOOR TRAINING - KANANASKIS, CANMORE, BANFF, OR LAKE LOUISE
 

During the Outdoor Training day, we'll be at a local crag in the Bow Valley, no more than an hour's drive from the town of Canmore. We begin with a discussion on learning how to recognize hazards present at the crags and dive into a gear and equipment discussion, then continuing onto building IDEAL multipoint anchors, mock leads, anchor cleaning, and then live leads for those ready to give it a roll. Generally, there is plenty of time to repeat the entire process of selecting a route, leading, cleaning, rinse, and repeat to help engrain the new skill sets before the day wraps up. 

What you will learn in the outdoor training session:
 

• Learn to ID specific hazards associated with outdoor sport climbing and tactics to mitigate the risk associated with them
• Discussion on the strengths and limitations of all equipment used, and its correct application
• Learn to build IDEAL multi-point anchors (ground training)
• Learn to clean (retrieve) your IDEAL anchors (ground training)
• Learn to build quickdraw (low-use) anchors (ground training)
• Learn best practices for lead belaying a climber outdoors using a GRIGRI
• Learn to correctly place quickdraws
• Plenty of "mock-lead" practice before the main event
• Build your first anchors live and at height
• Clean your first anchors live and at height
• Learn to put the complete skill set together: select and lead your first pitches of outdoor sport climbing

Logistics

Logistics to consider ahead of your Outdoor Lead Lesson Course:

• ACCOMMODATION:

  Most students find it best to drive out to join us the morning of the Outdoor Training day. However, if you're looking to get a little closer to our field day location beforehand, we would suggest the following accommodation options in Canmore, Banff & Lake Louise.
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    CANADIAN ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL
     

• TRIP FOOD & MEAL PROGRAMS:

  • Students are responsible for their own meals during both the indoor and outdoor components of the Outdoor Lead Lesson.
     

• TRANSPORTATION: 

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation on the course.
     

• NATIONAL PARK ENTRY PASSES: 

  • Students are responsible for obtaining a National Park entry pass for their field days if required (Banff National Park) or to have their vehicle registered for a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

The following is a Gear, Clothing, and Equipment list. You will be required to arrive with these items on course. Feel free to bring as much of your own gear and equipment as you would like to review and use on the course.

• Water Bottle or Collapsible Water Bladder (1L)
• Rock Shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen (min. SPF 50+)
• Camera, batteries, memory cards & accessories (optional)
• Daypack (at minimum, 1 x 35-40L backpack. In addition, a 30L option may be appropriate for some days)

*NOTE* - All technical equipment not listed above such as harness, belay devices, quickdraws, ropes, slings etc. will be packed out and provided by us for you on your program. Feel free to bring as much of your own gear to use as you'd like, and your Guide will review it with you when you arrive on the course.

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

• Jacket
• Gore-Tex Jacket (for wet weather days only)
• Gore-Tex Pant (for wet weather days only)
• Buff Style Neck Tube / Headband
• Sun Hat (ball cap or full brim bucket style)
• Thin Insulated Gloves (multiple pairs [3 min] for rope work)
• Approach Shoes or Trail Runners (no need for heavy hiking boots, unless specifically requested by your Guide based on route or seasonal conditions)

OTHER

• Lunch 
• Water

OPTIONAL

• Camp chair

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. 

Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests. 

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.

Is this coverage required?

• For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
• For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision. 

    REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking TErms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling, credit forward, refund exemptions etc.

    REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Book A PRIVATE GROUP Outdoor Lead Lesson

For those who prefer our smallest and most focused learning environments. Private Groups can book on course dates that suit you and your crew best, and one of our ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guides will join you on your terms. You pick the Group Size, along with a Field Day venue and date outside those listed on the calendar.

How Do We Book It?

Contact our office to confirm availability for your preferred dates. We'll provide you with a private booking link for you and your group to register either together or individually.