ITINERARY

Day 1

7+ HOUR TRAINING SESSION - SYSTEMS TRAINING

Our training Day 1 will focus on learning how to recognize hazards associated with multi-pitch environments, systems required for building and transitioning at multi-pitch anchors, route finding, techniques for belaying from above your partner(s), technical descents and rappel systems, rope and belay station management, and efficiency tactics, all tied together with the opportunity to apply these new skills on 2-pitch (mini) multi-pitch routes as your Guide moves and coaches alongside you and your co-students. Skill sets learned on and included in Day 1 are:

• Intro to Hazard Identification in Multi-Pitch Environments
• Appropriate Route Selection during & post-course
• Anchor Construction for Multi-Pitch Climbing
• Fall Factors, Impact Force Management
• Direct Anchor Belays (for belaying a 2nd)
• Fixed Point Belays (belaying a leader directly from an anchor)
• Redirected Belays (for managing lateral approaches to an anchor above)
• Reading arrival and exit directions to and from anchors at transitions
• Anchor and rope management to increase efficiency / reduce risk at transitions.
• Technical descents including both lowers and rappel systems
• Apply all above skills with coaching and feedback on multiple short (but live) 2-pitch routes as your Guide coaches from alongside your rope team

Day 2 

7+ HOUR TRAINING SESSION - LIVE MULTI-PITCH ROUTE ASCENT

Day 2 will provide students the opportunity to apply newly learned skills in a live ascent of a bolt-protected multi-pitch route. Note that the goal of the day is not to push or to be challenged by technical grades, but consolidate the newly learned skill sets . Your Guides will collaborate with you by observing your movement skills on Day 1 and suggest a route for Day 2, which is well within your technical ability. Our intention will be to ensure that the technical grade of our Day 2 multi-pitch route is such that its physical and mental difficulties take very little of your bandwidth - it should feel easy. This ensures that your focus doesn't narrow, reducing the capacity to maintain broad situational awareness as we apply a number of new and more technical skill sets. Routes we often use for the ascent include: 

• The Rundlehorn - 5.5 / 7 pitches
• Aftonroe - 5.7 / 7 pitches
• Plutonian Shores - 5.9 / 8 pitches
• Valley View - 5.9 / 6 pitches
• Hot Fuzz & Sharknado - 5.7/8 / 3 pitches 

Logistics

Logistics to consider ahead of your Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing Systems Course:

• ACCOMMODATION:

  Most students find it easiest to drive out to join us the morning of the course days. However, if you're looking to start a little closer to our field day locations 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 the Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing Systems Course.
     

• 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 with 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 min.)
• Rock Shoes
• Chalk bag*
• Harness*
• 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 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.

ITEMS ON REQUEST - Items above noted with an (*) are available on request for your course.

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

• Softshell 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

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 MULTI-PITCH ROCK SYSTEMS COURSE

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.