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
• 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

All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document in advance of programming, 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

   CALGARY CLIMBING CENTRE OUTDOOR WAIVER OF LIABILITY

Booking terms & conditions

  IMPORTANT:

When you book this program, you are booking directly with The Calgary Climbing Centre. Any booking on the Outdoor Rock Climbing Series Programs will be governed only by the Booking Terms & Conditions in place at The Calgary Climbing Centre. The Cloud Nine Guides standard Booking Terms & Conditions will not apply. Any rebooking of programs, cancellations, refunds or request for credit must be made with The Calgary Climbing Centre directly. 

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THE CALGARY CLIMBING CENTRE OUTDOORS - TERMS & CONDITIONS

This is an ADULT Lesson.

You must be 18 years or older to attend. If you are not 18 years or older, please contact the Calgary Climbing Centre Hanger at 587-230-0189 for alternatives.

The Calgary Climbing Centre Outdoors (CCCO) is committed to offering you a great outdoor experience in the Rocky Mountains. We understand that weather and mountain conditions can be (at best) unpredictable, but we always strive to offer a great experience and opportunity for learning, regardless of the conditions.

Regardless of conditions, on the day of your course, participants must be at the climbing venue on time to discuss the options available. Often there are several weather systems between the city and the venue, and although (for example) it may be snowing in Calgary, it might also be warm and dry at the venue. In the event of extreme weather conditions that may affect the instructors’ ability to offer a safe course, we reserve the right to cancel a course at any time.

Advance Cancellations: We will contact you by phone and process a full refund immediately to cancel a course prior to the date of the course (no later than 9pm the day before). 

Day of Cancellations: If the course was to be cancelled at the venue due to weather, the participants present would receive a full refund. On your course day, If you choose not to be present at the venue, we will not issue a credit or refund.

Participant Rescheduling: We will accept rescheduling requests and cancellations of course registration up to 7 days before the course start time. You will be charged a $50 administration fee if you cancel or reschedule a course.

Book a Private Outdoor Rock Rescue 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 with one of our ACMG IFMGA Mountain or Rock Guides.

How Do We Book It?

Please contact The Calgary Climbing Centre - Hangar Location directly. Please reference that you have been directed to them by our team at Cloud Nine Guides, and request details for private programming. 

The Calgary Climbing Centre - Hangar Location:
Phone: +1-587-230-0189