ITINERARY

3 FULL DAYS OF OUTDOOR TRAINING - CANMORE, BANFF, AND KANANASKIS COUNTRY

During During the Outdoor Training days, we’ll be exploring different local crags in the Bow Valley, no more than an hour’s drive from the town of Canmore.

DAY 1

7+ HOUR TRAINING SESSION - OUTDOOR LEAD LESSON

Our training Day 1 will focus 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. Skill sets learned on and included in Day 1 are:

• 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

DAY 2

7+ HOUR TRAINING SESSION - ADVANCED LEAD CLIMBING

Our training Day 2 will be about advancing your lead climbing skills, with more repetition and training for the lessons learned on Day 1, along with advanced movement skills clinic and coaching. In addition, we’ll cover rappelling, top-rope anchor setup, and how to evaluate different anchors you might encounter at single-pitch sport crags such as common point, quad, and sliding X. Skill sets learned on and included in Day 2 are:

• Select and lead appropriate climbs at a new single-pitch rock climbing crag
• Continued live leads and “mock leads” according to your needs
• Rinse and Repeat lessons from Day 1 both at height and as ground training as needed
• Advanced movement skills clinic paired with coaching
• Learn to rappel and ID specific hazards associated with rappelling
• Learn to build top-rope anchor setups and when to use them Learn how to evaluate different anchors typically encountered at single-pitch sport crags such as common point, quad, and sliding X

DAY 3

7+ HOUR TRAINING SESSION - ROCK RESCUE FOR SINGLE-PITCH SPORT CLIMBING

Our Training Day 3 will focus on learning essential rock rescue systems relevant to single-pitch sport climbing crags. Skill sets learned on and included in Day 3 are:

• Review steps and procedures for initiating an external response from professional rescue teams (National Parks / Alberta Parks Visitor Safety Teams)
• Discuss potential hazards and the inevitable increases in risk levels tied to responding to an incident yourself
• Learn to recognize where these hazards exist and to consider the acceptability of these increases in risk levels to you as the rescuer.
• Review a variety of belay methods (direct anchor belay, redirected belay, fixed point belay)
• Learn to “escape the belay” by transferring the victim/load directly to an anchor above, freeing you from the system
• Learn a variety of raise/hauling systems (3:1 Direct Haul as a baseline)
• Learn a variety of lowering methods with backups/failsafes
• Learn tandem rappel and carry techniques to manage and descend with either conscious or unconscious victims as well as with kids specifically
• Learn the counterbalance rappel - a method for descending short distances while "carrying" a victim
• Arriving at your victim: defining your priorities (first aid? build an anchor?)

Logistics

Logistics to consider ahead of your Outdoor Sport Lead Climbing Course:

• ACCOMMODATION:

  Most students find it best to drive out to join us the morning of the course days. 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 Sport Lead Climbing 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) as well as 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

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. 

Acera 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 Acera Insurance.

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 SPORT LEAD CLIMBING 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.