Preparing for Sport Leading and Rappelling Outdoors | Ontario
Sport Lead Climbing and Rappelling
Course Itinerary:
8:30am:
Ontario clients will meet the instructor at the Lower Parking Lot, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. ( You may ask the park attendant for directions when you pay the $6.50 entrance fee at the gate.)
BC clients will meet the instructyor at the parking lot of Squamish Adventure Centre (38551 Loggers Lane.)
• Formal introductions, sign waivers, safety discussion and equipment check.
• Lesson 1 Environment: Leave no trace; climbing access (code of ethics).
• Lesson 2 Safety: Objective and subjective hazards.
• Lesson 3 Introduction to sport leading concept, procedure and process.
• Review: Top-rope climbing, belaying, terminology and communication (optional).
• Lesson 4 Introduction to lead belaying: using ATC and/or Grigri.
• Lesson 5 Lead climbing demonstration.
• Lesson 6 Clipping quickdraws to anchors: risk factors and solutions.
• Lesson 7 Clipping rope to quickdraws: clipping techniques; common mistakes - back clipping and z-clipping.
• Lesson 8 Preparing to lead: racking up quickdraws, stacking the rope, belayer position, rope placement.
• Lesson 9 Mock lead climbing: spotting, belaying, leading, communication, lowering, cleaning a route.
• Lesson 10 Setting up for top roping.
• Lesson 11 Cleaning anchors and setting up for lowering.
• Lesson 12 Cleaning anchors and setting up for rappelling.
• Lesson 13 Rappelling with a backup: prusik knot or fireman's belay.
• Lesson 14 Lowering vs. rappelling: pros and cons.
• Lesson 15 Anchor assessment: bolts, hangers, pitons, cold shuts, chains, links, etc.
• Lesson 16 Falling properly: avoiding falling upside down - rope position and body position; body position during a fall; avoding rock hazards in a fall.
• Lesson 17 Stick clipping.
• Lesson 18 Problem solving: escaping from mid route, route longer than half length of the rope,etc. (optional).
• Lesson 19 Multi-pitch lead climbing and belaying the seconder from the top on a ledge or hanging belay (optional).
• Lesson 20 Multi-pitch seconding and belaying the lead from a ledge or hanging belay (optional).
• Lesson 21 Multi-pitch rappel basics (optional).
• Lesson 22 Discussion on Lion's Head climbing strategy (optional).
• Lesson 23 Course review and debrief (optional).
5:30pm: End of the course without the Multi-pitch Option.
7:30pm: End of the course including the Multi-pitch Option.
Rattlesnake Point Facility Information:
Address: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON L9T 2Y1. GPS Coordinates: 43.471 -79.913
Driving Directions:-
From Hwy 401, take Hwy 25 south to Steeles Avenue, head west on Steeles to Appleby Line, drive south on Appleby Line for 3 km
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From Q.E.W, take Appleby Line north; 1 km north of Derry Road on top of the escarpment
There is a water tap and an outhouse near the Lower Parking Lot. The hike from the parking lot to the cliff is about 5 minutes. The cliff is 70 to 90 feet high.
Smoke Bluffs Park Facility Information:
Address: 38551 Loggers Ln, Squamish, British Columbia.
The park is about 200m from the above address, which is where the Squamish Adventure Centre located. There is washroom facilities in the centre which hosts Tourism Squamish. The hike from the parking lot to the nearest cliff is about 15 minutes. The cliff is 70 to 90 feet high.
Equipment:
Please bring your gear to the course, so you can practice with them and become comfortable and confident to use them. If you don't have the following equipment, please let us know after you receive confirmation of your registration from us. We will bring them for you to use free of charge.
- rock shoes
- harness
- helmet
- belay device
- locking biners
- climbing rope
- quick draws
Personal Preparation:
Weather Kit - Sun lotion, mosquito repellent, sun glasses, rain jacket in case it rains.
Clothing - loose fitting clothing made of synthetic materials for easy movement and quick dry; hiking/walking shoes or boots for walking on uneven ground. Put your jewelry and artificial finger/toe nails away. Pull your long hair back to avoid potential interference with rappelling and climbing.
Food & Water - Pack your lunch and water in your daypack.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Q: Is your company insured?
A: Yes.
Q: Is the instructor certified?
A: Yes. Your lead instructor is certified by American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), or Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or, by Zen Climb through its vigorous certification process that includes practice teaching with real clients in addition to a series of training courses based on the standard practice of AMGA or ACMG.
Q: Will you recommend what gear I will need to sport lead on my own?
A: Yes. Throughout the course, we will help you identify what gear you will need to complete your gear set.