Sport Lead Rock Climbing

• Description

  Sport lead climbing is a natural progression for many climbers who started climbing indoors. This is the perfect transition course if you are coming from an indoor climbing background, or for people with solid top rope climbing skills outdoors.

• Location

  The Sport Lead climbing course is conducted in Squamish, BC, located approximately 1 hour by highway north of Vancouver. Participants will be responsible for getting to and from Squamish each day.

  The course meets at the Squamish Adventure Centre, located on the East side of Highway 99 just past the entrance to downtown Squamish. The climbing sites we use are in the Smoke Bluffs Park, all within a short walking distance of the Adventure Centre. You will meet your group at 0800, unless otherwise instructed.

  Squamish Adventure Centre Map:
  

• Guides/Instructors

  Our Squamish Sport Lead Climbing programs are taught by some of the best climbers and Guides in Canada. All are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and each one has a passion for teaching that will inspire you in your climbing pursuits.

  Visit Guides and Instructors Page for complete details and background on each of our Guide Team.

• Itinerary

  

  Our Sport Lead Climbing courses start at 0800 with a meeting of the climbing team and your guide. You will spend about 30 minutes going over course objectives, introductions, planning the day, and finishing paperwork, then you will head directly to the climbing site.

  DAY-1
  The full day is spent learning and practicing skills specific to leading Sport climbing routes
  • route selection and site safety
  • belaying a lead climber
  • proper clipping techniques and tips
  • how to fall and understanding fall forces
  • anchor threading, cleaning and lowering
  • rappelling
  • guide book interpretation

  Throughout the course you will have ample opportunity to practice the skills you are learning. With our low instructor to student ratio, you will benefit from direct and instant feedback from your Instructor.

• Equipment

  For the Sport Lead climbing course, you will require standard personal climbing equipment. As a minimum, please plan on bringing your own harness, climbing shoes, helmet, belay device, and a locking carabiner. If you have any other of your own climbing equipment, please also bring this along as well, we encourage people to learn and practice with their own gear.

  Canada West Mountain School will supply all other ropes, anchor systems, lead climbing equipment, and safety gear.

  For clothing and other supplies, please come prepared for any conditions, including rain and wind. This is an outdoor course and all skills can be safely taught in most conditions, including rain showers. In the event that the weather forecast is deemed too severe to run the course (electrical storms, heavy rain warnings, etc.) our Guides will notify the participants in advance. Due to the ever-changing nature of weather, this decision may not be made until 24 hours before the course start. If you do not hear from Canada West Mountain School staff or Guides before your course, please plan on arriving at the scheduled meeting location and time.

  Here is a basic gear list for your reference and planning - Canada West Mountain School Rock Climbing Course Gear List

• FAQ's

  Questions about Squamish Sport Lead Climbing course

  Do I need to bring special gear?

  Participants on the Lead climbing courses are required to bring their own harness, CE approved climbing helmet, rock climbing shoes and belay device w/locking carabiner. Canada West Mountain School will supply all other rock climbing safety equipment and lead-climbing gear - ropes, anchor materials, lead rack, protection, etc. If you do have any lead gear of your own, please bring it so you can practice with your own equipment.

  Here is a basic gear list for your reference and planning - Canada West Mountain School Rock Climbing Course Gear List

  Is Sport Lead Climbing safe?

  Sport Climbing is a very safe sport when conducted properly, but there are inherent risks involved in all climbing activities. Lead Climbing involves climbing without a "top-rope" system to protect the climber who is "leading". This exposes the Lead climber to a greater risk of injury in the event that he or she takes a fall. We cannot guarantee that a climber on our program will be free of risk, though our ACMG trained and certified Guides will follow best practices to ensure that you are as safe as possible. Just like driving a car, there are rules and safety precautions that must be followed and our Guides are here to teach you the safest methods and techniques to ensure you can pursue climbing as a safe recreational sport for as long as you wish!

  How long will the course last?

  All Sport Lead courses start at 8 am and will usually wrap up by 4:30. If the weather is unusually hot, we might ask students to start at 7 am and climb during the cooler morning hours.

  Will the Sport Lead climbing course run if it is raining?

  This is a course in outdoor climbing skills and all techniques and skills can taught in all weather, including rain showers. Our Sport Lead climbing course focuses on many skills and topics that can be thoroughly (and safely) covered in most conditions and do not require a rain-free environment.

  In the event that the weather forecast is deemed too severe to run the course (electrical storms, heavy rain warnings, etc) our Guides will notify the participants in advance. Due to the ever-changing nature of weather, this decision may not be made until 24 hours before the course start. If you do not hear from Canada West Mountain School staff or Guides before your course, please plan on arriving at the scheduled meeting location and time.

  Can I bring my dog on the course?

  We love dogs as well (most of our Guides also have dogs!) but this course is not the best environment to have the pooches around. Sorry, but we cannot accept students of the canine variety.

• Links, Documents and Paperwork

  Complete the required Waiver and Medical disclosure form in advance of the field session. Click on the link and navigate to your specific course and date:
  • Canada West Mountain School Waiver and Medical disclosure form

   

  Review the CWMS cancellation and transfer policy:
  • Canada West Mountain School Refund/transfer Policy