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Rock I
Outdoor Rock Climbing

Beginner climbers will appreciate the 2 full days of instruction and extra time to practice their skills on this intro outdoor rock climbing course. With 26 years of experience teaching rock climbing to beginners you can be assured that this course will give you all that you are looking for - and more!

An intensive two days are spent on the rock learning and practicing climbing techniques, belay systems, rope management, anchor principles and rappelling. A theory session discussing equipment, safety procedures, knots and principles of rock climbing precedes the practical session and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of climbing.

Dates Cost Prerequisites Location
Guides Itinerary Equipment Logistics
Related programs Registration

Dates
March *27, 29-30, 2008
April *10, 12-13, 2008
May *1, 3-4, 2008
May *22, 24-25, 2008
June *5, 7-8, 2008
June *5, 9-10, 2008 mid-week
June *18, 21-22, 2008
July *3, 5-6, 2008
July *22, 26-27, 2008
August *6, 9-10, 2008
August *6, 12-13, 2008 mid-week
August *26, 30-31, 2008
September *10, 13-14, 2008

All dates marked with an asterisk (*) are evening seminars held in Vancouver. If you cannot attend these sessions, please notify our office in order to make alternate arrangements to cover the required pre-trip material, including logistics.
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Cost
$ 225. + gst
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(all technical gear and climbing shoes provided)
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Prerequisites
No previous climbing experience necessary - just a desire to learn!
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Location
The Rock I course has one evening session held in advance of the field portion. This evening session is held at 47 West Broadway in Vancouver, BC. The field sessions are conducted in Squamish, BC. Squamish is located approx. 1 hour by highway north of Vancouver. Participants will be responsible for getting to and from both the evening session and Squamish.
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Guides and Instructors
All the Instructors on our Rock Climbing programs are Certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and are among the top Climbing instructors and guides in British Columbia. We ensure that you are being taught and guided by the best! For more details on the specific Instructors/Guides for your program, contact our office.
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Objectives
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Equipment list for Rock I
The following personal equipment is required:
  • Footwear - lightweight hiking shoes for approaches to the climbing sites. Please avoid using sandals.
  • Day-pack (big enough to hold all your gear plus climbing ropes and equipment)
  • Outer layer rain jacket - Gore-Tex style
  • Comfortable clothing for climbing outdoors in a variety of weather conditions (no jeans)
  • Sunglasses
  • Fleece jacket/sweater
  • Sunscreen
  • Personal 1st aid (blister kit, medications, etc.)
  • Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
  • Drink bottles - minimum 1 litre
Technical equipment
(supplied by CWMS but bring your own if you have it)
  • Climbing harness - seat harness only
  • Helmet
  • Rock climbing shoes
  • 3 locking carabiners
  • 1 belay device
  • 1 descender
All other technical equipment supplied by CWMS:
  • Ropes, anchor material, climbing rack, hardware, etc.

  • Please go over this list before the course to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent if needed. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors and that the weather can vary from one extreme to the other. The course will be conducted regardless of weather conditions, so prepare for anything!

    Please also bring a lunch and drinks, as you will not be able to return to your vehicle or local restaurant for lunch.

    Here are a few stores in the lower mainland region that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment. If you need to purchase or rent equipment, please contact the store well in advance of the course to ensure that what you require is available!

    Altus Mountain Gear
    137 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-876-5255 (rentals available)
    Climb On Equipment
    Squamish 604-892-2243
    Coast Mountain Sports
    2201 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver 604-731-6181
    Park Royal store - West Vancouver 604 926-6126
    Mountain Equipment Co-op www.mec.ca
    130 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-872-7858 (rentals available)
    1341 Main St, N. Vancouver 604-990-4417 (rentals available) Valhalla Pure
    Station Square, Squamish 604-892-9092 (rentals available)
    3 Vets
    2200 Yukon Street, Vancouver 604-872-5475
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    Logistics and transportation
    The Rock I course is separated into 2 individual field days, plus one evening session in advance of the field days.

    The evening session is held at 47 West Broadway in Vancouver on the date marked with an asterisk (*). Each field day is held in Squamish, BC. Participants are required to arrange their own transportation to and from the evening session and to and from Squamish for the field sessions. Start times for the field sessions are at 8 am in Squamish, with each day wrapping up between 4 and 5 pm. Contact our office for specific meeting locations in Squamish.
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    Related Programs
    Rock II - Anchors and rope systems
    Rock III - Lead Climbing
    Rock Rescue
    Guided Rock ascents

    Please contact the Canada West Mountain School office by phone or email directly for more details.
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    Canada West Mountain School
    47 West Broadway
    Vancouver, BC
    V5Y 1P1

    Information/registration please call: 604-878-7007
    Toll free in North America: 1-888-892-2266

    E-mail CWMS

    This page last updated on January 14, 2008 9:39 PM