Outdoor Climbing Courses

Rock Novice

Are you ready to take your climbing skills to new heights? Cliffhanger’s Level 1 program will get you there! You’ll learn how to build your own top-rope anchors, rappel and safely climb outdoors. Our ACMG Certified Rock Guides take care of the logistics, and provide a fun and informative introduction to outdoor climbing. We’ll have you planning your next outdoor climbing trip in no time! This is our most popular course, so please book early.

Topics and activities include:

• hazard awareness
• equipment overview
• guidebook use
• basic anchor systems off bolts
• rappelling
• fall restraint and edge safety techniques
• equipment care and use
• cliff ethics

Course length: 1 day
Prerequisite: Cliffhanger Introductory Course OR Belay Check Equivalent
Equipment: Provided by Cliffhanger
Ratio: 6:1
Location: Squamish (weather permitting)
Cost: $129.95 plus tax
Rock Novice Dates: July 11th or July 12th

Click here to book Rock Novice course online

Rock Leader: Traditional (gear placement)

This is a two day Lead-Climbing and Protection Placement course in Squamish. This advanced Level Course is for those seeking to climb in terrain where fixed anchors and protection are not the norm.

Topics and activities include:

• Hazard awareness and management
• Climbing Equipment – care and use
• Review of Edge Safety – fall restraint and fall protection strategies
• Evaluation of fixed anchors
• Review of Anchor criteria (IDEAS), and anchor building practice
• Rope management
• Rappelling with a prussik back-up
• Recommended equipment selection for lead-climbing.
• Gear placement, evaluation, and removal
• Lead climbing strategies
• Top-down and lateral belays
• Basic self-rescue and accident avoidance strategies

Please note: Due to the advanced and in-depth nature of these courses, all students should have sufficient indoor lead climbing experience, and must be leading at a solid 5.10 level

Course length: 2 days
Prerequisite:See below*
Equipment:Provided by Cliffhanger (Including rock protection)
Ratio:4:1
Location: Squamish (weather permitting)
Cost:$279.95 plus tax
Trad Dates:  July 25th & 26th

*** Pre-requisites to Lead Courses***

Lead-climbing Courses require additional skills, and we recommend that all participants have the following pre-requisites:

1. the Lead Climbing Belay Test at Cliffhanger
2. Rock Novice, Rock Master, or equivalent
3. All participants should have their own personal climbing equipment (harness, belay device, rock shoes, and helmet)

Exceptions to these prerequisites must be discussed one-on-one with the guide.

Click here to book Rock Leader Trad course online

On Demand Courses 

Didn’t find what you were looking for in our list of courses offered? We can customize courses to your needs.

Below are some additional courses that can be booked on demand. Prices will need to be verified with the guide.

Rock Rescue

As soon as you are ready for any multi-pitch climbing, you should know what to do if things go wrong and you need to get yourself or your partner out of trouble. This course will teach you the basic mechanics and systems needed for high-angle self-rescue. Don’t get left dangling in the wind!

• Mechanical advantage techniques
• Anchor tie-off and escape
• 3:1 and 5:1 raises
• Rope ascending techniques
• Knot passes
• Counter-balance lower of an injured climber

Other courses for self-organized groups, offered upon special request through Cliffhanger include:

• Multi-pitch Climbing (2:1 ratio): Learn the skills involved in multi-pitch climbing over two days in Squamish.
• Basic Mountaineering (4:1 ratio): 4 – 7 day courses designed around your group’s needs.
• Custom Guiding: for any special trip you have in mind including corporate groups and large events.

For more information, please call Cliffhanger Climbing in Vancouver at 604-874-2400.