Preparing For Your Rock Climbing and Rappelling Trip

A Special Program for Scouts, Girl Guides and School Students

Itinerary:

9:30am:

Ontario clients will meet the instructor at the Upper Parking Lot, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. (You may ask the park attendant for directions when you pay the $6.50/$9.50 entrance fee at the gate.)

BC clients will meet the instructyor at the parking lot of Squamish Adventure Centre (38551 Loggers Lane.)

• Formal introductions,  collecting consent forms, safety discussion, use of washroom facility.
• Lesson 1 Equipment: fit for harness and helmet.
• Lesson 2 Environment: outdoor climbing/rappelling etiquette.
• Lesson 3 On site safety: climbing/rappelling hazards and safety protocols.
• Lesson 4 Introduction to top rope climbing concept, setup and equipment.
• Lesson 5 Tying in to harness with figure 8 knot with a keeper knot. (optional)
• Lesson 6 Belaying: "Pull-BUS" belaying technique using a grigri. (optional)
• Lesson 7 Belaying: "Pull-BUS" belaying technique using an ATC/Reverso/Tube. (optional)
• Lesson 8 Communication: climbing commands, terminology and communication protocol.
• Lesson 9 Lowering: use of grigri and ATC/Reverso/Tube, safety. (optional)
• Lesson 10 Ground anchor consideration and setup. (optional)
• Lesson 11 Introduction to rappelling concept, setup and equipment. (optional)
• Lesson 12 Rappelling: use of ATC/Tube type of rappelling and belaying device. (optional)
• Lesson 13 Climbing techniques: professional coaching and movement skills.
• Lesson 14 Defining success in climbing and in life (optional).
• Lesson 15 Life lesson discussion (optional).

4:00pm: Climbing participants meeting at the parking lot to return equipment and say goodbye to each other.

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
  • 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 Upper Parking Lot.  The hike from the parking lot to the cliff is about 10 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:

Climbing ropes, harnesses, helmets, rappelling and belaying devices are provided by Zen Climb free of charge.

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;

Shoes - old hiking/walking shoes or boots for tough wearing on rock; shoes with sticky rubber soles are better; bring an extra pair of socks to wear when you climb so your feet won't move around in your shoes when you try to stand on tiny ledges; you may also choose to rent a pair of rock shoes from your local MEC store (www.mec.ca).

Others - put your jewelry, rings on fingers 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 or Association of Canadian Mountain Guides or by Zen Climb through its vigorous certification process that includes practice teaching with real clients in addition to a series of training courses.

Q: How much time will I spend on climbing and rappelling respectively?

A: You will spend most of your time climbing.  You will rappell at least once.  After that, you will choose if you want to rappell more or spend more time climbing.

Q: Our group size is between the required numbers of participants, for instance 15 people.  How much will we pay?

A: The first 12 people pay at $80/person+tax.  The remaining 3 people pay at the regular rate for a group of 3 people taking the Introductory Rock Climbing and Rappelling course.

Q: We know that we have 6 participants for sure, and maybe more.  Can we register for a group of 6 people to secure the booking date first, and then add number of participants later?

A: Yes.

Q: What is the instructor to students ratio?

A: The ratio is limited to 1: 6 maximimum.

Q: How long will it take for me to climb from the bottom to the top?

A: It may take a beginner 10 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the difficulty level of the route and the climber's strength and skills.

Q: After I finish climbing one route, will I get a chance to climb a different route?

A: Yes.  Often, when you start a couple of feet left or right of the route you have climbed, you basically climb a different route that is a variation of the one you have climbed.  Alternatively, you can also climb a completely different route set up by the instructor.

Q: Can my family members or friends watch me climbing and take photos?

A: They can do so at their own risk.  Our instructors are not responsible for looking after their safety.