We provide climbing experience to help people to enjoy such interactive activity with nature and fellow climbers, to appreciate self-empowerment and self-determination when facing challenges, to develop climbing skills and competence in accordance with the current risk management standards.
In 1970 Brian Hibbert established Ontario's first commercial rock climbing company, Hibbert Climbing and Enterprises, to provide saftety oriented climbing programs to students and adults. In the following 30 years, Brian taught generations of climbers without a single safety accident.
In 2001 Brian folded his outdoor climbing instruction operation due to inhibiting insurance cost following the 9.11 tragedy in New York, and began to work with Xiaoping Li under his company The Ping Way (established in 2000) to facilitate team building and leadership development using wall climbing and ropes course activities.
In 2010 Xiaoping Li established Zen Climb to offer outdoor rock climbing instruction service. In addition to inheriting some nonperishable climbing equipment from Brian, Xiaoping sought Brian's advice on both climbing and people skills, and decided to carry on Brian's signature torch at the crags -- to help clients to have a safe climbing experience and achieve a sense of accomplishment.
iaoping climbed the Big King Mountain in his hometown and learned a life lesson: challenging myself to reach seemingly impossible heights.Xiaoping started top rope climbing and sport leading outdoors in 1994 and trad leading in 1995. He made a top rope first ascent (First Try, 5.7) in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China in 1996. In 2013 he made three trad lead first ascents (L-i 5.4, RV 5.3, Sandbag 5.10a) in Ovakal Rock Garden in Andhra Pradesh state in India.
Xiaoping began to show people the ropes by leading rock climbing trips for Out & Out Club. He then taught indoor climbing at Toronto Climbing Academy. In July 2010 Xiaoping took a 7-day alpine rock climbing leadership training program in Jasper with Mr. Cyril Shokoples - former president of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) - and his fellow guide Mr. Jeremy Mackenzie. He then instructed climbing clinics for Alpine Club Canada (Toronto Section).
In October 2010 Xiaoping took a 3-day Single Pitch Instructor course with American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), and then took a 2-day exam with AMGA to become a certified Single Pitch Instructor.
In October 2011 Xiaoping took a 9-day Multi-pitch Guide Training program in Colorado with American Climbing Institute and learned first-hand from Mr. Alan Jolley the "baseline" approach to self-improvised rescue which, as he asserted, was invented by him and later adopted by AMGA.
In November 2012 Xiaoping took a 2-day Rescue Course and an 8-day Multi-pitch Guide Course in Joshua Tree with Professional Climbing Guides Institute, and then guided a novice climber up a 4-pitch route (1st pitch: Gaucho Marx 5.9; 2nd-4th pitch: Orange Flake 5.7) to summit Saddle Rock -- the tallest rock formation in Joshua Tree National Park.
In November 2013 Xiaoping took the 10-day Rock Guide Course with the American Mountain Guides Association at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. Upon completing this course, he became an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide -- qualified to guide multi-pitch climbs upto 400 feet height in a non-remote area.
Having rock climbed outdoors for 30 years, Xiaoping is keen to share with his clients current risk management approaches, techniques and practices, so that they will not only challenge their climbing limits, but also increase their chaince to live to climb for a life time!
From the first time I touched a climbing hold, I knew that climbing would be a huge part of my life. After climbing for a total of 4 hours, I made my way to the local outdoor store and bought a climbing harness, shoes and a chalk bag. The challenge of climbing is something that I had never experienced before, I was obsessed with sending harder and harder routes. I went from climbing auto-belays to top rope to sport climbing in no time flat. Quickly, I learned that no matter what you accomplish in this sport, there is always something more exciting and challenging right around the corner.
After enjoying indoor climbing, the decision to head outdoors was made. Not knowing anything about outdoor climbing at the time, a seasoned climber offered to take me to the local crag. The rush that I experienced that day will never be forgotten, It was magical. I quickly realized that climbing in general is incredible, but climbing in nature is life changing. The peacefulness of the crag first thing in the morning is soon met with hours upon hours of excitement. Between sending routes and belaying climbing partners, we would enjoy just chatting and enjoying each other's company. There is a camaraderie between climbers that is truly something special.
Somewhere along the line, I had realized that I very much enjoy sharing my passion for climbing with others. My first introduction to instructing included teaching new climbers how to belay and execute basic climbing movements. Soon after, this was followed up by completing more in depth climbing courses that emphasized safe climbing practices. It was at this point that I knew instructing had to be a part of my life. I spent the next couple of years shadowing competent instructors who provided me with a wealth of knowledge. With an ever-increasing thirst for knowledge, I had then travelled to Squamish, British Columbia to complete Instructor training with the Association of Canadian Mountain guides. These professionals provided me with the necessary training to instruct climbers in the safest most efficient way possible.
Whether you have no climbing experience whatsoever or you are looking to expand upon your existing climbing knowledge, I am here to help you achieve your goals and provide you with the safest, most enjoyable experience that I possibly can.
I can't guarantee that climbing will change your life like it did mine.....but it just might!!
Raz grew up in the hills of north England, and was scrambling at a young age. His love for the outdoors has lead him to live in many different places across the globe.
Now in Vancouver, Raz works at a visual effects studio during the week, and tends to treat the weekend as a time for adventure. When he is able however, he still loves to travel and recently (Feb 2012) visited Africa to ascend Kilimanjaro.
He is dual certified through Zen Climb's Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor Certification process and accredited through the ACMG as a Top-Rope Climbing Instructor. When he's not in-front of his computer, Raz enjoys trail running, rock climbing and mountaineering, and you'll find him training at the Edge Climbing Center (Vancouver's north shore) at least a few nights a week.
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Several years ago, a friend took her to an indoor climbing gym and she was simply amazed by the sport. The next year she went rock climbing outdoors for the first time during her honeymoon in Yangshuo, Guanzi, China (they call it “Climbers’ Heaven”).
She had done some ice-climbing in 2010 in the far northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang, home of K2, so she had already been “infected” with the desire to climb in the great outdoors. But it was during those first ascents of the cliffs rising above the bamboo groves below that she really fell in love with the sport.
In 2012, Lilies joined the Rescue Association in China where she trained and practiced in the areas of Mountaineering Search & Rescue; High Angle Altitude Rescue; Caving Rescue; Confined Space Rescue; Urban Search & Rescue; Natural Disaster Rescue (including Earthquake Rescue and Flood/Swift Water Rescue).
This helped her developed a wide range of skills such as rock climbing, ascending/descending, caving, rope assess, risk management, and first aid.
After moving to Canada, she discovered Zen Climb and met Xiaoping Li. She got certified through his Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor Certification program and has been teaching with him since 2015, first as an Assistant Instructor and now as a Lead Instructor.
She also earned the Advanced Medical First Responder 1st Aid certificate since coming to Canada and is passionate about helping people explore their limits in a safe, rewarding way.
Boris discovered climbing a bit later in life than most people. He quickly realized that for him it was going to be a way of life and not a hobby. After Some creative rearranging of his live he set out to pursue a full-time career in the outdoors.
Since taking the Sport Lead Climbing and Rappelling course with Zen climb in 2012, Boris' adventure has been ongoing throughout Ontario and BC.
These Days Boris Is a dual certified ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor (TRCI) and Climbing Gym Instructor (CGI) Level 2.
Besides taking clients out climbing, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking and occasionally summiting a mountain, If you are around Squamish you may encounter him roaming the Boulder fields or getting ready to try and top out the chief.
Brian is a retired public school principal and has been involved in the climbing scene for over 40 years. In 1970 he established Ontario's first commercial rock climbing company and provided safety oriented climbing programs to students and adults. He was the founding president of the Ontario Rock Climbing Association, served on the board of directors for many years and held the O.R.C.A's top level of instructor certification.
Brian currently acts as the climbing consultant and inspector of climbing programs/facilities for the Toronto District School Board and has developed climbing safety guidelines and standards for both the Board and the Ontario Physical and Health Association.