Sport Lead Climbing and Rappelling

  1. One-Day Option: Single-Pitch Lead Climbing and Rappelling
  2. Two-Day Option: Multi-Pitch Lead Climbing and Rappelling

1. One-Day Option:

You learn all the required skills for leading bolted sport climbing routes i(single-pitch), including belaying and leading techniques, cleaning the top anchors and the route, equipment use and choice, stick clipping, falling, and 3 common setups at the top anchors: lowering, top roping and rappelling.

Rappelling is an integrate part of the skillset for a climber who indents to go on climbing trips. Rappelling down is preferred/needed/required when the top anchors are two cold shuts (like carabineers) and the metal has been partially cut by moving ropes in lowering mode over the years.  Rappelling can help save the anchors and your own life.  (You don't want to be the last person lowering from an anchor by having your rope cutting it through.)

We will review the evolution of rappelling techniques, pros and cons for each, so you will have confidence in using the most current technique recommended by American Mountain Guides Associaiton and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.

Video Lessons for Pre-view and Review: You can pre-view key video lessons of this course, so that you can quickly master the necessary skills on your in-person course day. You can also review the video lessons afterwards as a refresher when needed within a year.

Indoor lead climbers receive a 15% discount because you make it an easy learning and teaching experience for all.

If you have no indoor leading experience, you must pre-view the video lessons and practice the clipping skills before your course date.  Many clients have done so and, after completing the course, have passed lead tests in climbing gyms.

2. Two-Day Option:

On day 2, you will further practice single pitch lead climbing and rappelling, and also learn fundamental multi-pitch climbing and rappelling techniques.  If you have the mental capacity to learn more, we will teach you additional problem solving and improvised self-rescue techniques, to the degree of completing the sport lead Multi-pitch Climbing Techniques course.

"I really enjoyed the two courses (including this one) I took with Zen Climb. Xiaoping is an excellent instructor. He maintains safety as the top priority, ensuring clients learn everything they need to know to stay safe on the mountain. He is very patient and takes the time to review lessons as many times as needed. In particular, I appreciated his concern about "skills fade" among course graduates. He created opportunities for course graduates to get together for outdoor climbing (at no cost). Thanks to Xiaoping, I have increased confidence on the rock and new partners to climb with."  -- Gillian Batt, Toronto, Ontario (Oct. 31, 2012)

View more testimonials here.

Pre-requisites: Able to climb top rope at 5.10 level indoor or 5.8 level outdoor.

Required Equipment: You need to bring a climbing rope for you (or your) group to lead, a set of minimum 6 quickdraws, two 60cm (24") slings (runners) with two non-locking carabiners, a belay device such as a grigri.

Pre-course Prep: We will send you a prep-document with links to a series of video clips to help you prepare for this course.

Duration: 1 day for the One-Day Option; 2 days for the Two-Day Option

Location in Ontario: Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, Ontario

Location in British Columbia: Smok Bluffs Park, 38551 Loggers Ln, Squamish, British Columbia

For more information, please view Itinerary, Facility, Equipment, Preparation and FAQ

Fees for the One-day Option : $435/person + tax (HST in Ontario; GST in British Columbia).

Group Registration Discount:

Receive 15% discount off the one-day option rates if you are certified to lead in a gym. (Please have your gym staff email us through their work email address to confirm your certification. Thanks.)

Bookings on the fourth Saturday of the month receive a further 15% discount of the total from the above.

Single pitch rappelling: $60/person.

Add-on: Gym lead climbers with outdoor top roping experience can add basic Multi-pitch Climbing And Rappelling Techniques at $120/person.

Additional Fees for Two-day Option : $360/person + tax (HST in Ontario; GST in British Columbia).

Group Registration Discount:

Please email us your desired date(s).  We will verify the availability of our instructors and confirm your booking. Thanks!

Last Minute Deal: For every course we run, we offer 1 spot at $295+tax for the One-day Option, and 1 spot at $210+tax for the additional fee for the Two-day option, pending availability.  To take this deal, please submit the following registration and wirte "Las Minute Deal" in your email Subject line.  After we have received your payment, we will put your name on the priority list.  Whenever we have a spot available, we will notify the top three people on the priority list by email on the day before the course date.  The first person responds with acceptance will take the spot.  If by the end of the year, you are not able to attend your registered course, you will be refunded with your full payment minus $5.

Equity Fund $100: We strive to allocate one spot for a person who is experiencing financial hardship to take this course. If taking this course will have a significant positive impact in your life and, without this $100 support you won't take this course, we will apply this $100 to your course fee.  All you need to do is to  participate in the Last Minute Deal and in your registration email mention that you need the Equity Fund $100 to take this course.  We will email you when a spot becomes available.

Covid-19 Related Procedures: We will follow the current provincial and local park guidelines.

Register:

Please email  to provide the following informaiton:

- Your name, address and contact phone number;

- The number of people in your group. If there're minors in the group, indicate their age;

- Name of the course your group is registering;

- The location where you will take the course: A) Rattlesnake Point, B) Smok Bluffs Park.

- Your preferred date(s).

By submitting the above information, you agree to our Booking Conditions and Cancellation Policy.

Booking Conditions:

All participants are required to read, understand and sign this waiver of liability. Those under the age of 18 years must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their waiver. The minimum age to participate is 12.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation must be made 30 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive a 50% refund.  Otherwise, no refund will be issued.  You may transfer your reservation to another person within one week of the program (course, camp or retreat) start date. The administrative cost for this is $45 per person or, $145 per person after instructional video clips have been sent to you or your group.

Nature tests us and nurtures us.  Zen Climb may at its sole discretion reschedule or cancel a booked program due to extreme risky weather conditions or other factors justifiable by Zen Climb. In the event of such a cancellation, we will notify you the cancellation the day before the start of the program.  You may reschedule and attend the same or similar course/program within six months or receive a 50% refund. If you did not receive a cancellation call from us, assume the program will run as scheduled.

Privacy Policy:

We take the protection and proper use of your personal information seriously. We respect your privacy, and take great care to safeguard information in our possession. For your peace of mind, please read our Privacy Policy in its entirety.  Thanks!