Learn to Rappel and Set up an Anchor for Rappel

Cliff Rappel & Rappel Anchor Setup

Course Itinerary:

9:00am:

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 $9.50 entrance fee at the gate.)

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

• Formal introductions,  sign waivers, safety discussion, use of washroom facility.
• Lesson 1 Equipment: fit for harness and helmet.
• Lesson 2 Environment: Outdoor rappelling etiquette.
• Lesson 3 On site safety: objective & subjective hazards and safety protocols.
• Lesson 4 Introduction to rappelling concept, setup and equipment.
• Lesson 5 Tying in to harness with the figure 8 knot.
• Lesson 6 Rappelling technique using an ATC/Reverso/Tube.
• Lesson 7 Communication: rappelling commands, terminology and communication protocol.
• Lesson 8 Rappelling on single and/or double rope.
• Lesson 9 Tethering with a webbing.
• Lesson 10 Tying webbing to a tree, rock or bolt to build a two-point anchor for rappel.
• Lesson 11 Rappelling from this anchor.
• Lesson 12 Life lesson discussion (optional).

5:00pm: 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; old hiking/walking shoes or boots for tough wearing on rock. Shoes with sticky rubber soles are better.  Put your jewelry and artificial finger/toe nails away.  Pull your long hair back to avoid potential interference with rappelling.

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 (AMGA), or Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or, by Zen Climb through its vigorous certification process that includes practice teaching with real clients in addition to a series of training courses based on the standard practice of AMGA or ACMG.

Q: What is the instructor to students ratio?

A: One instructor teaches upto 6 clients attending this course first time.

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

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