6:1 Guide/Participant Ratio
1 day clinic
Take your climbing from the gym to real rock in the Canadian Rockies. This introductory outdoor lead climbing clinic is designed for climbers who are comfortable top-roping indoors or outdoors and are ready to learn how to lead climb safely on bolts.
You’ll build a strong foundation in outdoor systems, lead climbing technique, and risk management. The focus is on efficiency, safety, and confidence so you can transition to outdoor sport climbing with solid habits and sound decision-making.
• Outdoor lead belaying: proper belay technique, ground management, and communication specific to outdoor environments
• Clipping & movement fundamentals: efficient clipping positions, footwork, body positioning, and managing pump while leading
• Lead falls & risk management: understanding fall factors, bolt spacing, and how to manage fear and exposure
• Anchor building & cleaning: constructing and evaluating sport anchors, threading chains, and safely cleaning routes
• Rappelling: safe, efficient rappel techniques and transitions at the top of routes
• Crag systems & hazard awareness: rope management, rockfall awareness, environmental considerations, and multi-party etiquette
• Expert instruction from guides who actively climb and guide in outdoor rock environments
• A small 4:1 ratio for increased hands-on coaching and personalized feedback
• A supportive learning environment that builds confidence while maintaining high safety standards
• A clear pathway into independent outdoor sport climbing and future multi-pitch objectives
This clinic is designed for climbers new to outdoor lead climbing.
Participants should:
• Be comfortable top-roping outdoors or indoors
• Have prior experience lead belaying or lead climbing in a gym
• Confidently climb at least 5.6-5.8 on top rope while giving a safe belay
If you’re unsure whether this clinic is appropriate for you, please contact us and we’ll help guide you.
Meeting time & location: We’ll meet at Beamer’s Coffee in Canmore at 7:30 a.m.
Climb and learn: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day
Climbing venues will vary depending on weather, conditions, and participant experience to ensure the best learning environment.
Not included. Climbing venues are not accessible by public transit, so participants must arrive by personal vehicle.
Not included. Each participant is responsible for obtaining the appropriate provincial or national park pass.
All technical climbing equipment, including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and quickdraws, is included in your course fee.
Required personal gear not included:
Rock climbing shoes
Harness (if you prefer your own)
Helmet (if you prefer your own)
Weather-appropriate layers
Warm jacket
Wind or waterproof shell
Approach shoes
Day pack
Water
Snacks / lunch
If you are missing any required items, please contact us and we will do our best to assist.
A minimum of 2 participants is required for this course to run.
6:1 Guide/Participant Ratio
1 day clinic
Take your climbing from the gym to real rock in the Canadian Rockies. This introductory outdoor lead climbing clinic is designed for climbers who are comfortable top-roping indoors or outdoors and are ready to learn how to lead climb safely on bolts.
You’ll build a strong foundation in outdoor systems, lead climbing technique, and risk management. The focus is on efficiency, safety, and confidence so you can transition to outdoor sport climbing with solid habits and sound decision-making.
• Outdoor lead belaying: proper belay technique, ground management, and communication specific to outdoor environments
• Clipping & movement fundamentals: efficient clipping positions, footwork, body positioning, and managing pump while leading
• Lead falls & risk management: understanding fall factors, bolt spacing, and how to manage fear and exposure
• Anchor building & cleaning: constructing and evaluating sport anchors, threading chains, and safely cleaning routes
• Rappelling: safe, efficient rappel techniques and transitions at the top of routes
• Crag systems & hazard awareness: rope management, rockfall awareness, environmental considerations, and multi-party etiquette
• Expert instruction from guides who actively climb and guide in outdoor rock environments
• A small 4:1 ratio for increased hands-on coaching and personalized feedback
• A supportive learning environment that builds confidence while maintaining high safety standards
• A clear pathway into independent outdoor sport climbing and future multi-pitch objectives
This clinic is designed for climbers new to outdoor lead climbing.
Participants should:
• Be comfortable top-roping outdoors or indoors
• Have prior experience lead belaying or lead climbing in a gym
• Confidently climb at least 5.6-5.8 on top rope while giving a safe belay
If you’re unsure whether this clinic is appropriate for you, please contact us and we’ll help guide you.
Meeting time & location: We’ll meet at Beamer’s Coffee in Canmore at 7:30 a.m.
Climb and learn: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day
Climbing venues will vary depending on weather, conditions, and participant experience to ensure the best learning environment.
Not included. Climbing venues are not accessible by public transit, so participants must arrive by personal vehicle.
Not included. Each participant is responsible for obtaining the appropriate provincial or national park pass.
All technical climbing equipment, including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and quickdraws, is included in your course fee.
Required personal gear not included:
Rock climbing shoes
Harness (if you prefer your own)
Helmet (if you prefer your own)
Weather-appropriate layers
Warm jacket
Wind or waterproof shell
Approach shoes
Day pack
Water
Snacks / lunch
If you are missing any required items, please contact us and we will do our best to assist.
A minimum of 2 participants is required for this course to run.
