Basic Rock Climbing Introductory Letter

Rescue Dynamics
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5
email:

Greetings,

NOTE: Public courses and guiding have been suspended for summer 2022 due to continuing issues related to COVID. We are hoping to return to a more regular schedule in 2024.

This letter will serve to introduce you to the Basic Rock Climbing Courses you expressed interest in. We have several Basic Rock Climbing courses this year. The dates for the courses are TBA. The cost of each course is $245.00 per person including GST.

In order for you to be confirmed on the course you must first complete the personal information form, then read, understand and sign the waiver. You will then need to mail or email those completed forms in. You will then be billed for the course fees.

If you have not paid, your spot is NOT yet confirmed. We reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of severe weather or low enrollment. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded. See our website for complete cancellation policies and procedures.

Should less than three persons sign up for the course, we reserve the right to cancel the course. We also reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of severe weather. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded.

The course introduces you to skills required to safely begin rock climbing with an experienced partner or group. The course content includes movement on rock, knots, ropework, belaying, rappelling and safety topics. The instruction takes place in several locations. The course will be held on limestone cliffs and slabs in the Front Ranges in Jasper National Park (midway between Hinton and Jasper). The second day often includes a multi-pitch climb, weather permitting.

We will provide instruction and all the technical climbing equipment including hardware, ropes, helmets and harnesses. (If you own your own gear, feel free to bring it if you wish.) We DO NOT provide climbing boots, rock shoes, day pack or clothing. Renting or borrowing rock shoes is a reasonable thing to consider for this course. Also have lightweight hiking boots to travel to the sites.

Be sure your clothing can handle the changes in mountain environment, including heat, cold, wind, rain (or snow?), sun and insects. We are outside all day on both days, and the course will proceed in all but the most severe weather. The enclosed equipment list may help you to prepare for the course. You are responsible for your own meals, accommodation and transportation for the entire course. Be sure to prepare a bag lunch and bring water or other drinks for each day of the course, as we do not return to the vehicles for lunch.

The meeting time and place for the course is 8:30 am on the first morning of each respective course at the Morro Slabs parking lot. This is located along Highway 16 east of Jasper where the highway crosses the Athabasca River.

There is a PDF file available on our website detailing how to get to this location as well as how to book the various parks campsites. Our two days will be spent east of Jasper between Jasper and Hinton. Common campsites that have been used by students in the past include Jasper Gates (outside of the park to the east of the park gates), Whistler (closest to Jasper) and Wapiti (next closest to Jasper) each of which have showers. More primitive camping is found at Pocahontas and Snaring Campgrounds. Motels and other accommodations can be found at the Folding Mountain Resort or in the townsite of Jasper.

You must have a valid Park Vehicle Group Pass or Personal Pass to attend this course, as we are traveling in National Park areas. Be sure to purchase one when you first enter the Park if you do not already have one.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT WAIVERS: Our insurer requires that we have a two part process for using and administering waivers. If you sign up by mail or email you must included a signed and witnessed waiver as part of your application for all courses. You will also be required to sign a second full colour paper copy of the waiver in the presence of one of our staff members. There are no exceptions.

If you have any further questions, please call or email us.

Sincerely

Cyril Shokoples IFMGA

Mountain Guide

General Course Overview

Basic Rock

DAY 1

Introduction to rope care and basic knots
Introduction to basic equipment and harnesses
Fundamentals of rope handling and belaying technique
Introduction to bouldering
Fundamentals of movement on rock
Top - roped climbing
Introduction to rappelling and mechanical descenders
Care of equipment
Safety in climbing
Regulations in climbing
Introduction to prusiking

DAY 2

Refinement of basic rock climbing skills
Refinement of belaying technique
Refinement of rappelling technique
Introduction to routefinding
Grading climbs & guidebooks

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Further Information, Comments, Suggestions?

Rescue Dynamics
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5
Last updated Monday, June 5, 2023