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GYM TO CRAG

Outdoor Climbing Courses

***OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT ALERT***

All participants who sign up to take an outdoor climbing course can purchase course equipment for 10% off.  A great way to start your climbing rack or expand your gear for a great price.

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GYM TO CRAG: BOULDERING

This 2 part blended instruction program introduces climbers to the preferred methods and best practices associated with bouldering in an outdoor environment.

What I Will Learn:

  • Transferring bouldering skills outdoors

  • Trip planning, Leave No Trace, basic environmental stewardship, and outdoor etiquette

  • Risk management: Identification, mitigation, and monitoring elements of risk associated with climbing outdoors, specifically to outdoor bouldering environments & equipment covered in the course

  • Crash pad placement and movement

  • Spotting

Best For:

  • Ideal for those who have a minimum of four months bouldering experience and are eager to make the transition to outdoor climbing

What's Included:

  • 2 Day Course

  • Taught by a certified and trained climbing instructor

  • Gear is provided

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GYM TO CRAG: TOP ROPE

This 2 day adventure program introduces participants to the preferred methods and best practices associated with Top Roping outside and is a guided day in an outdoor environment.

What I Will Learn:

  • Transferring Top Rope climbing skills outdoors

  • Trip planning, Leave No Trace, basic environmental stewardship, and outdoor etiquette

  • Risk management: Identification, mitigation, and monitoring  elements of risk associated with climbing outdoors pertaining to outdoor Top Rope climbing rope systems & equipment covered in the course

  • Exposure to Basic Anchor building: configurations, applications & anchor access methods

  • Anchor's will be demonstrated and built by the instructor

  • Participants will hike to the base of the Top Rope system to climb, no rappelling.

Best For:

  • Climbers who are Top Rope certified at Aspire Whitby and looking to tackle top rope at the Crag.

What's Included:

  • 2 Day Course

  • Taught by a certified and trained climbing instructor

  • Gear is provided

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TOP ROPE

This 3 part course is more in depth and robust than the Gym To Crag counterpart.  Top Rope Climbing Outdoor is aimed at climbers seeking to gain the knowledge and experience needed to manage the risks of top-rope climbing in an outdoor environment. Gain the freedom to climb on your own with your friends or family!

What I Will Learn:

  • Transferring Top Rope climbing skills outdoors

  • Trip planning, Leave No Trace, basic environmental stewardship, and outdoor etiquette

  • Risk management: Identification, mitigation, and monitoring  elements of risk associated with climbing outdoors pertaining to outdoor Top Rope climbing rope systems & equipment covered in the course

  • Intermediate anchor building, configurations, and applications

  • Anchor access methods

  • Rappelling

Best For:

  • Climbers who are Top Rope certified at Aspire Whitby and looking to tackle top rope at the Crag.

What's Included:

  • 3 Day Course

  • Taught by a certified and trained climbing instructor

  • Gear is provided

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SPORT CLIMBING

Sport Outdoor is a 3 part, blended instruction program that introduces students to the preferred methods and best practices associated with sport climbing in an outdoor environment.

What I Will Learn:

  • Transferring sport climbing skills outdoors                

  • Clipping Methods/Considerations

  • Cleaning a Route

  • Threading / Cleaning an Anchor

  • Stances for Clipping / Efficiency

  • Communication

  • Rope Management

  • Lead Belaying & Falling

  • Route Selection & Risk Assessment

  • Trip planning, Leave No Trace, basic environmental stewardship, and outdoor etiquette

  • Risk management: Identification, mitigation, and monitoring acceptance of elements of risk associated with climbing outdoors pertaining to outdoor sport climbing rope systems & equipment covered in the course

  • Anchor building, configurations, and applications

  • Rappelling

Best For:

  • Best for climbers who are lead certified at Aspire Whitby (via Lead lesson or belay test) and comfortable climbing a 5.8 on lead

What's Included:

  • 3 Day Course

  • Taught by a certified and trained climbing instructor

  • Gear is provided

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TRADITIONAL CLIMBING

Traditional climbing course is a 2-day blended instruction program that introduces students to the preferred methods and best practices associated with Traditional climbing, risk management and yes!!! You guest it. Crack climbing!!!

What I Will Learn:

  • Trad climbing skills

  • Rappelling skills

  • Rescue Techniques

  • Proper gear selection and placement

  • Risk management: Identification, mitigation and acceptance of elements of risk associated with climbing outdoors pretaining to outdoor Traditional climbing rope systems & equipment covered in the course

  • Trip planning, Leave No Trace, basic environmental stewardship, and outdoor etiquette

  • Anchor configurations and applications

  • Anchor access methods

Best For:

  • Climbers are who are Lead Certified at Aspire Whitby (via Lead lesson at our facility or belay test) and who have a minimum of 1 year of indoor lead experience. 

  • 1 year of indoor Lead rock climbing experience.  Interested climbers must have also flashed 10 indoor lead routes within the last year (5.10 minimum)

What's Included:

  • 2 Day Course

  • Taught by a certified and trained climbing instructor

  • Gear is provided

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THE CLIMBERS CODE

The 'Climbers' Code of Respect' has been created with the help of access groups across Canada, in an effort to unify climbing information and create a national resource for Gym to Rock Transitioning.

RESPECT THE DANGERS

Outdoor climbing poses many safety concerns that are not present in a climbing gym. Make sure that you are properly prepared for rock climbing outside.

 

  • Learn necessary outdoor climbing skills from a guide/mentor

  • Learn about the cliff: style, protection, difficulty, area hazards (ie. Poison ivy)

  • Wear a helmet as rocks can break, yell “rock” if rock/gear fall

  • Watch for sharp edges that can damage/cut rope when lowering/rappelling

  • Inspect/clean your gear often. Replace when worn/expired

  • Triple check and back up your systems (harness/knot/belays/anchors/rappels).

  • Communicate with your partner and other climbers

  • Learn how to detect if fixed gear/bolts are safe

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Climbing areas are more environmentally sensitive than you may think. Lead by example and leave the cliff cleaner than you found it.

 

  • Pack out your trash & pick up after others

  • Stay on designated trails to lessen impact

  • Do not urinate under overhangs or in caves. It does not wash away!

  • Use existing bathroom facilities/dig a hole, cover it and pack out TP

  • Do not feed or hurt animals

  • Do not damage trees or plants

  • Leash dogs to not disrupt wildlife & others

  • Keep gear/back-pack on non-vegetated surfaces to avoid damaging plants

  • Do not damage/chip the rock. Brush off your tick marks

  • Start fires only in designated/contained pits

  • Be aware of seasonal fire bans and follow regulations

RESPECT OTHERS

Please be respectful of landowners and other people at the cliff. Stay educated about cliff rules, as well as any cliff access issues that may be present.

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  • Share climbs with others

  • Climb in smaller groups

  • Check if dogs are allowed

  • Pull your ropes when finished, yell “rope” when pulling ropes

  • Keep noise levels appropriate, no loud music/profanities

  • Do not smoke around others

  • Respect the “right of way” on multi-pitch/shared anchors

RESPECT ACCESS

Local access groups and volunteers have fought hard to keep climbing areas open. It is imperative that you be on best behavior to keep it that way. Stay educated on climbing area access considerations

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  • Respect land owner rules or provincial/federal regulations

  • Do not leave gear unless permitted

  • Park considerately, carpool if possible

  • Camp only in designated/permitted areas

  • Respect area closures (seasonal/permanent)

  • Pay required entrance fees/permits

  • Get involved with local access coalitions

  • Follow Transport Canada regulations for drone use

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