The Foundational Rock Rescue course will provide you with the skills to solve some of the more common issues that come up while climbing. At the beginning of the course, we will go over all the gear you should be carrying, its strengths and weaknesses, and do a review of all the knots and hitches you will need to know. The remainder of the day will be spent teaching you new rescue systems to give you the essential skills to carry out simple rock rescue. There will be lots of time to learn the new systems and then apply them to common scenarios with coaching and feedback from your guide.
Agenda
Day 1: 7:00 am At Yamnuska Office then move to a local climbing area
- Welcome, introduction, goals, and agenda
- Review of hazard evaluation and risk management
- Material strengths and weaknesses
- Review of knots and hitches
- Station management for efficiency and rescue
- belay tie offs
- Basic 3:1 raise
- Lowers
- Tandem rappelling
- Emergency preparedness and calling for help
Meeting Time and Place
The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 7:00 am on the first day. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park. See this map for location. Please be dressed for the outdoors and have your gear handy so the instructors can check it with you.
Instructors and Group Size
Your instructors will be ACMG certified guides. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per instructor, a minimum of 4.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1-hour (100km) drive west of Calgary.
If you are flying from afar for the program, we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting, you to the climbing locations, it will allow you to explore our region afterward.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore.
Park Passes
Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.
National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.
Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation in Canmore is not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore and Banff, including campsites, hostels, all levels of hotels as well as condo-style accommodation with kitchens or suites. We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.
Food is not supplied. You will need lunch and something to drink. Bring plenty to drink and lunch plus energy snacks.
Equipment and Clothing
What you need to bring:
- Harness, whatever you use
- Helmet
- Rock shoes or climbing boots
- 2 long prussics (7mm diameter, 5 m in length)
- 1 short prussic (7mm x 1.5m)
- 1 Double length shoulder sling (sewn 120 cm)
- 2 pear shaped/HMS carabiners
- 2 locking carabiners
- 4 non-locking carabiners (same shape & size)
- Belay device
If you own feel free to bring:
- Rescue gear (tibloc, ropeman or ascenders)
- Traditional rock protection (one rack of mixed gear per two people)
- Quickdraws
Yamnuska will supply ropes and specialty gear for the session.
- Clothing appropriate for the day
- Lunch and drink
- Notebook
- Camera for photographing systems (optional)
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking.
Please familiarize yourself with ourdetailed booking instructions and conditions.
Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here. Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care, and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.
Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.
Dates:
PRICE:
$189.00 includes instruction and the use of technical gear. GST not included
Gratuities not included.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.
Is it for you?
The participant must be a competent belayer and have basic climbing skills as a minimum requirement. Multipitch climbing experience is recommended.
If you have the opportunity, please prepare yourself by knowing how to tie a figure eight follow through, figure eight on a bight, clove hitch, prussic hitch, and Munter hitch. We will review all these knots during the course.
