Solid anchor building skills are a must for any climber at any level. Whether climbing or rappelling it is crucial to be able to create and asses a well balanced anchor point using a variety of different methods and equipment. Participants will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safe, effective, and timely anchor-craft. Gear (traditional), bolt (sport) and natural protection (trees, rocks) anchors will all be covered in this course. Also included in this course: participants will learn how to safely rappel using a variety methods and devices.

Course Content

• Anatomy of an anchor

• Assessing and selecting anchor points

• Load distribution/Vector forces/Equalization methods 

• Anchor knots

• Anchor redundancy

• Anchor assessment

• Cliff-top safety

• Anchor rigging from above (using a tether/set-up rope)

• Belayed rappel (guide will have you on a backup line)

• Pre-rigged rappel (guide will be below you holding a backup line)

• Extended rappel (backup device on your harness)

• Leg-loop auto-block rappel (backup device on your harness)

Course Includes

• Instruction by a certified PCGI Single Pitch Climbing Guide

• 1:4 Maximum guide to participant ratio

Pre-requisites

• Experience placing gear is a strong asset for this course, but not a requirement

• No pre-requisite for climbing ability (doesn’t matter if you can climb 5.1 or 5.14).

Required equipment

• Helmet (available for rent if needed)

• Harness (available for rent if needed)

• ATC + locking carabiner

• 4 additional locking carabiners

• 2 non-locking carabiners

• 1m of 5mm static cord for prusik or Hollo-block cord (available for purchase from instructor if needed)

• 7m of 7mm or 8mm static cord (available for purchase from instructor if needed)

• 2x Double shoulder length sling (120cm)

• 1x Quad length sling (240mm) OR 5m tubular webbing

• Appropriate clothing for the weather

• Comfortable hiking/approach shoes

• Water

Course Does not Included

• Snacks, lunch

• Park Entrance fees (where applicable)