Whether you’re a recreational climber looking to expand your safety toolkit or a seasoned leader seeking to refine your skills, this hands-on course—will give you the confidence and competence to manage unexpected problems in vertical terrain. Taught by experienced guides from Backcountry Adventure Guides including Climbing Self-Rescue: Essential Skills, Technical Tips & Improvised Solutions author Ian Nicholson, this course focuses on practical, field-tested techniques for escaping belays, hauling injured partners, rope ascension, and improvised lowers or raises using minimal gear. Our goal is to help you become a more self-reliant climber and a stronger partner when things don’t go as planned.
- Dates: Custom, call or email for availability
- Duration: 1 Day
- Level: Intermediate
- Client Ratio: 3:1
- Cost:–$250 Per Person based on 2 people per trip (2-person minimum)
- Included: Park fees, group climbing equipment, and guide services.
- Not Included:Ground transportation airfare, transportation within Seattle, hotel accommodations, restaurant meals, gratuities for guides, meals while on the mountain, and all personal items
What You’ll Learn:
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- Escaping the belay
- Improvised rappel techniques
- Rappelling with an injured climber
- Lowering
- Improvised rope ascension
- Gear organization and racking strategies.
Climbing Gear
- Climbing Helmet
- Rock Climbing Harness
- Approach Shoes
- Belay Device: Tube style belay device ie Petzl Reverso etc
- Cord: 6-7 mm cord 18-21 feet
- 1-2 120 cm sling
- Small prusik/third hand
- 4 Locking carabiners 2-Large, pear-shaped carabiners; 2- Medium pear-shaped,
- 6 Regular carabiners (e.g. Wire-gate are recommended)
- Rappel extension lanyard (Petzl Connect or similar) Optional
Backpack
- 30-40L capacity
One day Climbing Self-Rescue
- Escaping the belay
- Improvised rappel techniques
- Rappeling with an injured climber
- Lowering
- Improvised rope ascension
- Gear organization and racking strategies.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?Tipping is considered standard practice in the guiding industry. Tipping amounts vary – so $20-30 per day per person/per guide is average that works well for the guides without a serious blow to your wallet. Often 10% of the course cost is a good rule-of-thumb. If you feel that the program was exceptional or substandard the tip can reflect that.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM BCAG?No, for these trips we strongly suggest to buy your equipment due to obscenely large rental costs for trip of this length.
HOW HEAVY WILL MY PACK BE?Day trips will keep your pack between 10-15 pounds max.
WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY THE BALANCE OF MY TRIP?For Scheduled Domestic Courses and Climbs: Your balance is due 60 days from trip departure. Payable by check, Credit Card with service charge or Venmo.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
If you should decide to cancel your trip, BCAG must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date we receive written notice. You will be assessed a cancellation fee according to the following schedule:
90 to 31 days from trip departure – 50% of trip cost
30 days or less – 100% of trip cost
WHAT HAPPENS IF BC ADVENTURE GUIDES HAS TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
In the rare circumstance where we need to cancel a program you can reschedule without a fee or receive a refund on your deposit. If circumstances arise that force us to cancel a program that is already in progress, we reserve the right to decide whether a refund or credit, at a prorated rate, will be issued. We are not responsible for cancellation fees or costs arising from your changed or cancelled flights, lodging, or other arrangements. We strongly recommend obtaining trip cancellation insurance from your travel agent.