Overview:  this two-day course will focus on essential skills for safe and efficient multi-pitch climbing and rappelling in Squamish.  The dates will be: Sunday August 16th and Sunday August 23rd.  Please leave Sunday August 30th available in case we need to reschedule due to poor weather.

Meetup Info:  each day we'll meet at 7:00 am at the St. David's Church parking lot located at Hwy 1 and Taylor Way, in West Vancouver. If you need a ride to the church, please post a request in this trip's planning forum and/or message me.  Each day we'll aim to arrive back in Vancouver before 6:00 pm.

General Plan:  the first day will be at the Second Avenue Wall (near the Lumberland wall) where the transitions from the lower to upper pitches are relatively safe and safety lines can be placed on some two-pitch routes.  For experienced lead-climbers, we *might* allow them to lead "easy" (for them) pitches next to the safety lines.  Those that have not lead (enough?), they will only be allowed to second or must lead-climb with a safety top-rope.  The first day will focus on learning basic multi-pitch station building, transitions, and rappel skills... with an expectation there will be a significant amount of time spent at protected belay stations discussing transition techniques... mid-climb and top of climb. 

The second day will be used for reviewing "Day 1" information and gaining experience on moderate multi-pitch routes... most likely on The Lower Apron.  On day-2, we hope that a small group of knowledgeable volunteer instructors will be available to climb with students (1:1), providing feedback, and helping practice safe and efficient belay station transition techniques. 

Requirements:  every participant in this course must have some outdoor rock-climbing "leading" experience... at least single-pitch... preferably on "trad" routes.  Everyone taking this course needs to have learned how to safely belay a lead-climber prior to registering.  If you're unsure whether you have the necessary experience then please send a request to one of the organizers to discuss it on the phone, thank you.

Personal Gear:  all participants must bring their own personal climbing gear... including: harness, belay device, locking biners, anchor material, climbing shoes, and helmet (no helmet = no climbing).  We expect everyone to have some lead-gear... at least a set of draws... and hopefully "trad" gear that includes at least a selection of "passive pro" and a nut tool.  Consider borrowing from a lead-climber friend for what you don't already have.  And you will need a prussic for rappelling and a PAS (personal anchor system) for securing yourself to anchors.  Don't forget to bring plenty of water and energy snacks too. 

The instructors will bring some ropes and gear for safety lines and demonstrations.  Each participant is expected to bring a good 60m climbing rope.  If you're unsure about what exactly to bring, contact one of the organizers.

Course Fee:  $20 CAD.
Please note that the course organizers are volunteers. Your course fee is paid directly to the BCMC.  If the organizers cancel the course then anyone that has paid the course fee will receive a full refund.

Registration process:
1) after you've register online your name will automatically be added to the "Request List" while the organizer reviews your registration information,
2) after the organizer approves your request, your name will be placed in the "Waiting List", which will give you access to the "Pay Now" (PayPal) button to pay online,
3) after payment has been confirmed by PayPal, your name will be moved to the "Confirmed List" and a confirmation email will be sent to you. 
Notes about the "Confirmed List":
 1) ordering will be based on when course fee payments were received.
 2) group total, including organizers, is limited by "Max participants:".

The minimum number required for the course to proceed will be eight [8], i.e. 2 teaching and 6 learning.

Payment options:
1) online PayPal / Credit Card payment through the BCMC website is preferred,
2) the alternate method is send a cheque payable to the B.C. Mountaineering Club and mailed to PO Box 2674, Vancouver, BC V6B 3W8.  Allow time for delivery since payment will not be considered "received" until the cheque has been deposited into the BCMC bank account.  Contact the organizer to request a space on the "Confirmed List" be held for you.
NOTE: cancellation fees may apply if a "Confirmed" participant withdraws from the course and requests a refund.  For more information, please review the BCMC Course Refund Policy.

Emergency Info:  please make sure your Emergency Contact info has been added to your web-account profile.  You can do this by logging into the bcmc.ca website, then click on: My Account > Edit Profile Information > Private Info and add your Emergency Name and Phone Number info.  Please re-enter your current password to complete the process.  Your emergency contact info is stored *privately* and only made available to those organizing events that *you* choose to attend.

Medical issues:  if there are any current medical issues that should be shared with the course organizers, please send one/both of us an email message and/or phone the primary organizer ASAP.  For example, if you are very allergic to bee/wasp bites, or you are taking medication that could be vital information to First Aid Responders.  Anything you choose to share with us will remain private.