Aid climbing isn't just for big walls; it's also a good way to practice gear placement and build a skill that can get you safely through places that you can't free climb. Bring your aid climbing gear or practice your improvised aid skills. Possible routes are Digital Dexterity or King of Rock, but I'm open to suggestions. 

Requirements: No aid climbing experience necessary, but everyone needs to know how to lead belay safely, and how to lead on trad gear. Less-experienced climbers can choose easy routes with simple, bomber gear placements, but everyone should be confident with the fundamentals of leading on gear.

Equipment to bring: 

• Helmet, harness, belay device
• One rope per two-person team (bring a rope tarp)
• At least one rack for every two people: the more gear, the better
• Aiders (two per team), or if you want to practice your improvised aid skills, at least four double-length slings to knot together
• Two daisy chains, or two more double-length slings for improvised daisy chains
• Very warm clothing and sturdy shoes (approach shoes or hiking shoes)
• Jumars if you have them
• Eye protection recommended (sunglasses or safety glasses)
• Belay gloves or leather work gloves if you have them

Aid climbing is slow, so don't expect to get too many pitches done, and make sure to dress very warmly. Bring a thermos.

Meetup info: we'll meet at 11 a.m. in Smoke Bluffs at the picnic area and playground near Neat and Cool. Plan to leave Squamish at 6 p.m.

Cancellation: I'll check the weather forecast and decide whether to go or not by 8 p.m. the evening before. Wet rock is OK for this trip, but if it's raining too much, I'll cancel.

Links: 

• Climbing Magazine tech tips: tying your own aiders: http://www.climbing.com/skill/tech-tip-aid-cheap-aiders-and-daisy-chains-2/
• Video: basic aid technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJSx6dqjno