This year's Basic Outdoor Top-Roping course will be a full-day outdoor "practical" session on Sunday June 18^th in the Squamish Bluffs. 

NOTE: though members with no climbing experience may be accepted into this course, the content will be geared for those who have done some indoor gym climbing and want to learn (or learn more) about outdoor rock top-rope climbing.

Course Topics: 
Safety, basic equipment, basic climbing skills and techniques, the elements of top-roping (tying in, belaying, lowering, ground anchors, rope management, climber's knots and so on). The course *may*, at the discretion of the organizer, also cover setting up a top-rope anchor and rappelling. The course will not cover belaying from above, i.e. off an anchor. One of our primary objectives will be discussing basic climbing techniques on rock and some challenges it presents.

Required Equipment:
• climber's harness & rock shoes and a helmet (climber's strongly preferred, but a good cycling helmet will suffice).
• a belay device plus one large pear/Münter-biner (no figure 8s for belaying please).
• two locking carabiners (Ds or ovals), two non-locking biners, and two 7mm static cordellettes measuring 1.5m and 5m in length.

*** Those who have a 60m "single" (>9.5mm) climbing rope, please bring it.

The course organizers or the BCMC will provide other required equipment. 

Participants will need to bring lunch, water, suitable clothing and sunscreen.

Instructors and Assistants:
The course volunteer instructor will be BCMC member Paul Olynek, who has taught this and similar courses in the past.  In addition, a few BCMC members who have completed an Essential Rock Climbing course, or equivalent, may be invited to assist (if interested in volunteering, please contact Paul).  

Course Registration

The participant fee of $20 includes one outdoor weekend (Sunday) session.  There will be three volunteer instructors and a maximum of 12 participants. 

The registration process to attend this course will be:
a) you'll be placed on the Request List while we review your answers to our "Join" questions.
b) next, you're moved to the Waiting List where you'll pay online via the "Pay Now" button.^[1] 
c) After that, you'll be added to each session's Confirmed List  and sent email notifications.
   [1] If you plan to pay by personal cheque, please contact the course organizer ASAP.

Emergency Contact: If you haven't done so, please add it to your BCMC account by clicking on "My Account" in the top-right corner of our club website, then select "Edit Emergency Contact" under "Manage My Account" in the left column.

Waiver and Medical: Every participant must have read and agree to ("signed") the club's online Waiver.  In addition, those with potential medical issues, that might affect their course participation, need to contact the course organizer ASAP after registering for this course.

Changes - Cancellations: This course is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in case of suspected poor weather.  If the course is rescheduled to another weekend that does not fit into your personal schedule then a full refund will be issued.  IMPORTANT: cancellation fees may apply in case of a cancellation by a participant; please review the BCMC Course Refund Policy for detailed information.