Rock Climbing
There is an invisible force that draws us to the vertical. A will to defy the natural law that tells us this is the solitary domain of spiders and geckos. Off the ground we can achieve a certain freedom that ties us down when we are earthbound. All of life's daily issues gain insignificance as the only focus becomes our delicate contact with the stone.
Rock Climbing Intro Courses
Family Rock
Rock climbing is a great activity for the whole family! It encourages trust and teamwork and instills confidence. Plus it’s just a whole lot of fun. You’ll learn the skills for belaying and rappelling as well as key movement techniques to scale the climbs with the grace of a cat.
No experience is needed, as you will be taught all the skills. For those who have climbed before, we will find challenges for everyone.
Courses generally run out of Nelson but are possible in Castlegar, Slocan and Rossland as well.
Season: Late April to mid-October$395 / Family of 3-6 (includes all technical gear)
Quick Taste – This is a half day version to see what rock climbing is all about - $220 / Family
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Intro Rock
Rock climbing is super fun and the West Kootenays have some great rock. Get out there and GO!
This complete introduction to the world of the vertical covers equipment, belaying, movement skills and rappelling in a full day format with a certified ACMG instructor. No special physical skills like upper body strength are required as good technique is the real key to successful climbing.
Dates:
May 6, 2012
June 9, 2012
July 15, 2012
$120 - includes all technical gear
Custom dates available mid-April to mid-October. See our Booking page for pricing.
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Rock Climbing Social
Rock Wednesdays (Wed. Night Rock Social)
Blow off some midweek steam and hook up with other local climbers in this fun après work / school climbing social! We’ll go to a new crag every Wed. evening where an ACMG guide will set up top ropes and provide coaching in a fun and safe learning environment. Opportunities for rappelling and lead climbing may exist depending on the venue and individual experience & abilities.
Don’t have a climbing partner? No worries – we’ll set you up!
Prerequisite: You must know how to belay and have some basic climbing skills. These can be acquired through our Intro Rock course.
Climbing ropes and anchoring equipment are provided. Personal equipment (rock shoes, harness, helmet & belay device) are available for rental if you do not have your own.
5:30pm meeting time at Nelson & Castlegar crags.
Dates:
Session 1 May 9, 16, 23, June 6, 2012 (no class May 30)
Session 2 June 13, 20, 27, July 4, 2012
Session 3 July 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, 2012
4 Wednesdays - $220 / person
8 Wednesdays - $415 / person
12 Wednesdays - $610 / person
Rock Climbing Advanced Courses
Leading Rock
Lead climbing opens the doors to rock freedom and paves the way to independence and challenge! Learn safe and approved techniques from a certified guide in this very comprehensive intro to leading rock. Content includes lead belays, sport leading techniques, gear placement, anchor threads and more.
You should have solid belaying skills and be comfortable top roping on outdoor rock.
Dates:
May 12, 2012
June 10, 2012
July 15, 2012
$130 - includes all technical gear
Custom dates available mid-April to mid-October. See our Booking page for pricing.
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Multipitch Rock
Multipitch climbing is the ultimate expression of the sport. Several rope lengths above the ground it is easy to get away from the crowds and closer to nature. Several skills are necessary for safe and efficient progress going up as well as down. This 2 day course covers all the essentials including leading strategies, anchor building, station management, rope handling, and multiple rappels.
Low ratios allow for specialized instruction. You should be a solid top roper with some lead climbing experience.
Season: Late April to mid-October
$265 - includes all technical gear
Custom Courses
Tailor a day of rock climbing instruction to meet your exact needs whatever they may be. Let us know what you're after and we'll set it up at the most appropriate venue. Courses generally run out of Nelson but are possible in Castlegar, Slocan and Rossland as well.
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Youth Climbing
Kids are naturally attracted to climbing. It develops flexibility, balance, and coordination along with mental focus. Climbing also builds trust and appreciation for the natural environment and may appeal more to some kids who feel unnecessarily pressured by team sports. Best of all it's just plain fun!
Youth Climbing Camps
Slocan Valley Recreation is sponsoring the following camp at the Slocan Bluffs above beautiful Slocan Lake:
Aug. 20, 21, 23 & 24, 2012
Ages 8-12 9:00am-12:00pm
Ages 13-17 12:30pm-3:30pm
Thanks to funding from the ACMG/MEC Adventure Access Program this course is offered for the incredibly low price of $85!
Price includes all technical gear
Call Slocan Valley Recreation at 250-226-0008 to book
See poster here
Guided Outings - Daytrips from Nelson
Pulpit Rock Multi-Pitch
Pulpit Peak has been a long time favourite with locals for hiking to the top of a gorgeous lookout over Nelson. Now a fantastic three pitch rock climb leads up the prow, enjoying those same views throughout. If you have rock climbing experience and know how to belay, you could get guided up this amazing route and then rappel back down or walk down the trail from the top. The climbing is moderate (mostly 5.7 with optional sections of 5.10a) and has real character with a bolted wooden ladder at one point and scenic belay ledges. Great for photo opportunities! Imagine the looks from the hikers admiring the view when you pop up beside them from the rock face!
You can savour this experience by yourself, or share it with a partner.
Trip length: Half day (3-4 hrs.)
Season: Late April to mid-October
1 Person - $200, 2 people - $115 ea.
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Brilliant Wall - Megawatts 5.8
This 8 pitch bolted climb to the top of the Brilliant Overlook in Castlegar is the longest multipitch route in the valley and has spectacular views over the Kootenay and Columbia rivers. The southern exposure means the route can be comfortably climbed earlier and later in the season, and the walk off descends the charming Overlook trail which has cabled sections where the trail steepens. A fantastic day out!
Trip length: Full day (7-8 hrs round trip from Nelson.)
Season: Late April to late October
1 Person - $350, 2 people - $200 ea.
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Ambrosia 5.8
This 4 pitch route climbs a beautiful granite slab in a quiet forested location in the Slocan Valley. The climbing is characterized by tricky friction moves interspersed with crack features. This seldom visited climb is deserving of more traffic but don’t be too disappointed if you have it all to yourself. Descent is by rappel.
Trip length: Full day (~7 hrs round trip from Nelson.)
Season: Late May to Early October
1 Person - $350, 2 people - $200 ea.
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Gimli Peak South Face 10a - Valhalla Park
Valhalla Provincial Park is a breathtaking place with giant rock spires that live up to their great names borrowed from Norse mythology. The much storied south ridge of Gimli Peak is a real prize for visiting climbers. It is considered one of the best alpine rock routes at its grade in North America. The climb is possible as a long day trip from Nelson for guests capable of seconding 5.10a trad routes.
Trip length: 13 - 16 hrs. round trip from Nelson
Season: Early June to late September
1 Person - $400, 2 people - $225 ea.
Mulitpitch Weekend - Warm up on Megawatts and then hike in to Gimli on day 1. Camp at the base and climb the Gimli South Ridge on day 2!
1 Person - $750, 2 people - $425 ea.
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Kinnard Bluffs
Castlegar's original climbing paradise. The area offers quality climbing on long routes with great views and sunny aspects. Multipitch classics like the Green Arrow (5.7) and Hail Mary (5.8) are not to be missed!
Trip length: Full or half days 
Season: Mid April to Mid October
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Guided Outings - Multiday Trips
The Valhallas
Impressive climbing on tremendous gneiss peaks. What's even more impressive is the lack of crowds in this classic West Kootenays alpine Shangri-La.
The south ridge of Gimli Peak is considered one of the classic climbs of Western Canada and is just a taste of what the area has to offer. A base camp in the scenic Mulvey basin allows for additional ascents of Gladsheim, Asgard, Midgard and Nisleheim. Not to be missed!
Trip length: 2-5 days
Season: Mid June to late September
Skaha
With over 800 climbs, Skaha offers tremendous variety for routes of all grades, both trad and sport. The warm, dry climate boasts one of the longest climbing seasons in Canada and its proximity to the Okanagan beach town of Penticton make it a fantastic climbing getaway. Whether it's progressive instruction you're after, pure guided climbing or both, Skaha is a great place to make it happen.
Trip length: 3-7 days
Season: Late April to early October
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Squamish
Unquestionably the quintessential rock climbing experience, Squamish is the Yosemite of the north. With great granite walls that tower above the valley floor, the setting is profound. Multipitch climbing is a great reason to come here, but the Little Smoke Bluffs offer incredibly classy crack climbing that is hard to beat. A week of fine Squamish stone will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
Trip length: 4-7 days
Season: Mid May to mid September
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Bow Valley Rock
Home to the longest sport route north of Mexico, the Bow Valley has it all. From the multipitch routes of EEOR and Chinaman's to the classics on Yamnuska, and the countless fun canyons filled with sport routes. Don't forget the precious quartzite at the back of Lake Louise. With so much to choose from it's hard to know where to start!
Trip length: 3-7 days
Season: Late May to late September
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Route Descriptions
Nelson Area Climbs
Click on the headings below for detailed route descriptions of new crags or new routes at old crags.
