Climbing

Indoor Trad Climbing Evenings

Test your gear placements and practice trad climbing skills in a controlled indoor environment. These open climbing sessions permit the use of trad gear on the Outdoor Centre climbing wall, designed with cracks and chocks to simulate outdoor rock. Some nights are non-instructional, while others include supervision and coaching from a certified guide to permit practice trad leads (open to those who have pass Outdoor Centre lead belay test).include supervision and coaching from a certified guide to permit practice trad leads (open to those who have pass Outdoor Centre lead belay test).

Prerequisite: current Outdoor Centre top rope belay test.
Includes: access to climbing wall (free for students/members), and climbing guide where mentioned. Equipment is not included.


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Indoor Climbing Intro (Indoor Step 1)

Our friendly, knowledgeable instructors will guide you through your first climbing experience. Get hooked on this fun and challenging sport in a 2.5-hour lesson while learning all the skills needed to pass a top-rope belay test at any facility in the city. The emphasis is on climbing safely while having fun. Prerequisite: none. Includes: certified instructor and all climbing equipment.

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Intro to Lead Climbing (Indoor Step 2)

In this 2.5-hour course, our friendly, knowledgeable instructors will guide you through your first lead climbing experience.
Building on your strong foundation of top-roping climbing and belaying skills, take your climbing to the next level by learning the skills and knowledge required to pass a lead belay test at city gyms.
This is a great introduction to lead climbing indoors or a foundation for taking a full-day course outside. 

Prerequisite: Must have a strong foundation in top-rope climbing and top-rope belay systems, and be comfortable top-rope climbing 5.10- indoors.
It is recomended that have passed a top-rope belay test before taking this course.
If you are unsure if you meet the prerequisites, please contact us at ocprograms@ucalgary.ca prior to registering.
Includes: certified instructor and climbing equipment included (if needed). 


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Rock Climbing Intro (Outdoor Step 1)

Spend a day with us and get inspired to make rock climbing a lifelong passion. You’ll stay safe as you learn skills under the guidance of our enthusiastic ACMG-certified instructors. Rock climbing is one of the best sports to get fit, get social, and get outside. Using excellent local crags, our instructors will get you climbing confidently with the proper gear. You'll be set on the right route to becoming a rock climber in no time. Prerequisite: none. Includes: guide and climbing equipment.

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Lead Climbing Intro (Outdoor Step 2)

Do you know the basics of outdoor climbing and want to start leading? Or perhaps you’re already leading indoors? In this 1-day course, our highly-qualified instructors will help you perfect your skills and lead climb with confidence. Learn about guidebook interpretation, route selection and grades, placing protection, clipping and ropework, building belays, climbing movement technique, and rappelling. Prerequisite: Intro to Lead Climbing (indoor) or equivalent experience. Includes: guide and technical climbing equipment (excludes personal climbing equipment).

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Intro to Trad Climbing Weekend (Outdoor Step 3)

This 2-day course introduces fundamental skills for trad climbing including equipment options, gear placement, gear anchors, and leading strategies. You'll have the chance to build up to top-roped and supervised leads, and develop the skills to safely lead single-pitch rock climbs of your own. The skills taught in this course carry over into crack, sport, ice, and alpine climbing. Prerequisite: Lead Climbing Intro (outdoor) or equivalent experience. Includes: guide and technical climbing equipment (excludes personal climbing equipment).

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Adaptive Climbing Programs

Join us for a fun climbing session, tailored to individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities! Our goal is to create a welcoming and positive environment where participants can build their climbing skills and confidence under the guidance of our certified instructors. Through personalized instruction, participants will learn basic climbing techniques and skills that work best for their individual capabilities, ensuring a fulfilling experience for everyone.

All participants must have an aide, family member, or a friend register and attend the lesson with them.
 
The Adaptive Climbing Program by the University of Calgary is a Calgary Adapted Hub Powered by Jumpstart program. The Calgary Adapted Hub is a collective of 12 Calgary-based organizations, including the University of Calgary. The Calgary Adapted Hub is committed to providing quality inclusive and accessible sport and recreation programs for all children in Calgary. To ensure our programs are achieving this goal, our team is evaluating the impact of this program on aspects of health and wellbeing, quality of life, economic impact, and social inclusion. Our study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB18-0292) and Mount Royal University’s Human Research Ethics Board (102684). Once you are registered in the program, a qualified member of the CAH research team will contact you, providing you information about the study so you may make an informed decision about whether you would like to take part in the program evaluation.
If you would like to reach out to the CAH research team please contact Leticia Janzen at cah.research@ucalgary.ca or 403.955.5736.