OUTDOOR COURSES
You want to develop your skills on the rock? You want to learn in an all-female, female-identifying or non-binary group setting and be taught by a female, trans, non-binary or gender fluid guide? You came to the right place! Our series of courses are designed to help you learn new skills, no matter what your level is.
From 2023 onwards, we have decided to charge a nominal fee for all outdoor courses. We also encourage participants to make donations if they are in a financial position to be able to do so. Your donation directly contributes to our ability to run more outdoor courses.
Be assured though: we do not want to contribute to the issue of accessibility in climbing. For those who wish to participate but can’t afford the fee, you may apply for a bursary to have the fee waived and reimbursed. Please send us a letter answering these questions:
- Why is participating in this course offered by The B.I.G. Initiative important for you?
- How will you benefit from this bursary?
You have 1 week from the day of your reservation to send your letter to b.i.g@thebiginitiative.ca. The B.I.G. Initiative reserves the right to refuse your application for a reimbursement only after thorough evaluation of your application.
2024 DATES & LOCATIONS
*NEW* Outdoor Boulder Development Workshop *NEW*
The B.I.G Initiative is bringing the workshop 2.5 days format to a new category of outdoor course - outdoor development workshops! Here is the first of its kind outdoor boulder development workshop.
- Dates: Friday, Sept 13 to Sunday, Sept 15
- Location : Terra Perma, Harrington, QC
- Cost : $125 + taxes (includes course fees, lodging for 2 nights, and access to Terra Fest happening on Sept 20-22)
- 8-12 participants
- Instructors: Ben Bouchard & Joana Bézeau
- Gear requirements:
- Climbing shoes
- Chalk bag
- Optional gear:
- Harness
- Hollowblock or prusik cord
- Grigri
- Shunt or ascender
- Work gloves
- Course content
- How to search for new boulders and identify a site's potential
- How to establish contact with land owners
- How to plan a trail leading to the new site
- How to clean a new boulder
- Ethics and environment-friendly practices
Need a ride? Missing some required gear? For any questions, please contact b.i.g@thebiginitiative.ca.
BIPOC Intro to Outdoor Climbing (Rigaud)
- Dates: Sunday, Sept 15, 2024
- Location : Rigaud, QC
- Cost : Minimum $20 + $7 entrance fee to be paid at Rigaud
- 12 participants *must be BIPOC to apply*
- Guides: Elaiza Datar and Emma Contaoe
- Experience: Anyone from complete beginners to frequent indoor climbers looking to try climbing outdoors
- Gear requirements:
- Helmet
- Shoes
- Harness
- Chalk bag
- Course content
- Essential climbing equipment
- How to safely belay a climber
- How to lower a climber
- Learn knots and how to tie into the rope as a climber
- Safety rules in the outdoor climbing environment
- Communication in climbing
- Climbing movement tips and techniques
- Lots of climbing!
This course is for complete beginners to frequent indoor climbers looking to try climbing outdoors with a focus on providing you with an amazing climbing experience outdoors. You will learn the fundamentals of rock climbing with a rope. You will get to climb as much as you want while learning new skills. This course is exclusively for BIPOC women or BIPOC genderqueer folk.
Need a ride? Missing some required gear? For any questions, please contact elaiza@thebiginitiative.ca.
2SLGBTQ+ Intro to Rock Rescue (Bow Valley, AB)
- Dates : Saturday & Sunday, June 15-16, 2024
- Location : Bow Valley, AB
- Cost : Minimum 40$
- 6 participants
- Guide : Ren Lavergne (They/Them)
Are you a trans, non-binary, gender-queer or queer climber looking to gain knowledge in how to deal with an emergency situation in a rock climbing environment? Join ACMG Rock Guide Ren Lavergne (they/them) in the Bow Valley for a two-day Intro to Rock Rescue course. Expect a principle-focused approach and lots of hands-on practice as we review tools and systems to manage common scenarios.
Requirements
Experience : Advanced
Participants must have outdoor lead climbing experience.
Gear required :
- Backpack
- Helmet
- Harness
- Climbing shoes
- Belay device with locking carabiner (belay tube recommended)
- One personal sling/lanyard/tether or PAS to secure yourself to an anchor
- One anchor kit (120 cm sewn sling with 1 locking carabiner and 2 non-locking carabiners)
- One Sterling Hollowblock (13.5") or 1.5m x 7mm accessory cord for rappel prusik
- One 5m x 7mm accessory cord (for ascending and other rescue applications)
- One 60m single rope (One rope for each team of two)
- First aid kit
- Clothing appropriate for the day (including rain/wind layer)
- Lunch, snacks and water
- Footwear (good approach / hiking shoes)
Optional equipment :
- Quickdraws (4-6)
- Extra sewn slings
- Extra locking carabiners
- Trekking pole
- Bear spray
- Notebook and pen/pencil
Need a ride? Missing some required gear? For any questions, please contact elaiza@thebiginitiative.com
Intermediate Trad Climbing (Squamish, BC)
- Date : Saturday June 15th, 2024
- Location : Squamish, BC
- Cost : Minimum 20$
- 6 participants
- Guide : Bronwyn Hodgins
Ready to level up your trad game, challenge yourself to set harder goals and improve your physical and mental performance in a mentorship-style learning environment? At the start of the day, participants will share their goals and where they are at in their personal climbing progression. We will review safe trad practices, including gear placements and trad anchors. We will move on to tricky placements and advanced movement techniques, providing time for participants to practice these skills. In the afternoon, we will discuss the mental challenges that come with leading trad, including fear of falling and risk management.
Requirements
Experience : Recommended for competent trad leaders in the 5.7 to 5.10a range who know how to recognize and place safe trad gear.
Gear requirements :
- Climbing harness
- Helmet
- Climbing shoes
- Chalk bag
- Gri Gri
- ATC and prusik cord
- PAS (Personal attachment system - a 120cm sling and locking biner)
- Crack gloves (optional)
- Trad gear (if you have your own trad gear please bring it as it's better to practice with protection that you are familiar with).
- Nut tool (optional)
Ropes and anchor kits will be provided, as well as supplemental trad gear.
Need a ride? Missing some required gear? For any questions, please contact elaiza@thebiginitiative.com
Fear of Falling (Squamish, BC)
- Date : Saturday July 27th, 2024
- Location : Squamish, BC
- Cost : Minimum 20$
- 6 participants
- Guide : Bronwyn Hodgins
The mental aspect of climbing is not covered during a course, especially when it comes to lead climbing or multi-pitch climbing. A fear of falling (or basophobia) is surprisingly common among climbers and can often limit our climbing or prevent us from reaching certain climbing goals.
Join Bronwyn for a clinic focused on supportive group discussions, validation of fears and practice falls to increase your comfort with falling. The clinic will progress from top-rope falls to falling with protection at waist level, followed by a discussion on progression techniques.
Requirements
Experience : Participants must know how to lead climb.
Gear requirements :
- Helmet
- Shoes
- Harness
- Chalk bag
- Belay device (with 1 locking carabiner)
- Prusik 1.5-1.7m, 7mm
- Anchor building equipment (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners & 120cm or 240cm sling)
Need a ride? Missing some required gear? For any questions, please contact elaiza@thebiginitiative.com
