OUTDOOR COURSES

THE COURSES

You want to develop your skills on the rock? You want to learn in an all-female group setting and be taught by a female 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.

Courses selection will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis, while making sure to ensure diversity and representation by reserving certain spots to underrepresented communities and folks whose socio-economic situation has been a barrier to them participating in climbing outdoors.

The courses are all free, but donations to the organization are accepted to help cover the costs. The course is valued between $150 - $180 per participant. 

Through this program, we want to help encourage female guides in the industry, so all guides are paid for their expertise.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Intermediate Trad (BC) 

Ready to level up your trad game, challenge yourself to set harder goals and improve your physical and mental performance? The course will be run 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. We will also address goal setting and redpoint strategies, and introduce advanced tools like beta maps and visualization. We will choose single-pitch routes appropriate to the ability of the participants. Our focus will be on improving our physical and mental skills safely, under supervision of an experienced professional. Questions are always encouraged. Let's become stronger and wiser female trad climbers together! 
 
A summary of topics:
  • Safe trad review (gear placements and trad anchors)
  • Crack and slab movement techniques
  • Nuts and tricky placements
  • Safe falling 
  • Mental management
  • goal setting and strategies
Recommended for competent trad leaders in the 5.7-5.10a range who know how to recognize and place safe trad gear.
  • Date: Sunday Septembre 25th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Bronwyn Hodgins

APPLY NOW 

 

Rock Rescue (BC) 

This Women’s Rock Rescue Course covers high angle rock rescue techniques to help provide a good foundation of skills to problem solve and get out of trouble on single pitch and multipitch climbs. This one day course will cover: Outdoor Climbing Safety, Hazard Management & Emergency Communication, Review of Knots and Hitches, Escape the Climbing System, Hauling Systems, Technical Descents and Rappels, Rope Ascension, Self-Rescue and Strategies for Petite Rescuers.

Participants must bring: helmet, harness, belay device with guide mode, anchor material (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 120cm sling, 240cm sling), rock rescue kit (in addition to the anchor material gear – 2-4 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 2-5m 7mm cordalette, 1-1.5m 7mm cordalette or hollow block), 1 Prussik Minding Pulley & 1 Regular Pulley, and if possible a rope, micro traxion and tibloc

  • Date: Saturday Septembre 17th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Teresa Yau

APPLY NOW 

 

 

PAST EVENTS

BIPOC Women Intro to Rock Climbing (AB) 

We are excited to announce a collaboration between The B.I.G Initiative & Soul of Miistaki to offer a BIPOC women intro to rock climbing course! Join us in Kananaskis, Alberta for a full day (9 am to 4 pm) of fun in the mountains.

No experience is needed and all climbing gear is graciously provided by Gear Up Canmore. 

Participants should bring : hiking boots or running shoes to walk to the climbing area, a rain jacket, warm layers (toque, gloves, insulated jacket), sunglasses, sunscreen and a backpack that will fit your clothing and lunch for the walk. We also recommend bringing at least 1-2L of water and a packed lunch with snacks.

Exceptionally, there is a fee of 40$ for this course. If you cannot afford the fee, please write to us and let us know.

  • Date: Sunday August 21st, 2022
  • Location: Wasootch Crag, Kananaskis, AB (to be confirmed a few days before)
  • Cost: 40$ (if you are unable to pay, email soulofmiistaki@gmail.com)
  • Limited spots available
  • Guide: Cassie Ayoungman
  • Age : 16+

*The term BIPOC refers to black, indigenous and people of color.

 

Camping & Climbing Retreat (QC) 

In collaboration with Climbing Escapes and MEC, we are organising a weekend adventure of camping and climbing in collaboration with MEC. Come and enjoy an exciting day of rock climbing with certified climbing instructors, delicious vegetarian meals, fun and relaxation in nature and the perfect opportunity to experience something new with women+ you can relate to.

What's included: 

- 1 night of camping Friday night (choice to sleep in a shared hut or in a tent)
- 1 full day Saturday of introduction to top rope rock climbing 
- Camping gear (except for sleeping bag with the possibility of rental)
- Climbing gear (harness, helmet, climbing shoes, belay device)
- Transportation with Navette Nature from Montreal and back (departing from MEC Marché Central at 6pm on Friday)
- All meals (1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and snacks)
- Guaranteed fun!! 

No experience in climbing is required. The course level is beginner and intermediate - the climbing wall offers multiple levels of difficulty.
Participants must be above the age of 18 and identify as a woman+. The course is offered in english and in french.
 
  • Date: July 22nd to 23rd (Friday night to Saturday night)
  • Location: Montagne d'Argent, La Conception
  • Cost: 60$
  • 12 participants
  • Guide: Emma Contaoe & another certified guide

 

Transition to Outdoor Climbing (QC) 

Are you a gym climber looking to try your skills on real rock? Join guide Andréanne Vallières in Val-David for a Transition to Outdoor Climbing course. You will learn belay techniques and basic movements in outdoor climbing. You will learn how to make your own belays, belay at the top of the wall in order to access your anchors and more specifically, practice the notions related to rappelling. This is the perfect time to challenge yourself or try something completely new in a safe and supervised environment. 

  • Date: Saturday July 16th (in case of rain: Sunday July 17th)
  • Location: Mont-King, Val-David, QC
  • Cost: FREE (donations accepted)
  • 8 participants
  • Guide: Andréanne Vallières

 

Transition to Outdoor Climbing (AB) 

Are you a gym climber looking to try your skills on real rock? Join guide Teresa Yau in the Bow Valley for a Transition to Outdoor Climbing course. The goals of this course is to empower you with the skills, knowledge, and hands on experience to feel confident rock climbing outside and to teach you how to do it all safely.

Participants should bring their own helmet, harness, climbing shoes, belay devide with locking carabiner, 60m rope with rope bag, anchor material (120-240 cm sewn sling, 2 locking carabiners and 2 non-locking carabiners), extra locking carabiner and quickdraws if they have any.

  • Date: Saturday July 16th
  • Location: Bow Valley, AB
  • Cost: FREE (donations accepted)
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Teresa Yau

 

Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing (BC) 

Interested in taking your climbing to the bigger cliffs? Looking to gain the skills and confidence to feel more comfortable in multi-pitch terrain? This one-day Women's Intro to Multipitch will set you on the right track.
 
We will begin by reviewing trad climbing basics including: safe gear placements, lead belaying, rappelling and bolted anchor systems. We will then move on to the fundamentals of multi-pitch including: multipitch theory and terminology, building trad anchors and managing pitch transitions. We will wrap up the day by discussing some advanced techniques for smoother transitions and rope management to help you move safely and efficiently up a long route.
 
Prerequisites: participants are expected to have significant outdoor climbing experience and be comfortable with single-pitch trad climbing and rappelling systems. Participants are highly encouraged to have experience leading trad, while experience in multipitch terrain will be helpful but is not required.
  • Date: Sunday May 8th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: $180 per participant ("pay what you can" sliding scale)
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Bronwyn Hodgins

 

Intro to Drytooling (QC) 

Come and learn drytooling with Nathalie Fortin. Nathalie is a passionate ice climber and drytooler! This drytooling clinic for women is a chance to try a unique and different activity! Drytooling is the use of ice axes on rock. It's an activity that allows you to climb outdoors, rain or shine. It also allows you to prepare for the ice season and not be caught off guard when parts of ice routes have rock.

Participants must know how to belay. You must bring your own harness, belay device and helmet. Climbing will be done without crampons. We will use climbing shoes with hotshots left inside them between climbs. You can use good walking shoes or boots with a good grip too but it is easier with climbing shoes. The entrance to the park is 12$.

  • Date: Saturday November 13th
  • Location: Montagne d'argent (La Conception), QC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 9 participants
  • Guide: Nathalie Fortin

 

Intro to Outdoor Climbing (ON) 

Are you a gym climber looking to try your skills on real rock? Join PCGI SPG guide Kate Stewart at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area for Crag Orientation. Climbers will have the opportunity to try outdoor rock climbing, learn how to safely transition indoor climbing skills to an outdoor environment, and learn new skills and etiquette required for responsible outdoor climbing. 
 
Participants should bring their own harness and climbing shoes. A helmet and all other equipment will be provided.
  • Date: October 24th
  • Location: Rattlesnake Point, Milton, ON
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Kate Stewart

 

Rock Rescue (BC) 

This Women’s Rock Rescue Course covers high angle rock rescue techniques to help provide a good foundation of skills to problem solve and get out of trouble on single pitch and multipitch climbs. This one day course will cover: Outdoor Climbing Safety, Hazard Management & Emergency Communication, Review of Knots and Hitches, Escape the Climbing System, Hauling Systems, Technical Descents and Rappels, Rope Ascension, Self-Rescue and Strategies for Petite Rescuers.

Participants must bring: helmet, harness, belay device with guide mode, anchor material (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 120cm sling, 240cm sling), rock rescue kit (in addition to the anchor material gear – 2-4 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 2-5m 7mm cordalette, 1-1.5m 7mm cordalette or hollow block), 1 Prussik Minding Pulley & 1 Regular Pulley, and if possible a micro traxion and tibloc

  • Date: October 17th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Teresa Yau

 

Intro to Leading Trad (BC) 

Join professional climber and ACMG Rock Guide, Bronwyn Hodgins, for a one-day Intro to Leading Trad course in Canada's trad climbing mecca, Squamish! During the course, participants will learn how to recognize safe gear placements and will practice both cleaning and placing their own gear. Everyone will have a chance to mock lead -- lead with the security of a top rope as back up -- a traditionally protected climb, with Bronwyn providing insightful feedback on their placements and gear spacing. We will also review bolted anchor set-ups and build gear anchors together. Participants must have outdoor climbing experience and are recommended to have some experience leading sport routes and/or following trad. By the end of the course, participants will have an understanding of the risks and hazards in trad climbing, and be able to safely lead a traditionally protected single pitch on their own!

Participants must have their own personal equipment (harness, shoes, helmet). All other equipment will be provided.

  • Date: October 16th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Bronwyn Hodgins

 

Intro to Trad Climbing (BC) 

This Intro to Trad Climbing course for women consists mainly of ground school, where the basics of climbing will be reviewed and trad equipment and gear will be introduced. Climbers will learn how to place gear, build and assess anchors, manage rope, and follow and mock lead single pitch trad climbs.

Participants must bring: helmet, harness, belay device, climbing shoes, chalk bag, rope, trad gear, a few draws & nut tool, anchor building material (2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 120cm sling and 240cm sling)

  • Date: October 9th
  • Location: Squamish, BC
  • Cost: FREE
  • 6 participants
  • Guide: Teresa Yau