PATAGONIA | Magallanes | Ultima Esperanza
Learn the best practices for traditional climbing in a controlled environment by the hand of a certified instructor with more that 27 years of experience and training.
During this 3 day traditional climbing course you will learn how to safely belay, place gear, climb, build anchors, inspect rock quality, identify good natural protection and descend rock faces with cracks systems and features that allow for protection. You will have plenty of practice during each day to develop a solid understanding of the techniques employed during the 8 hour lessons each day.
- Day 1 - Learn the fundamentals of rock climbing safety, communication and movement. Familiarize yourself with the equipment, knots and best practices. Understand the basic concepts of gear placement, rock quality and movement technique. Plenty of practice during the day to develop safe habits of double checking and communicating properly.
- Day 2 - Learn and apply the concepts of equalization and redundancy for anchor building. Set up an equalized and redundant anchor for belaying and for top roping. Strengthen the techniques learned the previous day.
- Day 3 - Learn to aid climb by first doing a mock lead climb (simulation of lead climbing while being belayed loosely on top rope), hang on each peace you place to develop trust on your gear placements. Then do a real lead climb, clean the anchor and abseil. Plenty of practice to strengthen the techniques from the previous days.
- Your guide will contact you a few days before to coordinate details such as meeting time and place and what to bring
- On the first day of the climbing course your guide will pick you up and give you a waiver for you to read and sign, before driving to the climbing area
- Once at the climbing area your guide will give each participant the climbing gear necessary for the day (harness, helmet, shoes) In case you have your own gear, the guide will inspect it to make sure it's in good condition
- After a nice warm up hike with amazing views we arrive at the cliff base where we put our gear on and begin with the climbing course
- At the end of the daily session we put away the gear and make sure to leave the area free from anything that does not belong to the natural environment before hiking down to the campsite (if camping there) or the car to drive back to Puerto Natales
- Certified rock climbing guide and wilderness first responder
- Camping or round trip transportation from Puerto Natales
- Certified rock climbing equipment (ropes, harnesses, helmets, carabiners, etc)
- Entrance fee to privately owned climbing area
- Revised curriculum for best practices while sport climbing
- Certificate of Completion
- The participant must be in good physical and mental shape to hike between 1 and 7 kilometers with anywhere between 5 and 700 meters of elevation
- Read and sign the participant agreement and risk acceptance form
- Have the proper shoes and clothing for the terrain and meteorological conditions of Patagonia
- Have personal medical and travel insurance
- 2.5 liters of water and snacks
- Sun protection
