Rock Refresher

As low as:

$215.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio) Next Trip: May 31, 2026 (day trip)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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Add-ons

IAG Cancellation Coverage $11.00

As per our Cancellation Policy, your trip or course is 100% non-refundable as of 30 days prior to the trip/course start date. Purchasing this add-on will allow you to cancel your trip/course within that 30 day time period for reasons of injury, illness or family emergency, and will provide you with a credit for the full value of your trip/course fee which can be used on any Island Alpine Guides or Hike Vancouver Island trip or course for up to one year from the start date of the trip/course originally booked. If needed, credits can be transferred to another person of your choice. We charge a $25 admin fee in these cases.

Comox Valley Climbs Guidebook - 2024 Edition $25.00

Newly Released 2024 Edition! Covering over 300 climbs in the Comox Valley area, including local winter ice and illustrated with lots of coloured photos.

About


Refresh skills and tighten up safety systems with this one-day rock refresher course. The goal of this course is to up-date and up-grade skills to ensure best practices are being used and to maximize safety, with an emphasis on technical systems. 

This one-day course is perfect for those who have some rock-climbing experience, but is also ideal for those who wish to review rope system fundamentals prior to taking one of our mountaineering courses.

Curriculum

Curriculum is flexible and will be tailored to group needs. Typical areas to covered include (but are not limited to): 

  • Anchor building (bolts and/ or removable protection depending on desires and time available)
  • Various belay techniques
  • Backed-up rappelling techniques
  • Climbing movement 

Included in the price

  • 1 day of instruction with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear 
  • Personal technical gear (helmet, harness, etc.)

Not included in the price

  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Clothing

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Locations

 
Courses typically take place at Comox (Cumberland) Lake Crags, but Crest Creek Crags, Flemming Beach (Victoria), and Quadra Island crags are also options. If you would like to request a specific location prior to booking, please reach out. 
 
Locations will be noted on the booking tab with the corresponding date.
 
Please note that certain crags may be more suitable depending on the weather and time of year – if weather dictates that the course will be delivered more optimally elsewhere, we may provide the option of moving your course to a more suitable location. We encourage you to maintain some flexibility in your plans to allow for this possibility. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Itinerary


A typical day starts at 09:00 and ends around 17:00. Curriculum delivery will depend factors such as weather, group experience and wishes and on the instructor, but below is a general idea of what to expect:

09:00 – Meet at the location specified in your pre-trip email. The instructor will facilitate introductions and hand out any rental items that were requested in advance. Participants will then sign waivers (please note that anyone under 19 needs to have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and sent to IAG prior to the course).

The crags are usually a short hike from the parking lot. You will set up here for the day, beginning with an equipment overview and progressing through the curriculum at a pace that works for the group. Expect to finish around 17:00.

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to your course. Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Requirements


This is a refresher course, meaning you should ideally have some previous climbing experience.

Please also be prepared to:

  • Spend the day outside in variable conditions
  • Hike short distances along uneven terrain

Pre-course homework:

You may wish to practice these basic knots at home to maximize efficiency on the day: 


Each of the knots and hitches listed above are hyperlinked to an online learning resource for practice. 

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We’re happy to help you find or customize courses to suit your needs. 

Gear List 

 
Your instructor will provide all group gear (or “the rack” -- ropes, slings, carabiners, etc.). Please bring the following, and reach out if you have any questions:
 
Technical Gear

  • Harness 
  • Helmet 
  • Belay device & locking carabiner 
  • Climbing shoes 

If you require any of the items on the technical gear list, please email us to request it (along with any sizing requirements such as shoe size). 

Clothing

  • T-shirt or long-sleeve (ideally loose-fitting)
  • Pants (ideally loose-fitting, tapered at the ankle) 
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants) 
  • Mid-weight insulating jacket 
  • Approach shoes (something that will provide some support on trails to the climb)
  • Toque and/or sun hat 

Other

  • Lunch (pre-prepared) and snacks 
  • Water bottle
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended) 
  • Belay gloves (optional)
  • Chalk bag (optional)
  • Sunglasses that block 100% UV 
  • Sunscreen 
  • SPF lip balm 
  • 30L backpack (or large enough to fit all your gear + possibly some of the group gear)

If you own any additional equipment, you are encouraged to bring it along so that you can learn more about the gear you already own.

Questions? Send us an email or read our blog for advice on choosing appropriate gear. 

Testimonials

What a great day. Did the Ropes Refresher course with Island Alpine Guides yesterday. Seriously amazingly good instruction and super fun. It’s been over ten years since I played with all that gear but I felt so confident after. Debbie Lynn Bowman , Comox Valley
Just wanted to again say thank you for a wonderful day of instruction. I got so much more than I was expecting. Mark was also thrilled with the course. Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC.
It was a very successful day, despite the alternating weather. We all learned a lot of important things, especially because of the clear and calm way our guide explained everything. It was just what we needed to be safely top-roping outdoors as a group. Jorn Vorn, Victoria, BC
I think any climber who has been climbing outside should at least have their skills assessed by an ACMG guide. Jan, my guide, helped to fill in any gaps in my climbing knowledge. All the little details I didn't know surprised me. Now that I have had my skills assessed, I feel much more confidant with my decision making while on the rock. A big thank you to Island Alpine Guides and Jan Neuspiel for helping to make my rock climbing journey safer. Nevaeh, Parksville, BC