5 Day Rock Climbing Course
A 5-day sport climbing course based from Woolshed Creek Hut, Mt Somers.
5-day rock climbing course overview
On this 5-day sport climbing course, you will learn all the skills needed to go outdoor climbing. This course includes toprope climbing, lead climbing and multi-pitch sport climbing and abseiling. This course is based out of Woolshed Hut, Mt Somers. Return transport from Christchurch and accommodation is included.
This course is suitable for recreational climbers and professional instructors working towards NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association) NZOIA Rock1 & Rock 2 awards.
Adult Price $1999* (minimum age 16 years)
Youth Price $999.* (12-15 years, accompanied by an adult)
Ask about our Family Friendly courses for ages less than 12 years.
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course; there are no prior skills or experience needed to attend this course. If you have never tried climbing before, we suggest having a go at indoor climbing or bouldering before doing this course.
Minimum age
The minimum age required to attend this course when a parent or guardian is also attending the same course is 10 years old. To attend this course without a parent or guardian, the minimum age is 16 years.
Rock climbing course location
The 5-day climbing course is an expedition-style course. This means the course is delivered in a remote location and requires hiking into a backcountry hut. Mt Somers is two hours drive from Christchurch. Getting to Woolshed Creek Hut takes most groups 1.5-2hrs walk from the car park. It is a 15-30 mins walk from the hut to the various climbing areas and swimming holes.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation at Woolshed Creek Hut is included, or you can choose to camp by the hut if you prefer camping.
Woolshed Creek Hut is a 26-bunk standard DOC hut. The hut has two bunk rooms, a large common area and a fireplace. Camping is also a good option for this course. Your camping fees are included and entitle you to use the hut facilities.
Accommodation before & after your course
Your accommodation before & after the course is not included, please book your own accommodation in Christchurch. We have some suggested accommodation options in Christchurch on our FAQ’s page. Please book in the central city or the south side of town.
FOOD
This is a self-catered course. Please bring all your food with you for the duration of the course. A full packing list is available to download at the bottom of this page. Fresh drinking water is available at Woolshed Creek Hut.
TRANSPORT
Transport is included from Christchurch.
Free transport is available from any Christchurch accommodation if you travel from town. Please book a Central City or South Christchurch accommodation.
Meeting locations
If you have your own car or can get dropped off, please meet us at one of the following locations (you can catch a ride with us from here or drive your own car to Mt Somers):
- Cashmere Road, Cashmere- opposite Princess Margaret Hospital (See on google maps)
- Salmon Tales Cafe – Rakaia. Approx 1hr from Christchurch (See on google maps)
TRAVELLING FROM OUT OF TOWN?
We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course. We have a few hotel & hostel suggestions on our FAQ’s page. Please avoid booking accommodation north or east of the City Centre. At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport. The earliest we can have you back at the airport is 5 pm.
GEAR & EQUIPMENT
You don’t need your own rock climbing gear for this course. We have all the specialist gear & equipment available for you to borrow. If you have your own gear, we encourage you to bring it along as it’s better to train with the gear that you own. A full gear list is available to download at the bottom of this page.
WHEN IS THE NEXT COURSE?
This course runs from October to April; visit our Course Calendar for course dates and bookings. If you would like to talk to someone about private training or creating a custom course, contact us today.
VISIT COURSE CALENDAR
Adult PRICE: $1999*
Youth (under18 yrs): $999*
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* This is the early bird booking price. Standard rates are available on the course calendar. Youth rates only apply when attending a course with a paying adult.
**Conditions apply for youth pricing structure. See FAQ’s page.
How many people will be on my course?
We believe that small groups are better for this type of training. So we have a maximum client-to-instructor ratio of just four clients to one instructor.
DOES THIS ROCK CLIMBING COURSE HAVE MINIMUM NUMBERS?
Yes, the minimum number for the course to proceed at the advertised price is two clients. We won’t cancel your course if we don’t meet our minimum numbers. Instead, we will offer you the following options:
a.) A shorter private course with 1-1 tuition – e.g. with one person, we can cover the course content much faster, so fewer days are needed.
b.) You will be offered to continue the course as planned and cover the extra cost.
c.) We can transfer you to another course.
This rock climbing course includes
Safety
- Climbing Calls
- Buddy checks
- Personal safety at the top of the crag
- Spotting the lead climber
- Assessing the safety of climbing routes
- Checking and assessing climbing gear for damage
Belaying
- Top rope belaying with an ATC/belay plate
- Lead belaying ATC/belay plate
- Top rope belaying with a GriGri
- Lead belaying with a GriGri
Climbing Styles coved
- Top rope Climbing
- Lead climbing/Sport climbing
- Multi-pitch sport climbing
- Multi-pitch abseiling
Climbing techniques
- Basic movement techniques/body positioning
- Footwork techniques
- Handhold techniques
- Finding rests
Climbing Anchors
- Sport-anchor (using quickdraws)
- Toprope anchor/y-shape anchor (using sling and carabiners)
- Self equalising anchors
Transitions
- Lead climbing to set up a top-rope climb for a friend
- Cleaning a climb/retrieving your gear from the top when you finish climbing
- Top rope climbing to abseil.
- Lead climbing to abseil.
Rope & Rescue skills
- Climbing knots
- Tying off a belay device
- Un-jamming a belay device
- Taking over from an injured/sick belayer
- Releasing & lowering when using a belay plate in guide/multi-pitch mode
- Un-jamming an abseil device
See what our clients have to say
“The techniques that were introduced made a massive difference to my climbing” – Samantha Taylor, Wellington
“It was a really fun week, great safe experience. will come again” – James Hoodson, Canterbury
“The best part of the course was Learning new knots and how to use equipment” Taylor Britton
COURSE DOWNLOADS
WHEN IS THE NEXT COURSE?
Rock climbing courses run from October to May. Visit our Course Calendar for scheduled course dates. Custom courses, private training & guided ascents can be arranged on alternative dates by request.
VISIT COURSE CALENDAR
BOOK NOW
