7 Day Rock Climbing Course
Learn to climb on our 7-day rock climbing course.
7-day rock climbing course overview
Our 7-day climbing course combines our 2-day intro to climbing course with our 5-day expedition-style Mt Somers climbing adventure. On this comprehensive sport climbing course, you will learn everything you need to know to become a safe and efficient climber. The first 2 days are spent learning all the basic skills in Christchurch before heading into Wool Shed Creek, Mt Somers for a further 5-days of climbing.
This course includes toprope climbing, lead climbing, multi-pitch sport climbing, abseiling and basic rock and rope rescue skills. Return transport from Christchurch and accommodation at Woolshed Creek Hut 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.
Prerequisites
You do not need any prior experience to attend this course.
Rock climbing course location
Our 7-day climbing course is split across two locations. The first two days are delivered on the Port Hills in Christchurch. We meet at Mt Pleasant Yhat Club/Scott Park on the first day (see on google maps), from here it’s only a 15min drive to our climbing area.
On day three we head into Woolshed Creek Hut, Mt Somers. Where we spend the rest of our time climbing at the various crags (climbing areas). Mt Somers is two hours drive from Christchurch. Walking into Woolshed Creek Hut takes most groups 1.5-2hrs from the car park. From the hut, it’s just a 10-30 min walk to the various climbing areas and swimming holes.
Transport from Christchurch to Mt Somers and your accommodation at Woolshed Creek Hut is included.
ACCOMMODATION
Days 1 & 2
Your accommodation on Saturday night and Sunday night is included in the course. We stay at Living Springs at the head of Lyttleton Harbour, about 30 mins from Christchurch city. Please bring a sleeping bag a pillow.
Days 3-6
Woolshed Creek Hut, Included. Woolshed Creek Hut is a 26 bunk standard DOC hut. The hut has 2 bunk rooms, a large common area and a fireplace. Camping is also a good option for this course. Camping fees are included if you choose this option.
Day 7
Last day, the course finishes in Christchurch at 5:00 pm.
Accommodation before & after your course
Your accommodation before the course is not included, please book your own accommodation in Christchurch. We have some suggested accommodation options on our FAQ’s page. Please try and book in the central city or south side of town. We are happy to collect you from and drop you directly from the airport if required.
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 and Living Springs. For the first two evenings, you will have access to a kitchen for self-catering, or you may choose to buy dinner from the local pub.
TRANSPORT
Free transport is available from any Christchurch accommodation if you’re travelling from out of town to attend one of our courses. 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 on the first day at the following location (you can catch a ride with us from here or drive your own car up to the climbing area):
- Mt Pleasant Yacht Club / Scott Park (entrance off Main Road, Mt Pleasant) (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 time 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, get in touch with us today.
VISIT COURSE CALENDAR
PRICE: $1999*
BOOK NOW
* This is the early bird booking price, standard rates available on the course calendar.
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
- Top rope Climbing
Lead Climbing at Mt Somers - 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
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, though. 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 with the course as planned and cover the extra cost.
c.) We can transfer you to another course.
See what our clients have to say
“The techniques that were introduced made a massive difference to my climbing” – Samantha Taylor, Wellington
“Really fun weekend, great safe experience. will come again” – James Hoodson, Canterbury
“My favorite part of the course was learning how to abseil” John Higgins, Nelson
“A fantastic course provided by enthusiastic friendly and passionate teacher” Andy Sreath, Wellington
COURSE DOWNLOADS
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, get in touch with us today.
VISIT COURSE CALENDAR
PRICE: $1999*
BOOK NOW
* This is the early bird booking price, standard rates available on the course calendar.
