Squamish is where climbers take the next step. Here, sweeping granite walls rise from deep forests and the waters of Howe Sound—clean cracks, splitter corners, and sculpted faces that have inspired generations. This program is designed for climbers who understand the basics of belaying and movement but are ready to expand into the world of lead climbing and multi-pitch systems. With the dramatic walls of Squamish as your classroom and an American Alpine Institute instructor guiding your progression, you’ll build the confidence, judgment, and technical skills required to move safely and efficiently on longer routes.
The opening days focus on the building blocks of traditional protection and anchor systems. Through hands-on practice with passive, active, and hybrid gear, you’ll refine your placements and learn how to construct both simple and more complex anchors. From there, the course transitions into lead-specific skills: lead belaying, clipping, hazard awareness, and managing the mental aspects of taking the sharp end. Students progress from mock leads to easy real leads under the close supervision of their guide, developing both trust in their gear and the composure needed for real climbs.
As you gain confidence, the curriculum shifts into mini-pitching, where you’ll link short pitches to simulate the flow and decision-making required on longer routes. You’ll practice mid-face anchors, efficient rope management, bringing up a second, and swapping leads—all essential techniques for smooth multi-pitch climbing. With these foundations set, the team moves on to a simple multi-pitch day, giving you a first taste of putting the pieces together on real terrain.
The latter part of the program dives into the complexities of multi-pitch route planning and execution. You’ll learn to interpret climbing topos, choose appropriate objectives, manage transitions at belay stations, and apply a variety of descent strategies. The final three days are dedicated to full multi-pitch practicums on Squamish’s classic routes, providing ample time to integrate your skills, build speed and efficiency, and gain the confidence that comes from moving high above the valley on sustained granite.
By the end of this eight-day progression, you will have transformed from a climber with basic movement skills into someone capable of leading, strategizing, and problem-solving on real multi-pitch climbs. For those ready to rise above the crags and experience the soaring granite of Squamish, this program is an inspiring and empowering next step.
Curriculum