Getting outdoors this summer and wanting to learn some basic rescue techniques? Girth Hitch Guiding will  be hosting their Rock Safe Weekend to kick off the season.

Rock Safe is a 2-day foundational safety and rescue course designed to give climbers the essential skills needed to manage risk, build secure anchors, and respond effectively to common rock climbing emergencies. Through a balance of technical instruction and hands-on practice, participants gain confidence in their knots, anchor systems, rescue procedures, and overall preparedness in outdoor climbing environments.

The course emphasizes clear decision-making, hazard assessment, and practical rescue operations. Participants learn how to recognize problems early, avoid them through good planning, and respond with systematic, reliable techniques when situations require intervention. By the end of the program, climbers will have the competence to build solid anchors, execute simple raises and lowers, escape the belay, and apply sound judgment in the field.

Pre-Requisite: Able to Sport Climb 5.7 and extensive outdoor experience

Cost: 2 days - $418 +GST

Accommodation: This coincides with the ACC Club House Take Over. You will need to sign up for accommodation directly with that posting. Registration and details: here: https://calendar.accedmonton.ca/Event/Detail?eventId=536

Gear listing will be shared by Girth Hitch after signing up.

Activity Hazards – MUST READ BEFORE REGISTERING

Participating in this activity involves many risks, dangers and hazards that could result in injury, death, paralysis, property damage, or loss to me or other third parties. These risks, dangers, and hazards may include, but are not limited to those listed below. Please review them carefully before registering.

• Terrain is uncontrolled, unmarked and not inspected, and may include:

• Cornices

• Crevasses

• Cliffs

• Trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps

• Creeks

• Rocks and Boulders

• Holes and depressions below the snow surface

• Variable and difficult snow conditions

• Variable and difficult walking terrain 

• Snowcat roads and road banks

• Fences and other man-made structures

• Snow immersion

• Impact or collision with other persons vehicles or objects

• Extreme variation in trails or terrain

• Encounters with domestic or wild animals

• Loss of balance or control

• Slips trips and falls

• Becoming lost or separated from one's group 

• Rockfall 

• Rockfall can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking). 

• Falls and Belaying 

• Rock climbing presents the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground, which can lead to injury or death

• The risk of belay failure is also present which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall

• Equipment failure, including equipment associated with climbing, rappelling and belaying

• Communication, rescue and medical treatment

• Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available 

• Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field

• If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow

• Personal injury includes:

• Sprains

• Strains

• Shock

• Stress

• Nausea

• Food borne illness

• Diarrhea

• Burns

• Cuts

• Abrasions

• Fractured or broken bones

• Impalement

• Drowning

• Hypothermia

• Loss of limbs

• Frostbite

• Sunstroke

• Sunburn

• Dehydration

• Illness

• Soft tissue injuries

• Neck, head and brain injury

• Paralysis

• Psychological injury

• Other injury to the body;

• Other

• Slips, trips and  falls both outdoors and indoors

• Changing weather conditions including but not limited to High winds, lightning, forest fires

• Effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema

• Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact

• Equipment failure

• Incomplete warnings or instructions

• Negligent first aid

• Negligence of other people, including trip coordinator and other guests

• Negligence includes failure on the part of ACC Guides (if applicable) to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards of wilderness activities.

Refunds can only be made once you find another person willing to take your spot.

Min. 4  persons required for this course to proceed.