Pre-requisites: Participants should be climbing outdoors and comfortable in single pitch environments.

This course is designed to be an introduction to the world of Self Rescue and to help participants answer that age old climbing question “What if?”

The techniques and skills covered in this course reflect commonly used practices designed to increase the likelihood of success should an emergency or Self Rescue situation arise. Whenever possible, course materials are laid out in a progressive approach where less-technical skill sets begin to build and compound into multi-step techniques.

There is no substitution for practice. Upon the completion of this course, participants will have been exposed to a variety of skills ranging from basic to moderate/advanced. It is the responsibility of each individual to take the knowledge here-in and practice, and apply it, using their best judgement and to the best of their ability. Additionally, your development and mastery of these skills helps to strengthen our climbing community as a whole.

With the increasing popularity of the sport of rock climbing comes the increased likelihood that you, or the climbers around you, may benefit from this knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to cultivate these elements of safety into our inherently dangerous sport. Happy climbing.

Equipment needed:
Harness
Climbing shoes
Helmet
Belay Device
6 Locking carabiners
6 Non-locking carabiners
2, Double length slings
2, 18’ Cordelettes
2 x 7mm Prusik Loops

Instructor Bio: Brendan Konowal

Brendan was first introduced to the sport of climbing at an early age and has been both a student and teacher of climbing for nearly 20 years. He caught the serious “climbing bug” around 2000’ with his first foray into traditional lead climbing in the hills of West Virginia’s Seneca Rocks, an experience he can recount to this day. Brendan believes that to be the best climber you can be, you must be well acquainted with all forms of climbing. But while he holds a love and appreciation for many of climbing’s disciplines, he always seems to find himself uniquely drawn to the beauty and intensity of higher multi-pitch summits.

It was this love of being high off the ground, challenged to the very core and connected to something deeper, that would fuel his passion for adventure, and ultimately lead him down a career path that would allow him to share his passion with others. It wasn’t long after pursuing university studies in outdoor education that the art of climbing instruction naturally followed suit. Brendan began to hone and focus his skills both as a climber and as a teacher and soon found himself working in a professional setting high above the ground.

Over the years he has taught in many climbing venues from indoor rock gyms to multi-pitch summits. His professional teaching/guiding experience is focused around top-rope, sport, and multi-pitch traditional climbing up to grade III-IV. Brendan holds a B.S. degree in Parks and Resource Management, has held certifications from a variety of organizations including the AMGA, SOLO, and the American Red Cross, and has spent many years reinforcing his skills with real life experience.

If asked about why he climbs, Brendan would likely say something like: “It’s funny, not much else has brought me so close to the beauty and essence of life, while at the same time almost killing me.”