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WANNA CLIMB OUTSIDE?

On The Rocks climbing gym was built on the foundation of providing an authentic climbing experience. It doesn't get more authentic than climbing on real rock in the great outdoors, and we're thrilled to be offering outdoor climbing experiences. Whether you're a complete beginner or a veteran to the sport, we have the program for you to advance your skills. Explore guided rock days, gym to crag courses, or learning to lead. Here's to the adventurous. To the nature lovers. To the bold and the brave. Let's explore our outdoor playground together. Keep scrolling to discover which outdoor program is best for you. 

GUIDED
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For the brand-new climber who wants a guided outdoor experience 

Guided Day of Climbing

Have you always wanted to try outdoor climbing, but you don't have your own gear and don’t know where to start? Sit back, relax, and let our guides lead you on a fun and safe adventure at our local crags.

 

You will be introduced to the gear, shown the basics of top rope climbing, and learn some basic climbing techniques along the way. Enjoy several climbs and possibly learn to rappel.

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Details

$200 per climber

Max 6 participants

Min 2 participants to run

6:1 ratio participant to guide

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Includes:

  • Personal climbing gear (rental helmet, harness, climbing shoes, belay device) *feel free to bring your own if you have it.

  • Group climbing gear (ropes, carabiners, anchor building materials)

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Not included

  • Food

  • Water/drinks (note there is nowhere to refill your water at the crags so bring plenty)

  • Clothing (bring warm layers, layers for sun and layers for rain… it’s the coast and the weather can change in minutes. For climbing wear clothes that allow for movement but ones you also don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring comfortable closed toe footwear for the hike and instructional sessions like runners or approach shoes)

  • Transport to and from the crags

  • Misc items you might want to bring along (sunscreen, hat, lip balm, backpack)

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9:00am: Meet your guide in the designated parking lot

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9:15am: Walk to the rock bluff via the well-maintained trail network

 

9:30am: Gear + safety orientation

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10:00am: Climb

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Climb some more with the option to rappel

 

4:30pm: Return to parking lot 

Sample Itinerary

2025 DATES

  1. Sunday May 18

  2. Sunday June 8

  3. Saturday July 12

  4. Sunday August 3

  5. Saturday August 30

  6. Sunday September 14

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For the complete beginner to learn the ropes in an outdoor setting

How to Top Rope Outdoors

Designed for the complete beginner that wants to get into the sport of climbing outdoors.

 

You will learn:

  • Gear orientation

  • Harness and helmet fitting

  • Climbing knots

  • How to belay

  • How to build a top rope anchors (set up the ropes)

  • Reading and using a guidebook

  • Selecting climbs

  • Clean the anchor (take down the ropes)

  • Gear maintenance

  • Plan a day of climbing at the crags.

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Details

$430 per climber

Max 6 participants

Min 2 participants to run

6:1 participant to guide

​

Included:

  • group climbing gear (ropes, carabiners, anchor building materials)

​​

Not included:

  • Personal climbing gear (helmet, climbing shoes, Climbing harness, and belay device)

 

Don’t have it your own gear? 

  1. Rent a package of gear from On The Rocks for $25 for the course (helmet, harness, shoes, belay device) 

  2. Purchase a gear package from On The Rocks and receive a once-only 15% discount on your own brand-new kit.

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What to bring? 

  • Food for the day

  • Water/drinks (note there is nowhere to refill your water at the crags so bring plenty).

  • Clothing (bring warm layers, layers for sun and layers for rain… it’s the coast and the weather can change in minutes.) For climbing wear clothes that allow for movement but ones you also don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring comfortable closed toe footwear for the hike and instructional sessions like runners or approach shoes.

  • Transport to and from the crags/gym or accommodation.

  • Misc items you might bring along… Sunscreen, sun hat, lip balm and a day pack to carry your items.

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Sample Itinerary

Day 1

9:00am: Meet at On The Rocks Climbing gym in Campbell River

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9:15am: Learn introductory skills (belaying, knots, climbing commands) 

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Lessons (how to build top rope anchor)

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3:00pm: Rappel and lowering introduction

 

5:00pm: Wrap up 

 

*Bring all your gear and lunch even though we are inside for the day.​

Day 2

9:00am: Meet your guide in the designated parking lot for gear orientation.

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9:15am: Walk to the rock bluff via the well-maintained trail network

 

9:30am: Topos and route finding ID 

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11:00am: Anchor building outside 

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Anchor building, rappel + lowering, gear maintenance 

 

5:00pm: Return to parking lot 

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2025 DATES

  1. Saturday May 31 – Sunday June 01

  2. Saturday July 26 – Sunday July 27

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For the indoor climber who wants to explore the crags

Gym to Crag

Who it's for:

  1. You're a gym climber and, now that the sun is out, you want to learn to climb in the great outdoors

  2. You learned to climb through a friend and you want to ensure that what you've learned is correct and safe

  3. It's been a while since you have climbed outside and you need a quick refresher to dust off the old skills.

 

This one-day course will take your gym climbing/belaying skills and add on what you need to top rope outside.

 

You will learn:

  • Reading guidebooks

  • Crag etiquette

  • Hazard assessment and mitigation

  • Top rope anchor building off bolted stations (setting up the ropes)

  • Clean the anchor (take down the ropes) 

  • Rappel or lower

  • Gear maintenance

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Details

  • $220 per climber

  • Max 6 participants

  • Min 2 participants to run

  • 6:1 ratio
    ​

Included:

  • group climbing gear (ropes, carabiners, anchor building materials) 

​​

Not included:

  • Personal climbing gear (helmet, climbing shoes, Climbing harness, and belay device)

 

Don’t have your own gear? 

  1. Rent a package of gear from On The Rocks for $25 for the course (helmet, harness, shoes, belay device) 

  2. Purchase a gear package from On The Rocks and receive a once-only 15% discount on your own brand-new kit.

​

What to bring:

  • Food for the day

  • Water/drinks (note there is nowhere to refill your water at the crags so bring plenty).

  • Clothing (bring warm layers, layers for sun and layers for rain… it’s the coast and the weather can change in minutes.) For climbing wear clothes that allow for movement but ones you also don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring comfortable closed toe footwear for the hike and instructional sessions like runners or approach shoes.

  • Transport to and from the crags/gym or accommodation.

  • Misc items you might bring along… Sunscreen, sun hat, lip balm and a day pack to carry your items.

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Requirements

  1. Must know how to top rope belay/belay certificate at your local climbing gym.

Sample Itinerary

9:00am: Meet your guide in the designated parking lot for gear orientation.

​

9:15am: Walk to the rock bluff via the well-maintained trail network

​

9:30am: Lessons (knots, anchor building)

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Lessons (directional anchors, belaying outside, rappelling) 

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3:00pm: Get some climbs in if time allows 

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4:30pm: Gear maintenance and clean up

 

5:00pm: Return to parking lot â€‹

2025 DATES

  1. Saturday May 17

  2. Saturday June 7

  3. Sunday June 15 

  4. Sunday July 13

  5. Saturday August 2

  6. Sunday August 31

After the Gym to Crag course you will feel confident to safely top rope at your local crags.
TOP ROPE
GYM TO CRAG
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For the aspiring trad and sport climber

Learn to Lead

Who it's for:

So, you have done a bunch of top rope climbing both indoors and outdoors and now you want to learn to lead climb. Instead of taking two expensive courses (one sport climbing and one Trad climbing), this course will teach you all you need to know to lead climb both sport and trad over a two-day period

 

You will learn:

  1. Climb selection and reading the guidebook specifically for leading

  2. Proper lead belaying with both an assisted braking device (Gri Gri) and Stitch Plate device (ATC)

  3. Rope skills and strategic management for both belaying and lead climbing

  4. Gear placement and clipping techniques

  5. A bolted anchor building refresher

  6. How to take and catch falls

  7. How to clean a lead climb at the end of the day

  8. Gear care and maintenance for lead.

Details

  • $495 per climber

  • Max 4 participants

  • Min 2 participants

  • 4:1 client ratio to guide
     

Included:

  • Group climbing gear (ropes, carabiners, anchor building materials climbing protection/trad rack and quick draws)

    *Feel free to bring your own gear if you have some, so you can get acquainted with your personal gear.
     

Not included:

  • Personal climbing gear (helmet, climbing shoes, Climbing harness, and belay device)

 

Don’t have it your own gear? 

  1. Rent a package of gear from On The Rocks for $25 for the course (helmet, harness, shoes, belay device) 

  2. Purchase a gear package from On The Rocks and receive a once-only 15% discount on your own brand-new kit.

​

What to bring:

  • Food for the day

  • Water/drinks (note there is nowhere to refill your water at the crags so bring plenty).

  • Clothing (bring warm layers, layers for sun and layers for rain… it’s the coast and the weather can change in minutes.) For climbing wear clothes that allow for movement but ones you also don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring comfortable closed toe footwear for the hike and instructional sessions like runners or approach shoes.

  • Transport to and from the crags/gym or accommodation.

  • Misc items you might bring along… Sunscreen, sun hat, lip balm and a day pack to carry your items.

​

​

Requirements

  1. Must be 13 or older (direct parent supervision required for anyone under 19)

  2. Can belay a tope rope climber and or have a top rope belay certificate at your local climbing gym.

  3. Can confidently top rope up to 5.9 inside and/or outside

  4. Can construct a top rope anchor on bolts (if not check out or one day gym the crag program)
     

Recommended:

  1. It is highly recommended that you have taken On The Rock “How to Top Rope Outdoors course” or the “Gym To Crag program” prior to the lead course as this course teaches advanced skills that require a well-honed base level of rope skills.​

  2. You already have your indoor lead climbing certification (please let us know this prior to your course).

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

9:00am: Meet your guide in the designated parking lot for gear orientation.

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9:15am: Walk to the rock bluff via the well-maintained trail network

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9:30am: Anchor on bolts review 

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11:00am: Lessons on topos, gear, and rope work, lead considerations

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Lead belaying, falling, and mock leads

 

5:00pm: Return to parking lot 

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Day 2

9:00am: Meet your guide in the designated parking lot

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9:15am: Walk to the rock bluff via the well-maintained trail network

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9:30am: Trad gear intro

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11:00am: Natural anchors lesson 

 

12:30pm: Stop for lunch

 

1:00pm: Rappel/lowering, mock leads

 

5:00pm: Return to parking lot 

2025 DATES

  1. Saturday June 21 – Sunday June 22

  2. Saturday July 19 – Sunday July 20

  3. Saturday August 16 – Sunday August 17

*Transportation and accommodation are not included but there are options. Camping is available at a climber’s camp just outside the park beside the Heber River, at Buttle lake provincial campground, and there is also a campground in Gold River. Rooms/Hotels/Cabins can be rented in Gold River or at Strathcona Park Lodge.

LEARN TO LEAD
MULTI-PITCH

Other available courses

1. Multi-Pitch Climbing
2. Rock Rescue 

​Use the form below to discuss prerequisites and logistics for any of these custom courses. 

Thanks for submitting!

Meet your Instructor

Bill Phipps 

As well as instructing, Bill is the manager of On the Rocks Climbing gym. Bill has been climbing for over 30 years and professionally teaching/guiding for over 20. Besides OTR, Bill also works as a mountain and rock-climbing instructor for a Guides Training Program at Strathcona Park lodge; as a ski guide; and an avalanche course instructor. Bill was a ski patroller (avalanche forecaster) at Mt Washington for 16 years, wrote the Vancouver Island Public Avalanche Bulletin and worked as a field tech for Avalanche Canada. Bill has been climbing/teaching and route developing at Crest Creek crags for a long time but he has also climbed all over the world with trips to Europe (Czech republic, Germany, Switzerland), Asia (Nepal and Thailand) The US (Red Rocks, Indian Creek, Yosemite, Smith Rocks, Trout Creek and Joshua Tree), and Western Canada (Bannf, Canmore, Skaha and Squamish). Bill loves to teach climbing almost as much as he loves to climb. He pursued a High School teaching degree with a double major in Geography and Physical Education and soon found his passion for climbing at age 21. Bill was a member of the Campbell River Search and Rescue, gaining certification in Rope Rescue, Mountain Rescue, Swift Water Rescue and Organized Avalanche Rescue. Bill’s stoke to share his love of climbing will be quickly evident and his well-organized step by step teaching style makes learning fun and easy.

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