Rock Dimensions' Bulletin Board - Teen Climbing Camp

This 5-day climbing camp is geared toward youth between the ages of 13 and 18 who have an interest and enthusiasm for rock climbing. The climbing days are designed for beginners and those who have some basic experience in a gym or outdoors, with opportunities for more intermediate routes. Even within a range of abilities, participants will find themselves challenged physically and mentally. Individualized instruction will cater to the participants’ skill levels. The camp will follow a progression of skills that are reinforced and built on throughout the five days. Rock Dimensions’ camps are designed to be a positive and memorable experience by providing healthy interaction between peers, individual goal setting, and challenges that lead to personal growth. The week will also satisfy a hunger for climbing, adventure, or just being in the outdoors!

2010 DATES: June 28-July 2, July 12-16, July 26-30

LOCATION:

• Climbing Tower at Footsloggers (downtown Boone, NC) • Linville Gorge and Table Rock area (Pisgah National Forest)** • Local climbing areas near Boone (National Park Service)** **Rock Dimensions is permitted for guiding in Pisgah National Forest and areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participants will meet Rock Dimensions guides at our location at Footsloggers in Boone each morning at 8:00 A.M., and at the end of the day between 4:30 and 5:00 P.M. each day. Transportation to and from activity sites is provided. Rock Dimensions will provide all climbing gear, including a harness, helmet and climbing shoes for each participant. Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch, water, small backpack, appropriate clothing, and personal items like sun block, etc.

PRE-CAMP PLANNING:

Participants will receive the following information in their registration packet--

Medical Form

Liability Agreement

Clothing / Equipment List

Directions

COST:

$575/person

$325/person for half week (first 3 days)
Includes a Rock Dimensions t-shirt.
* Anyone interested in participating in just the last two days of camp should call to discuss pricing and pre-requisite skills/experience.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The initial schedule allows for some flexibility while still providing a reasonable progression of skills and climbing experiences. There may be some changes to the actual schedule that is followed depending on weather, abilities of participants, and other circumstances.

The experiences of the first three days of climbing will help determine the outline and locations for the last two days.

DAY ONE
Instruction/review and climbing on the Footsloggers climbing tower in downtown Boone. Climbing and rappelling at a rock site close to Boone.

Learn to put on a harness, tie knots, belay, use verbal commands, and explore basic climbing movement.

Routes in the 5.5 - 5.9 range of difficulty (beginner-intermediate level). More technical climbing available for those who need more of a challenge. Slab, vertical or free-hanging rappels.

DAY TWO
Shiprock

Routes in the 5.5-5.10 range of difficulty (beginner - intermediate level, depending on participant abilities).

Focus on climbing technique, rappelling, and belaying with a little more exposure.

DAY THREE
Bouldering and Sport Climbing

Experiment with harder climbing moves using bouldering pads and "spotters" to help protect a fall. Learn proper techniques for spotting and practice down climbing.

Climbers will be challenged while toproping sport routes that RD guides have led. More experienced climbers will have the opportunity to "mock lead" while on toprope to learn the skills of clipping bolts.

DAY FOUR
Table Rock

Ground school training for multi-pitch climbing
Traditional style multi-pitch routes ranging from 200-500 ft. of climbing. Rappels or hike back down to the ground.

DAY FIVE
Table Rock or the Amphitheater, Linville Gorge

More multi-pitch climbing building on the experiences of the previous day.
Routes in the Amphitheater involve a longer approach.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS:

Belay means to stop a fall using the rope inside a locking or friction device.
In Toprope Climbing the rope is always above the climber to arrest a possible fall. Rock Dimensions uses a “sling shot belay”, which means the belayer is on the ground and can see the climber at all times. This method allows the belayer and the climber to maintain verbal communication.
Rappelling is a controlled descent down a cliff using rope and friction equipment. Rock Dimensions always belays the rappelling clients down to the ground to ensure their safety in case they fail to use the equipment properly.
Multi-Pitch climbing involves ascending a rock face that is taller than the length of one rope. The route is done in several “pitches” (a rope length or portion thereof). Rock Dimensions guide will “lead” the route, placing protective gear as he/she climbs, then will set up an anchor and belay the participants while they climb to the belay anchor. Participants are on top-rope, with the Rock Dimensions guide belaying them from the anchor point.

RATING SYSTEM FOR ROCK CLIMBING:
The Yosemite Decimal System categorizes Class 5 terrain (technical rock climbing) in terms of the physical difficulty of the route. 5.0-5.7 (pronounced “five-seven”) is considered a beginner range. The highest rating (to date) is 5.15. Within the 5.10 and higher range, routes are subdivided into a, b, c and d levels to more precisely describe the difficulty (the most difficult 5.10 climb, for example, is 5.10d).

DESCRIPTIONS OF LOCATIONS

Linville Gorge Wilderness

Linville Gorge was formed by the Linville River, which now meanders some 2,000 feet below the gorge’s rim. This wilderness area is part of Pisgah National Forest, located southwest of Boone, N.C. The gorge offers breathtaking views, a variety of climbing options, and exciting rappels.

Table Rock is the most prominent feature of the Linville Gorge area, and can be seen from many miles away. The routes here are varied, with slabs requiring confident footwork and cracks that range from less than vertical to overhanging. Table Rock has something for all levels of climbing and is a great introduction to multi-pitch climbing.

While there are beginner level routes in the Amphitheater, climbing here requires more experience and commitment due mainly to the length of the approach.

Wilson Creek Area

The rugged and beautiful terrain of Wilson Creek is located in the Pisgah National Forest near the town of Linville. With an elevation of 3400 feet, these cliffs offer awesome exposure and spectacular views of Grandfather and Grandmother Mountains.

This setting is great for smaller groups and as preparation for multi-pitch climbing with semi-hanging belays and longer routes.

Shiprock

Visible just north of the Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway, climbers at Shiprock can enjoy long vistas of Blue Ridge Mountains with traditional one-pitch and two-pitch classic climbing routes. The climbing is generally a little steeper, but with several beautiful routes at the beginner level with large and abundant holds.

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