Description

Description

Winter is coming! Our last dry-tooling event got cancelled because of the weather, and I think that we should give it a second shot. Thanks to Gus for having written up the description of the previous trip and for much of the material below, including the links to the videos on YouTube.

The crag at Dennet (Dennett?) Bluffs is a great place to top-rope and to learn the basic movements of dry-tooling on relatively easy climbs. There is an easy walk-around to the top of the crag to set up top-ropes for those who do not want to lead. Shashi Shanbhag’s blog has a good description of the area: https://shashishanbhag.com/climb/dry-tooling-at-dennet-bluffs/

The trailhead is at Munro Lake trail head, Coquitlam, BC V3E 3H1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PB9x2kXGxBgo1hNZ7

Required Equipment: climbing harness, helmet, belay device, prusik, personal tether, locking carabiners, hiking boots or mountaineering boots

Recommended Equipment: ice tools, mountaineering boots + crampons, rope, quickdraws, rock pro, anchor material, thin gloves (utility or mechanics gloves work great!)

I have one set of tools which I’m happy to share, and two ropes. Please comment upon sign-up whether you can bring a rope, ice tools, or crampons so that we maximize the amount of climbing as a group. I have a single rope, a pair of tools with beater picks, and beater crampons which I would be happy to share with up to two people. I would have no problem with climbing as a party of three, as I find dry-tooling physically demanding (i.e., a little rest between pitches would not hurt).

Beginners are welcome! If you have never dry-tooled before, then feel free to check out these videos on technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0yoJn3v2yo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2vzBPFadgg

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: Cliffs; trees, forest deadfall, and tree stumps; rocks and boulders; variable and difficult walking terrain; 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; cuts; abrasions; fractured or broken bones; impalement; loss of limbs; sunstroke; sunburn; dehydration; illness; soft tissue injuries; neck, head and brain injury; paralysis; psychological injury; other injury to the body.
• Other: changing weather conditions including but not limited to high winds, rain, lightning, forest fires; equipment failure; incomplete warnings or instructions; negligent first aid; negligence of other people, including trip coordinator and other guests.
• DRY-TOOLING SPECIFIC HAZZARDS. Dropped/falling ice tools, falling with sharp objects attached, increased rock/hold breakage, risk of damaged/cut climbing rope

IMPORTANT: There is a straightforward walk-around to the climber’s left to set up top-ropes for these climbs, but, since the top of the crag is uneven, slippery, and, obviously, at the edge of a cliff, we will rappel in from above to set up anchors if we are not leading. Please indicate when you last practised rappelling if you would like to help set up the anchors. These climbs protect well, but, as it will be my first time on tools since the summer, I do not plan to lead anything. Please climb conservatively and forbear to lead unless you have recently led at the same grade or have led harder grades without falling before.

Finally, I will be checking sign-ups periodically through Sunday evening. If no one has signed up by 7:00 PM on Sunday, then I will cancel the event. I would, if possible, like to carpool from Vancouver.