Get Ready to Experience the Adventure of Northwest Ontario with Outdoor Skills And Thrills!
As a rock climber in one of our adventures your instruction will begin with the basics and then go from there. This program is designed to provide you with an exciting progression that is specifically catered to the experience levels of you and your group. Under expert guidance of your climbing guide, you will not only have a great experience rock climbing outdoors, but you will also learn a variety of climbing skills in detail, making certain that you are comfortable and confident while getting after your ascents.
All technical climbing equipment is included – If you have personal equipment please feel free to bring your own gear. Any personal equipment will be inspected prior to use.
What to Bring:
* Backpack (large enough for all your belongings and the climbing equipment we give you for the day)
* Water bottle (1L minimum)
* Snacks/lunch to keep your energy up
* Sunglasses/Sunscreen/UV Lip Balm/Bug Spray
* Active clothing appropriate for the weather conditions
* Close-toed shoes (hiking shoes recommended)
There can be periods of high activity followed by periods of low activity in changing temperatures and conditions. We suggest bringing clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility.
Program Itinerary
This is a basic outline of the itinerary for our adventure; however we customize/modify our outings based on each individuals level of experience. The day begins with your drive time to the climbing location.
-Arrival at the Climbing Destination! Meet and greet at the parking area
-Distribute gear (harness, helmet, climbing shoes, chalk bag, etc)
-Hike to climbing site
-Talking About Site Safety and Equipment
* Objective hazards discussed
* Helmets to be worn at all times
* Equipment explained, fitted to each person, and secured.
* How to climb – basic techniques to get started
* How to come back down safely – proper lowering techniques
* Get to try it out with your first climbs!
-Skill Building and Climbing Time!
* Using different types of climbing holds
* Effective use of feet
* Belaying + Communication Essentials
-Snack/Lunch: On your own time whenever you please
-More Climbing Time and Skill Building
* Group progressively learns techniques to climb more efficiently on the
rock; customized to each individual’s experience level
* Learning advanced techniques to climb more efficiently
* Learn about rock formations, anchors, etc.
-Last Climbs of the Day
-Tear Down, Clean Up, and Pack Up
-Hike time back to the parking area
-Return equipment
-Departure Time
The Bluffs – Driving Directions
To find using Google Maps CLICK HERE, or type in ‘Your Location’ to ‘The Bluffs – Thunder Bay’ or the GPS coordinates: 48.471284, -89.202274
There are a number of ways to get to The Bluffs either by vehicle, bike or by foot. These are driving directions which begin from the HWY 11/17 & Harbour Expressway intersection. Head east on the 11/17 for 12.3 km (7.6 mi) and exit right (south) at Hodder Avenue. Drive down Hodder Ave for 1.5 km (0.9 mi) until you reach a 4-way stop at Hodder Ave. & Arundel Street; make a right onto Arundel. Continue for 1.5 km (0.9 mi) on Arundel until you reach a bridge going over the Current River. As soon as you’ve gone over this bridge you will make an immediate right on to an unnamed/unmarked road. Drive up this road uphill to the scenic lookout and parking lot at the top. You have arrived!
Parking is available at the top of the hill in the parking lot.
Silver Harbour – Driving Directions
To find using Google Maps CLICK HERE, or type in ‘Your Location’ to ‘Silver Harbour Conservation Area‘ – Thunder Bay’ or the GPS coordinates: 48.509831, -88.975475
These are driving directions which begin from the HWY 11/17 & Harbour Expressway intersection. Drive east on ‘HWY 11/17’ for 16 km (10 mi) and exit right on to Spruce River Road. Drive down Spruce River Rd. for 1.3 km (0.8 mi) until you arrive to a stop sign at the T-Junction (Spruce River Road and Lakeshore Dr). Turn left on to Lakeshore Dr.
Drive down Lakeshore Dr for 11.7 km (7.3 mi) and turn right on to Silver Harbour Road (there are signs for ‘Silver Harbour Conservation Area’ just before this turn off). Continue down to the end of Silver Harbour Rd for 1.3km (0.8 mi) to arrive at the Silver Harbour Conservation Area. You’ve arrived!
Parking is available at the Silver Harbour Conservation Area parking lot.
Pass Lake – Driving Directions
To find using Google Maps CLICK HERE, or type in ‘Your Location’ to ‘Karen’s Kitchen – Pass Lake’ or use GPS coordinates: 48.564851, -88.731092
These are driving directions which begin from the HWY 11/17 & Harbour Expressway intersection. Drive east on ‘HWY 11/17’ for 46 km (28.5 mi) and turn right on to ‘HWY 587’ (look for ‘Pass Lake’ sign). There is a ‘Flying J/Shell Gas Station’ on the westbound side of HWY 11/17. Head down ‘HWY 587’ for 6.5 km (4 mi) until you see a nice little lake on your right, this is the Pass lake (there is also a sign that says ‘Pass Lake’). You will see the cliffs on the left (north) side of the road. You have arrived!
Parking for climbers is at the large gravel pullout on the left hand (north) side of the road, directly across from ‘Karen’s Kitchen’. Please park as organized as possible so that other climbers can fit their vehicles as well. If this spot is full you can park anywhere along the cliff-side of the road, but make sure you are well off the shoulder to avoid any accidents.
Waiver Form:
Click Here to view/print the Waiver Form
If you do not have access to a printer, your guide will have blank copies available on the day of your outing.
Policies & Procedures
All adventures/courses are confirmed and booked based on guide’s availability. Once a reservation is submitted check your e-mail for an automatic confirmation of payment (check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox) and we will get in touch with you within 48 hours to confirm all the details of your outing for you or your group.
After Submitting your Reservation: Each climber is required to fill out a Participant Information Sheet online. Please do this as soon as you’ve submitted your payment. This is to ensure we have all the information needed to provide you with the best possible experience and the properly fitted equipment.
Equipment Rental: The total cost of the trip includes the rental of all technical equipment needed for the outing: helmet, harness, rock shoes, ice axes, ice boots, crampons, and whatever else may be required for a specific course or adventure.
Transportation: Transportation to the rock climbing locations & ice climbing locations is not included. You will need to arrange a way to and from the climbing spot.
Waiver Form: You will be required to sign our Waiver Form before commencing the program. Participants under the age of 18 will need their parent/guardian’s permission to complete registration. Minors who show up for an adventure or course without a properly signed waiver by their parent or legal guardian will not be allowed to participate. At Outdoor Skills And Thrills we take great pride in ensuring our participants have a fun and safe experience. The proof is in the records – we are proud to say that we have never had an incident or injury occur during any of our guided outings! Nonetheless, we do want to make sure you are aware that rock and ice climbing is a dangerous activity that can result in death, paralysis or serious injury.
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Once a reservation is submitted we hold a 50% non-refundable deposit per person. All program deposits are non-refundable, and the full amount becoming non-refundable 48 hours prior to the date of the reservation. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to make any date changes to your reservation. All requests for cancellations or date changes must be submitted in writing to info@outdoorskillsandthrills.com.We reserve the right to cancel any program due to weather or route conditions, guide health, or for any other reason deemed necessary by the guide. In such cases, we are not responsible for expenses incurred by the client in connection with the trip such as airfare, car rental, equipment purchases, etc. If we cancel an outing prior to the trip date, every effort will be made to reschedule for another available date within the current season, or held as a credit to be used within 2 years. By its very nature, climbing is an uncertain endeavor, and many factors can influence the outcome of a trip. Accordingly, once a trip begins, we are unable to offer refunds for weather related cancellations, or for trips that end prematurely due to weather, route conditions or circumstances within, or affecting, your group.
Cancellation/Health & Interruption Insurance: It is important to make sure that your current plan covers you in the case of an illness, accident, cancellation, or interruption prior to or during your trip; get extra coverage if necessary. In the case of a trip cancellation or interruption, we cannot be held responsible for expenses incurred by the client in connection with the trip such as airfare, car rental, equipment purchases, etc.
Drugs and Alcohol: No alcohol or drug use is allowed on our programs. We have a zero tolerance policy and no climbing is ever permitted under the influence of alcohol or drugs.