[vc_row padding_bottom=”0″][vc_column width=”7/12″][vc_column_text]Looking to hit the rocks outside but don’t know where to get started?

We’re pleased to announce that we’re now offering two courses to get you going in San Luis Obispo:

First classes:

1/19/19 1:30pm – Essential Knots for Rock Climbing and Rappelling

1/26/19 1:30pm – Anchor Building 101
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Essential Knots – $45

Spend 90-minutes learning essential climbing knots and their applications in outdoor climbing. It’s not just about tying in, it’s about being able to do ALL the things![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″][vc_single_image image=”1696″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0″][vc_column][vc_column_text]Material covered:

• Terms: What are knots, hitches, bends, and bights?
• Knots for tying in: Figure 8 followthrough vs Bowline (Single, Double, Yosemite, Edwards)
  • Stopper knots and the Yosemite finish
• Knots and hitches for anchor building: Overhand knot on a bight, clove hitch, friction hitches (prussik, kleimheist, French prussik/autoblock)
• Knots for rappelling: Double fisherman’s, Flemish bend, in-line overhand (aka Euro death knot), and figure 8 on a bight
• Other knots and hitches: Barrell Knot, Square Knot, Alpine Butterfly, Girth Hitch, Munter Hitch, Water Knot
• Understand and evaluate how knots fail- pinching, rolling, and slipping

Gear you will need: Harness

Anchors 101 $80

Anchors keep people alive. Sometimes just barely… Ideally not just barely. That’s why we’re going to teach you everything you need to know to build and evaluate single-pitch anchors in our local climbing areas. Make sure your anchors keep you and your friends alive!

This three hour course will cover the considerations one needs to take into account when safely building an adequate anchor in a single pitch scenario. Material covered:

• The gear necessary to build anchors in single-pitch scenarios
• How to decide on the appropriate anchor configuration and anchor material to use in different single-pitch climbing scenarios
• How to tie and evaluate several knots and hitches that are useful in the anchor building process
• Anchor building etiquette and safety considerations
• Acronyms and other tools to double-check yourself as you begin putting these skills to use in the outdoors
• How to safely clean a single pitch anchor before rappelling, being lowered, or walking off

Gear you will need

• Harness
• 20 feet of 8mm cordelette
• (2) Double-length slings

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About our instructor, Pancho Gomez:

Pancho fell in love with rock climbing while attending Cal Poly in 2008. Throughout college, he worked as a guide with Poly Escapes, Cal Poly’s outdoor adventure program. He joined Slo Op when it was still just a small storage warehouse near Trader Joes and immediately came to love the camaraderie and support he found in that small die-hard climbing community.

Since 2008, Pancho has developed a repertoire of technical ropes skills adventuring and participating in technical skills classes as a climber, canyoneer, and mountaineer. He hopes to ensure our rapidly growing community climbs safely and responsibly, both in the gym and at our local crags. Pancho is a certified Single Pitch Instructor by the American Mountain Guide Association.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″][vc_single_image image=”1700″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][/vc_column][/vc_row]