On The Rocks Climbing Guides.
PCGI-certified outdoor rock climbing courses across four Ontario crags from Milton to Calabogie, gear and instruction included
The brief.
On The Rocks Climbing Guides is a Southern Ontario commercial guide service running outdoor rock climbing courses and private climbing days across four crags: Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton, Metcalfe Rock in The Blue Mountains, Kingston Mills on the Rideau Canal, and Eagle's Nest at Calabogie west of Ottawa. The season runs April through October. Owner Will Gilbert leads a seven-guide roster, all PCGI-certified, holding Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, or Standard First Aid/CPR-C credentials. Courses cover everything from a no-prerequisite half-day intro on Niagara Escarpment limestone to two-day top-rope and anchor-building skills courses, with a 1:6 guide-to-participant ratio and all climbing gear provided.
5. ways in.
- 01
Intro to Outdoor Climbing
For: All experience levels, no prerequisites; minimum-age inquiry under 7When: Scheduled across the April–October operating seasonA first- or second-time outdoor climbing course covering basic knots, belaying, hazard management, outdoor movement, and climbing communication, with optional rappelling in the full-day format. Half-day runs four hours and full-day runs eight, both at a 1:6 guide-to-participant ratio with all climbing gear provided. Private bookings run six to eight hours.
Half-day $140 / Full-day $225 per person; private from $625 (1–2 people) to $975 (6 people). HST included. Rattlesnake Point entrance fees extra.
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Top-rope Climbing Course
For: Climbers with previous top-roping experience, indoor or outdoorWhen: Scheduled within the April–October operating seasonA 2-day course covering crag safety, anchor building theory, top-roping equipment selection, route choice and hazard ID, anchor point assessment, knots, cliff-top safety, belaying, communication, outdoor movement, and optional rappelling. Taught by a PCGI-certified guide at a 1:6 ratio with all required climbing gear provided.
Scheduled $445 per person; private from $1,250 (1 person) to $1,945 (6 people). HST included. Rattlesnake Point entrance fees extra.
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Anchor Building Course
For: Climbers building toward independent outdoor climbingWhen: Scheduled within the April–October operating seasonA 1-day course covering anchor construction techniques, concluding with actual climbing on the same day. Taught at a 1:6 guide-to-participant ratio. Sits between the intro course and the multi-day skills courses for climbers ready to start building their own systems on real rock.
Scheduled $250 per person; private from $625 (1 person) to $1,065 (6 people). HST included. Rattlesnake Point entrance fees extra.
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Top-rope Adventures
For: 1–6 climbers, all skill levels (beginners welcome)When: Within the April–October operating season; private booking on requestA private guided climbing day rather than a skills course — usually six to eight hours at a 1:6 max ratio with PCGI-certified guides, all gear provided, and the day customised to the group's level and goals.
From $625 (1–2 people) to $975 (6 people). HST included. Rattlesnake Point entrance fees extra. Inquire for larger groups.
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Skills Courses & Adventures
For: Climbers continuing past intro levelWhen: Scheduled across the 2026 course calendarThe catalogue includes Outdoor Sport Lead, Traditional Climbing, Multi-pitch Techniques, Rock Rescue, Rappelling, Family Rock, Technical Coaching, and PCGI Certification courses, plus specialty clinics on crack climbing, rappelling, and self-rescue. Open enrolment for scheduled dates; private courses bookable any time.
Contact for details
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Worth knowing.
- 01Owner Will Gilbert has nearly two decades of climbing experience across North America, Japan, and EuropeSource ↗
- 02Seven-guide roster, all PCGI certified — six PCGI Single Pitch Guides and one PCGI Top Rope Guide, with a mix of Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, and Standard First Aid/CPR-C credentialsSource ↗
- 03Courses run April through October at four Ontario crags: Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area (Milton), Metcalfe Rock (The Blue Mountains), Kingston Mills (Kingston), and Calabogie (Eagle's Nest, west of Ottawa)Source ↗
- 04Rattlesnake Point cliffs reach up to 80 feet; Metcalfe Rock limestone exceeds 100 feet in sections — both on the Niagara EscarpmentSource ↗
- 051:6 guide-to-participant ratio across scheduled and private coursesSource ↗
- 06All climbing gear provided on every course; HST included in all listed pricesSource ↗
- 07Booking policy allows rescheduling, changes, or refunds (minus deposit) up to 14 days before the booked dateSource ↗
- 08Open enrolment for scheduled course listings; private courses bookable any timeSource ↗