Introduction to Lead Climbing - 2 Day

Overview

We’ll introduce the essential skills to lead traditional climbs safely and confidently. Our friendly instructors will cover everything from placing nuts and cams to building ‘bomber’ belays and the tactics needed to lead a pitch. You should leave the course with a good idea of where to take your climbing and feel inspired to lead routes independently.

Who’s this aimed at?

If you’re leading indoors, on sport climbs, or have seconded traditional routes and want to step into the world of leading trad climbs, this weekend will set you up with good practice from the get-go. We’ll spend the weekend on easier climbs (Difficult to Severe) and focus on developing the skills needed to lead with confidence.

Leading assumes a certain level of risk, as such we’ll chat with each individual about whether or not they’re ready to lead – both participant and instructor need to be comfortable doing so. This ensures safety is maintained and everyone has a great time.

Itinerary

• Saturday
  • Informal welcome chat with our staff and your course members;
  • Discuss where’s best for the day’s weather and team
  • Head to a single pitch crag and focus on placing traditional protection (nuts, cams, hexes, slings)
  • Develop understanding and skills of building trad(itional) belays
  • Mock lead a route (leading and placing gear, but with a top rope – allowing you to relax and focus on placing good gear)
  • Return to PYB for tea and cake!
• Sunday
  • Visit a different crag and rock type, either single or multi-pitch, dependent upon the weather and what the team’s after
  • Develop and consolidate the previous day’s learning
  • Get on ‘the sharp end’ and lead some routes with an instructor ascending a fixed rope alongside (if appropriate)
  • Coaching of gear movement skills, gear placement and belay construction
  • Climb fun routes with coaching along the way
  • Return to PYB for more tea and cake, and a fond farewell.