Learn to Lead - Trad Climbing Course

Are you looking to take the next steps to becoming an independent climber? Our learn to lead course will get you there. ​

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This 4 day course will help to refine your climbing skills and bring everything together for your first lead. We will take a progressive approach, day by day and take the course at your pace. 

We hope to introduce all the principles of safe climbing, teach you how to judge and assess the gear, build belays, organise the stance and manage your descent. All important and key skills in becoming an independent trad climber. 

Course Outline:

Day 1:

1. Recap tying in and belaying
2. Be guided on a multi-pitch climb
3. Assess ability and refine techniques
4. Relaxed atmosphere for climbing 
5. Discuss modern gear such as nuts, cams and hexes
6. Practice its placement in the rock

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Day 2:​

1. Clip into belays and tie clove hitches
2. Set a framework for safe and solid belays (ABC and IDEAS acronyms) ​
3. Place gear independently
4. 'In series' climbing​​
5. Build your own belays 
6. Learn to belay a second
7. Discuss descent and abseiling

Day 3:

1. Runner placement and management
2. Stance organisation and belay changeovers.
3. Ghost roping
4. Place gear and gain peer feedback
5. Route choice
6. Lead climb with 1:1 coaching and instruction

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The price of this course is inclusive of:

1. A qualified Mountaineering Instructor affiliated with AMI
2. Local & intimate knowledge of the venues
3. Technical equipment 
4. Professional coaching & instruction

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Read more about AMI here: About AMI

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1. #lookforthelogo

You should be able to second climbs and have an understanding of Trad Climbing.

Waterproof Jacket

Waterproof Trousers

Fleece Layer

Spare Warm Top

Hat & Gloves

Boots/Approach Shoes 

You will need your own rock shoes

30-40L Rucksack

Lunch & Snacks

1 litre water

Personal Medication

Camera

Equipment Provided:

Helmet

Harness

Belay Plate

Nut Key

120cm Sling

We recommend having a harness for this course.

Please bring any climbing hardware or ropes you may already have.

We encourage you to lead on your rack of gear.

We will send a full course itinerary on booking - please look out for our email.