2 Days
Intermediate
Devon or Cornwall
Ratio: Up to 2 clients to 1 instructor:
1:1 £400
1:2 £220
About the Intro to Trad Climbing course:
Learning traditional lead climbing allows you to experience one of the purest forms of rock climbing and opens the doors to so many cool adventures. Becoming totally self-sufficient and independent is exceptionally rewarding both mentally and physically. This introductory Learn to Lead course will build on skills you have picked up in your climbing path so far and take you to the next, exhilarating level of freedom with your rock climbing.
We will help progress your skills from your current level, safely towards getting on the “sharp end” of the rope!
This trad lead climbing course will take place in Devon or Cornwall (we will discuss which venue will be best for you).
We would recommend combining this with other Learn to Lead courses for a more in-depth learning experience. There may be a discount for course combinations. Please enquire for details.
Objectives of the Intro to Trad Climbing course:
- Understanding the key skills of the lead climbing partnership
- Tying in, belay set up and buddy check
- Route reading, assessing the risk and consequence of potential falls
- How to be a safe second
- Outdoor etiquette and environment
- Lead climbing equipment, uses and limitations
- Placing protection
- Building belays
- Practicing fluency of rope work
- Fluid climbing movement
- Climbing communication
- Problem avoidance
- Interpreting guidebooks
- Understanding the grading systems
Included:
- Highly qualified and experienced rock climbing instructor
- Use of all essential rock climbing equipment such as climbing harness, helmet, belay device, ropes
- Unless otherwise stated, the Intro to Trad Climbing course will be run privately for you, meaning you benefit from a personalised activity, focusing on your individual interests, ability and goals.
All you will need to bring:
- Warm, comfortable clothing appropriate to the day. It is always worth packing waterproofs.
- Climbing wall entry fee when the course takes place indoors (not included)
- A drink
- Packed lunch for a full day course
- Walking shoes for the approach
- Comfortable climbing shoes
If you have your own personal climbing equipment, such as harness, helmet, belay device, screw gate karabiner etc. do please bring them along.
Previous experience:
This course is best suited for those who have seconded grade Severe outside and are accomplished indoor climbers and belayers, looking to try or improve their trad climbing, and progress to outdoor traditional lead climbing. The ability to climb grade F6a indoors and outside sport will put you in good stead.
Testimonials:
“Rock & Moor
Had a great full on couple of days with Mike going over my Trad rigging and gear placement skills also learning new techniques thoroughly enjoyed it!, Mike is an extremely knowledgeable and patient Instructor that I would highly recommend for a five star experience.”
“Did a learn to lead course with Mike. He was amazing! Mike is very knowledgeable and is brilliant at explaining skills. Had such a fun time and learnt so much. I’m feeling a lot more confident in climbing. It was a perfect couple of days, could not have enjoyed the course more.
Would highly recommend”
“My partner and I did a weekend Learn to Lead Trad Course with Mike. Started with having experience with sport climbing but very little with trad, Mike had us leading our first trad routes on the second day of the weekend. We had a really great time and learned a lot of information, which was taught very well by someone who clearly has a lot of experience and knowledge. Set up our understanding of the basics really well! Thank you!”
“I’ve had 2 separate 2 day sessions with Mike. First session as an intro to traditional climbing, second session on climbing safety/self rescue. Mike’s a great teacher, patient and knowledgeable. Brought a lot of confidence to my climbing.”
“Recently I did a ‘Learn to Lead’ outdoor rock climbing course with Mike Roberts. The course was extremely well structured , including best practice in gear placement, health and safety, rope management, climbing techniques etc. I was particularly impressed with Mike’s interest in my long term development as a climber, pacing the course in order to develop my confidence, address my fears and build my skills rather than just ‘ delivering the course material’.
I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who is considering stepping up into trad leading.”
“I highly recommend Mike (Rock & Moor) for climbing tuition, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share in a positive and beneficial way. I can say this from personal experience as I recently had a great couple of day with him climbing in Cornwall.”
Our courses tend to be privately run, and can be adapted to your wishes. Heidi chose to book a longer course, to maximise her learning:
“Excellent 5 day learn to lead course
I did a five day outdoor learn to lead course with Mike. I really enjoyed the course and found Mike to be very knowledgeable, skilled and professional. Mike was very flexible and was able to run the course in locations and times that worked around my needs. He was great at explaining things and very kind and patient. Mike also had some useful advice in terms of climbing equipment and places to climb in the area. To help us retain all the information we covered in the week he also had some great suggestions and was happy to give advice after the course. I would highly recommend Mike as an instructor.”
“Last week was a fantastic adventure with Rock and Moor. I went on my second trad lead development course with Mike. He is a very skilled and patient instructor. I became much more confident in leading harder climbs and gained better knowledge regarding safety features. We also tried caving for the first time. I thought caving would not be my favourite activity, but I surprisingly really enjoyed it. Mike made us feel safe the whole time, which allowed us to relax and enjoy our time in the caves. I highly recommend Rock and Moor whether you want to develop your climbing, caving skills, or are just looking for a fun adventure!”
“I did a two-day learn to lead trad course with Mike, with one other person. I’d done a fair bit of seconding before but had no experience leading and was quite nervous about it. Mike was an excellent instructor. The rope work doesn’t come naturally to me and Mike was extremely patient and happy to go through stuff several times and explain things in different ways. Everything felt very safe, with top rope backups when we were first leading, and Mike inspecting and giving advice on gear placements. Would not hesitate to recommend!”
“Mike helped me learn to lead trad. I developed confidence and skill thanks to his brilliant encouragement and kind support, definitely recommend!”