rock climbing
intro to trad
Our Intro to Trad course is designed to get you moving outside on rock and open the door to rock climbing in the UK.
We will be looking at movement techniques, tactics for outdoor climbing, rope work, belaying and trad gear; how it works & how to place it.
This course is delivered by mountain professionals that are affiliated with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors
1 DAY COURSE
PRICES
£125pp
OVERVIEW
An Intro to Trad course is designed to provide participants with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for safe and enjoyable rock climbing. This introductory course typically covers basic climbing techniques, equipment, tactics for outdoor climbing, and technical aspects such as rope work, belaying, placing traditional gear and understanding how to operate with nuts, cams and hexes.
This course is ideal for those looking for safe way in to the world of trad climbing, or for folk looking at moving from indoors to outdoors and take their climbing to the next level.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Background
An awareness of the types of places you can climb in the UK and Ireland, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette and the work of the mountaineering councils.
Physical Skills
Fundamental movement skills and climbing styles are explored throughout the day. Our instructors are on hand to offer coaching and introduce a foundation of climbing movement skills to you that will help towards your climbing progression.
Tactics for Outdoor Climbing
What to look for when climbing outside, route reading, looking at guidebooks, understanding the rock and how to operate on different rock types.
Footwear and Equipment
Footwear and equipment selection and how to use the kit you choose. E.g. types of shoes, harnesses and technical gear such as: cams, nuts, hexes and ropes.
Technical Skills
Tying into a harness, belaying and abseiling, predominately with a back up rope. These are all fundamental climbing skills and we will teach you up to date best practice and build your understanding towards safe climbing practice.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures
Identifying hazards, managing risk, understanding common injuries, how to get help and the role of Mountain Rescue and associated emergency services.
SKILLS COVERED:
Technical gear and its application
Fundamental climbing skills
Tying in, belaying
Placing and removing gear
Movement coaching and climbing styles
Basic rope work as necessary to the day
Descent - being lowered & abseiling
Lots of climbing
BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO:
Have covered trad climbing throughout the day and developed your understanding of the climbing process
Have a fundamental understanding of trad gear, its uses and its placement,
Have built some technical competence and an awareness of safe practice,
Have enjoyed a good proportion of climbing over the course duration
WHY CHOOSE US?
Small Group Sizes:
Our low instructor-to-participant ratio ensures personalised attention and maximum learning opportunities.
Certified Instructors:
Our experienced and certified instructors are dedicated to your safety and skill development.
Real-World Application:
The course is designed to equip you with practical skills for independent rock climbing adventures.
Beautiful Locations:
Enjoy learning in some of the most scenic rock climbing environments in the Lake District.
Course Ratios
1:2 Ratio (max ratio)
This course can be delivered 1-1 for a day rate of £220 - just ask to go bespoke. 1-2 £250 per day.
An instructor can teach up to 2 people on this course - we can provide additional instructors adhering to our ratios.
For every 2 climbers we would supply an additional instructor.
Our instructors are MCI qualified and associated with AMI.
Pre-Requisites
16yrs+ to attend this course
Under 18's must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian
We can accommodate under 16's on private days. This means you can attend as a family for example. (12+) .
No experience necessary
This is an introduction course, come along, learn some skills and get psyched for climbing.
Equipment
Harness, helmet, ropes & climbing hardware are available to use and included in the price
We will share kit lists with you during the booking stage
You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing and have your own rock shoes.
Click here for a rock shoes buyers guide
Rock shoes need to be comfortable; take a look at the beginner shoes on the above guide.
Venue
These courses use the North Lakes and we use the crags of Borrowdale to deliver the outline of the course.
We will meet at the Keswick Climbing Wall cafe for 9:00am
Here we will discuss your aims and outline the course structure.
We use crags such as Black Crag, Bowderstone Crag, Shepherd's Crag, Glaciated Slab as examples.
It is possible to lift share from the meeting location. Keswick is accessible via bus (£2 bus fares)
Not quite what you're looking for?
Hire our Lake District Mountaineering instructors for private and tailored programmes.
Suited to your goals & ambitions to make the most of YOUR time in the mountains.
Day rates:
1:1 £240
1:2 £150pp
CONTACT
We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals.
Phone or WhatsApp:
07458353048
If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a voicemail or text message where possible.
Thank you