rock skills
learn to lead trad
A Learn to Lead Trad Climbs course is all about learning trad climbing skills including how to place protection, build belays and move in an assured manner on rock. This course allows you to gain confidence in the complexities of gear placement and get to grips with nuts, cams and hexes
Accreditation
Our Rock Skills climbing courses are accredited by Mountain Training.
You will receive accreditation for this course, we will register you on the scheme with Mountain Training and create an account for you
Participant Handbook - Click Here
2 DAY COURSE
PRICES:£250pp
OVERVIEW
A Learn to Lead Trad Course is designed for those aspiring to lead climb and gain independence and autonomy towards their own adventures. This immersive program is crafted to instill the essential techniques, safety practices, and confidence required to climb natural rock. You'll delve into the world of gear placement, anchor building, and route selection; equipping yourself with the skills to tackle some of the most classic and adventurous routes in the UK. Join us and discover the exhilaration and satisfaction that comes with mastering the art of trad climbing.
COURSE OUTLINE
Background and Planning
Selecting suitable venues and routes, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette, the importance of the climbing partnership and the work of the mountaineering councils.
Climbing Skills
Safe and assured movement when leading climbs and optimising natural rests for placing gear.
Equipment
Ropes and technical equipment for lead climbing, contents of a lead rack and how to carry it, selection and function of gear.
Technical Skills
Selection and placement of suitable gear to protect leader and second, choosing anchors, effective ropework, attaching to multiple anchors, belaying, holding leader and second falls in a controlled environment.
Environmental Knowledge
The impact of climbers at the crag, ethics and environmental considerations for climbers.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures
Identifying hazards, decision making and managing risk, understanding common injuries, what to do in the event of an incident, managing common problems, how to get help and learning how Mountain Rescue works.
SKILLS COVERED:
Movement and technique
Footwork, handholds, weight transfer, smearing and momentum
Roped climbing
Wearing a harness, tying in, belaying, lowering and abseiling
Belaying
Developing lead belaying technique, looking at different devices and safety at the crag
Gear
Placing nuts, cams and hexes safely, gaining trust in the gear and linking anchors
Seconding
Following a lead climber, removing and rating the leaders gear placements
Lead climbing
Using the TTPP method to naturally progress towards leading a trad route; racking up, placing appropriate gear, building safe belays and looking after a second climber
AT THE END OF THE COURSE YOU CAN EXPECT TO:
Have covered the course content in a safe and enjoyable outdoor environment and classroom-style setting.
Have climbed outside for a good proportion of each day on an appropriate crag.
Be in a stronger position to lead trad routes on rock, using appropriate techniques and safe practice.
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 AFFILIATION
We will register you with Mountain Training, once this has been done you will receive:
Access to all four courses with any approved provider (Introduction, Intermediate, Learn to Lead Sport & Trad)
Lifetime use of DLOG (the digital logbook) for recording all climbing related activities
A certificate of attendance for each course attended
A copy of New Rock Climbers - to be handed out on the course
Course Ratios
1:2 Ratio day 1
1:4 Ratio day 2
This is an open course designed for you to meet like minded individuals and learn to climb together
An instructor can teach up to 4 people on this course - we can provide additional instructors adhering to a 1:4 ratio.
Minimum of 2 for courses to run in full. If you are the only booking, that will secure an instructor for one day.
Pre-Requisites
16yrs+ to attend this course
Under 18's must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian
As a guideline: Have belayed on at least 10 occasions;
Have seconded a minimum of 10 outdoor rock climbs at Very Difficult (VDiff) or above;
OR
Have led 20 sport climbs (indoors or outdoors).
A Rock Skills Intermediate is good pre-cursor to build skills towards this course.
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
It is likely you will have your own equipment at this level and you are welcome to bring it along to use.
Venue
These courses use the North Lakes and we use the crags of Borrowdale to deliver the outline of the course.
We will meet in Keswick Climbing Wall cafe for introductions at 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 will be possible to car share to get to these venues if necessary
this course is accredited to mountain training
Mountain Training is the collection of awarding bodies for skills courses and qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering that operates across the UK and The Republic Of Ireland.
Our qualifications train and assess people to look after other people in these environments, whether that's leading a walk in the mountains, coaching in a climbing wall or teaching multi pitch rock climbing. People who hold our qualifications have been assessed at a nationally agreed standard.
Our Vision
A diverse and active outdoor society, supported by inspirational leaders, instructors and coaches.
Our Mission
To inspire, enable and develop people in walking, climbing and mountaineering through the provision of nationally and internationally recognised skills training and leadership qualifications.
Support for people
Mountain Training is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to attend our courses. We work in close partnership with the mountaineering councils and a key strand of their work is to ensure that participation is open to all. The BMC Equity Steering Group and initiatives like Adventure for All have been central to this and are an excellent source of information.
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