rock climbing
Trad Development
The Trad Development course is for those looking to gain more confidence and experience in their trad climbing. This course looks more in depth at building belays, trusting gear placements and furthering your understanding of safe practice. Lay all the building blocks towards safe and independent climbing.
This course is delivered by mountain professionals that are affiliated with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors
2 DAY COURSE
PRICES: £250pp
OVERVIEW
A Trad Development course will allow you to delve deeper into all aspects of trad climbing. This course typically covers climbing techniques and movement skills, equipment and tactics for outdoor climbing.
We will be looking more in depth at the technical aspects such as rope work, belaying, placing traditional gear and understanding how to operate with nuts, cams and hexes.
We are looking to build your understanding towards building solid belays, choosing appropriate anchors, equalising gear and being able to set up effectively and safely.
This course is ideal for those looking build their confidence in trad climbing; trusting gear, understanding forces, belaying and abseiling independently - all skills towards being a competent second climber.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Guided Rock Climb
Initial guiding on relevant rock routes to demonstrate skills and keep our teaching in context
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 course. Our instructors are on hand to offer coaching and introduce more advanced 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, how to abseil, undertaking a personal abseil with no safety rope (personal back up). These are all fundamental climbing skills and we will teach you up to date best practice and build your understanding towards being independent and autonomous with these key skills.
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:
Climbing movement
Gear placement and understanding
Building Belays
Belaying from above and belaying a lead climber
Competent and efficient seconding
Racking gear efficiently
Abseiling skills
Tactics for climbing
Lots of climbing from Severe-VS
BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO:
Have covered trad climbing in depth over a 2 day period,
Be in a strong position to head out independently and second more experienced lead climbers,
Have built technical competence and an awareness of safe practice,
Be more confident moving on real rock in an outdoor setting,
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)
Minimum of 2 for courses to run in full. If you are the only booking, that will secure an instructor for one 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+)
As a guideline, you will get the most from this course if you have logged 10 routes on walls or outdoor crags; and logged 10 belays of a fellow climber.
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
This course is delivered in the Langdale Valley.
We will meet at the Sticklebarn National trust car park for meetings and course outlines.
We will use a single pitch venue for the day such as Sticklebarn Crag, Raven Crag, Kettle Crag, Long Scar, Black Crag.
It will be possible to car share to get to these venues if necessary or use public transport from Ambleside.
(£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