Single Pitch Lead Climbing
This two-day group course is for individuals with some climbing background and experience placing trad gear and building anchors who now wish to get out by themselves and learn to lead climb! This course will focus on effective techniques for leading ‘traditional’ climbs in a single pitch setting. The course will look at climbing efficiently, gear placements, and anchor building with lots of climbing and one-on-one coaching throughout from your instructor.
We start with an in-depth review of gear placements and climbing equipment, then move on to ‘mock leading’ (leading with a top rope backup). By the end of this intensive course, you will have mock-lead several traditional climbs, had an instructor evaluate your gear placements, and taken falls on gear you placed (while safely backed up by a top rope). This course is the perfect next step for the top rope climber who wants to start leading trad by themselves!
“I started doing courses and private guiding with you guys one year ago. I had never climbed anything outside in my life. Now, I lead multipitch rock and ice, and I take my friends climbing too” – John Wallis
Topics Covered:
- Lead climbing strategies and techniques for climbing confidently
- Equipment selection and racking considerations
- Ropework: clean, efficient systems
- Detailed analysis of your gear placements including cams, stoppers, and tricams
- Review of climbing anchors
- Evaluating fixed gear
- Practice falling on gear you have placed (top rope backup)
- Review of understanding guidebooks, reading topos, and choosing appropriate climbs
- Common myths and truths about climbing equipment
Course Prerequisites:
Applicants must have taken our 201 course.
Number on course: Maximum of 6:1 client to instructor ratio
Course length: Two days
Course dates: See the Course Schedule
Cost*: $450
2: $570 per person (two to one instructor, two days)
1: $730 per person (one to one instructor, two days)
*The costs are based on the actual number of participants on the course. Courses normally run at 3+ people but in the event the courses run with fewer people the costs will be as shown above. Participants that do not wish to take the course with low numbers (because of the cost) can change their course to another date. The upside to lower numbers is of course a more personal course.