Intro to Traditional climbing

 

What to Expect

 

Meet: Normally we meet at 8:15 or 9 am in a cafe, either Pete's eats in Llanberis, Moel Siabod in Capel Curig, or Eric Jones at Tremadog, or South stack Cafe depending on what is most convenient for you and our plan for the day. - Joining instructions will be sent out upon booking. 

 

Drive: A short drive, then a short walk to a suitable climbing area.

 

Activities: As a general ethos we aim to teach as we climb. We won't spend very long standing around, expect to learn hands-on by actually going climbing and look at each skill, technique and learning point as its appropriate. 

 

Finish: Around 4:30-5pm

 

What to bring: Warm ‘outdoor’ clothing (including full waterproofs), packed lunch, water, sun cream, mosquito spray, walking boots or trainers, Rucksack. Any climbing Equipment you own. Click here for a full kit list. 

 

Trad climbing (or traditional climbing) is a type of climbing where there is no fixed anchors or bolts, and one must place their own protection into the rock. It is the most common form of rock climbing in the UK.

 

What You will do & learn

 

• Anchors: Building, Placement, removal, Selection, Attachment, Equalization.

• Equipment use: Harness, ropes, helmet, protection, extending runners.

• Technical Skills: Knots, Belaying leader & second, lowering

• Using the guidebook: Crag & Climb selection, Grades

• Route Selection, and route finding

• Confidence Building, and movement skills

• Personal Abseiling (rappeling), use of the prusik knot & Lowering

• Theories into practice

• Basic problem solving

• Principals of Leading and simulated Lead climbing

• Actual trad leading if appropriate. 

 

What is included

• Guiding & Instruction from a Qualified instructor

• Any Equipment you require

• Photos

• Tea and Snacks

• We may be able to provide free transport to/from the climbing area

 

Where

Our Climbing courses are mostly in Snowdonia National Park. We'll usually meet in a cafe and have a quick introduction over a cuppa, and decide on where to go. We'll pick the most suitable location based on you, the objectives and the weather. If the weather is good it's nice to head to a crag in the mountains, if the forecast is looking bad then we'll often seek dry rock at Tremadog, the Molwyns or Holyhead.