Learn to lead - Trad

 

What to Expect

 

Come away satisfied, having led many pitches on multi-pitch trad routes, and feel confident to start leading easy routes more independently. We'll normally start on a long, easy multi-pitch climb, ghost roping (i.e. your simulating leading, but also are being belayed on a top-rope). Once your comfortable to progress to your first pitch actually leading, you'll have an instructor ascending a fixed rope next to you, ready to give advice and clip you on should you panic (really unlikely because we always start super easy). We'll usually get many pitches done each day (but this really depends on how fast you are), therefore at each new pitch, belay, situation we'll teach you something new, whilst constantly reinforcing skills already learned.  

 

Syllabus

 

• 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. 

 

The plan 

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. 

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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.