Take your climbing beyond single-pitch crags and learn the skills needed to climb longer multipitch routes efficiently, confidently and safely.
This 2-day Intro to Multipitch Climbing Course is designed for climbers with single-pitch lead climbing experience who want to progress onto longer routes, mountain crags and sea cliffs.
You'll learn how to build and manage multipitch belays, organise ropes efficiently, bring up a second, change over at belays, communicate effectively, manage exposed stances and safely descend or retreat from longer climbs.
Throughout the course, we'll put these systems into practice on real multipitch routes, allowing you to develop both the technical skills and practical judgement needed for longer and more committing climbing.
Courses are available at selected climbing areas across the UK, including Dartmoor, the Wye Valley, Eryri / North Wales, the Lake District and suitable sea-cliff venues, with private courses tailored around your experience and objectives.
Instructor Tip:
Have a system, or process, for when your second arrives at the belay. Here's an example:
SAFE:
The second attaches to belay. Buddy checks to ensure safety
ROPES:
Back coil the ropes if block leading
BELAY:
Get the leader on belay: Buddy checks!
GEAR:
Hand over the gear to the leader. Leader re-racks
FAFF:
Eat, drink, check the guidebook, add or remove layers, take pictures etc
£260pp*
2 Days
1:2
* Price indicated is for public course dates. For private/bespoke/1:1 bookings, prices are: 1:1 = £250 per day | 1:2 = £280 per day (£140pp per day)
Get in touch to enquire or click the BESPOKE BOOKING button above.
INTRO TO MULTIPITCH CLIMBING
COURSE OVERVIEW:
Multipitch climbing opens up a huge range of longer and more adventurous routes, from valley crags to mountain cliffs and sea cliffs.
But moving from single-pitch climbing onto longer routes introduces a new set of skills. Belays need to be organised efficiently, ropes managed carefully, communication becomes more important and you need to understand how you're going to access, descend from or retreat off a route.
This 2-day course introduces those skills progressively while giving you plenty of opportunity to put them into practice on real multipitch climbs.
We'll look at building and organising belays, attaching securely to anchors, bringing up a second, belay changeovers, stance and rope management, climbing with single and double ropes, route finding, communication and safe descent.
Depending on your experience and objectives, we can also introduce accessing more adventurous venues such as mountain crags and sea cliffs, as well as strategies for retreating from a route if things don't go to plan.
The exact routes, crags and course content will be adapted around your chosen location, previous experience, objectives, weather and conditions.
If booking a bespoke course, I can tailor the days to suit you. Whether that's teaching you the skills to access and to climb on sea cliffs or mountain crags, or you just want to learn the skills to multipitch climb for the time being. This course can be run anywhere in the UK. From the sea cliffs of Cornwall, Pembroke or Gogarth, and from the valley crag of the Dewerstone on Dartmoor to the mountain crags of Snowdonia or the Lake District.
WHO'S IT FOR?
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Single-pitch trad climbers wanting to progress onto longer multipitch routes.
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Sport climbers wanting to learn the systems required for multipitch sport climbing.
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Climbers interested in progressing onto mountain crags or sea cliffs.
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Climbers with some multipitch experience who want to become more organised, efficient and confident.
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Climbers preparing for longer routes in areas such as Eryri, the Lake District, the Wye Valley or overseas climbing destinations.
Want to progress from sport climbing to trad multipitch? You'll also need the skills required to lead traditional climbs. Our Learn to Lead Trad course may be a more appropriate first step.
DIFFICULTY:
(6/10) CHALLENGING
Moderate physical effort with core multipitch systems introduced progressively over two days. Ideal for climbers moving from single-pitch to longer routes.
Similar difficulty to: Learn to Lead Trad (2 days)
Easier Than: Guided Multipitch
Harder Than: Climbing Skills - Guide Mode Masterclass
Not sure what this means? See our Difficulty Guide → HERE
Compare other Rock Climbing Courses
COURSE CONTENT:
On this intro to multipitch course, we will cover the following skills:
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Re-cap single pitch lead climbing skills
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Choosing a route and understanding guidebooks
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Accessing the base of a route
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Movement and footwork on rock
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Efficient climbing movement
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Building different types of belays - using the rope and slings
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Assessing insitu gear and natural anchors
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Attaching to anchors
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Stance management
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Efficient rope management
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Communication on the crag
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Belay change overs
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Climbing with single and double ropes
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Belaying a lead climber and bringing up a second
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Lead climbing
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How to descend off a route (or to the base!)
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Retreating off a route
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Emergency procedures
WHAT TO EXPECT:
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A full day on multipitch climbs, either inland, above the sea or in the mountains
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Progressive learning in multipitch climbing techniques
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A focus on managing exposure and moving efficiently and safely on multipitch climbs
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Safe, friendly atmosphere with others passionate about climbing
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A focus on your safety
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Opportunities to build confidence on multipitch climbs under the watchful eye of an experienced Mountaineering Instructor
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1:2 ratio to focus on your personalised instruction
WHERE CAN I LEARN MULTIPITCH CLIMBING?
Different climbing areas provide very different multipitch experiences. Your course location can be chosen around your existing experience, the style of climbing you want to develop and where you'd like your climbing to take you next.
Dartmoor, Devon
The Dewerstone provides some of the South West's best opportunities for learning multipitch climbing, with longer traditional routes, good belay stances and plenty of opportunities to practise rope management, belay changeovers and climbing with double ropes.
It's an excellent location for climbers wanting to make the transition from single-pitch trad climbing onto longer routes without immediately moving into a mountain environment.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses on Dartmoor →
Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap
The Wye Valley offers extensive traditional climbing and opportunities to develop the systems required for longer routes.
Wintour's Leap in particular provides a more adventurous environment in which experienced single-pitch climbers can develop multipitch systems, stance management, route finding and efficient ropework.
It's particularly convenient for climbers travelling from Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Wales and the surrounding areas.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in the Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap →
Eryri / North Wales
Eryri is one of Britain's classic multipitch climbing destinations, with everything from accessible valley crags to long mountain routes.
It's an excellent place to develop multipitch skills and begin applying them in a mountain environment, including route finding, approach and descent planning, efficient stance management and coping with the additional commitment of longer routes.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in Eryri / North Wales →
Lake District
The Lake District offers a huge variety of traditional multipitch climbing, from accessible valley crags through to longer mountain routes.
Courses can be adapted around your existing experience and objectives, making the Lakes particularly suitable for climbers looking to progress from straightforward multipitch routes towards more adventurous mountain climbing.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in the Lake District →
Sea Cliff Multipitch Climbing
If your goal is to progress onto sea cliffs, a private course can be tailored towards the additional skills and judgement required for this environment.
Depending on the venue and conditions, this may include accessing routes, tidal considerations, abseil approaches, route finding, retreat options and managing the additional commitment of climbing above the sea.
Suitable courses can be arranged at selected venues in areas such as Cornwall, Pembroke and North Wales.
Bespoke Locations
Private Intro to Multipitch courses can be arranged at other suitable climbing venues throughout the UK.
If you have a particular climbing area or future objective in mind, get in touch and we can choose a venue that best suits your experience and goals.
