Make the move into traditional rock climbing and learn the skills needed to become a confident and competent second.
This 2-day Intro to Trad Climbing Course is designed for indoor climbers, sport climbers and those with some outdoor climbing experience who want to understand how traditional climbing works and start developing greater independence on real rock.
You’ll learn how trad protection is placed and removed, how climbing equipment is racked, how belays and anchors work, how to belay a lead climber, second trad routes and manage yourself safely at the crag.
By the end of the course, you should feel confident climbing as a second with an experienced trad climber, removing and organising protection, attaching safely to anchors and understanding the systems used during a typical trad climbing day.
Courses are available at selected climbing venues including Dartmoor, the Wye Valley and Wintour’s Leap, and Eryri/Snowdonia, with other locations available for private and bespoke bookings.
Instructor Tip:
"When seconding, remove the piece of gear with it still clipped into the rope on the quickdraw. This reduces the chance of you dropping it. Clip it to your gear loop using the carabiner clipped through the gear on the quickdraw (leaving the gear attached) and then unclip it from the rope. This also stops the gear hanging low and reduces the chances of it getting caught as you climb. "
£250pp*
2 Days
1:4
* Price indicated is for public course dates. For private/bespoke/1:1 bookings, prices start FROM £250 per day, +£30 per person extra per day.
Get in touch to enquire or click the BESPOKE BOOKING button above.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
Traditional climbing introduces a whole new set of skills beyond indoor and sport climbing. Instead of relying on fixed bolts, the lead climber places removable protection into the rock and builds anchors and belays as they climb.
This course introduces you to those systems without expecting you to start leading straight away.
Over two days, you'll spend plenty of time climbing while learning how to place and assess traditional protection, remove and rack equipment efficiently, build and understand belays, belay a lead climber and climb confidently as a second.
The aim is to give you a solid foundation in traditional climbing so you can continue gaining experience with competent trad climbers and progress towards becoming an independent outdoor climber.
The exact crag and routes we use will depend on your chosen location, your experience, the group and the weather.
WHO'S IT FOR?
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This 2 Day Intro to trad climbing course is ideal for those of you who want to progress their climbing and become competent seconds so you can head out with more experienced climbers or join me on a guided multipitch climb
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An indoor or sport climber who wants to develop their knowledge and skills they already have and start to become an independent climber
DIFFICULTY:
(5/10) MODERATE - CHALLENGING
Moderate physical effort with technical skills introduced progressively, focusing on gear placements, anchors, and seconding safely.
Similar difficulty to: Climbers Self Rescue - Basics
Easier Than: Intro to Multipitch
Harder Than: Indoor to Outdoor Climbing
Not sure what this means? See our Difficulty Guide → HERE
Compare other Rock Climbing Courses
COURSE CONTENT:
On this course, we will cover the following:
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Planning where to climb
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Safety at the top of a crag
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Movement skills
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Choosing a rack
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Climbing knots
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Placing protection
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Building anchors
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Top and Bottom rope systems
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Belaying a lead climber
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Climbing as a second
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Introduction to multipitch climbing
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Personal Abseiling techniques
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Access and the Environment
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Hazards and Emergency
WHAT TO EXPECT:
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2 full days of climbing with an experienced instructor
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A focus on building confidence in seconding climbs
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Progressive learning in climbing techniques
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A focus on managing fear and moving efficiently and safely on 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 the rock 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 TAKE AN INTRO TO TRAD CLIMBING COURSE?
The skills taught on the Intro to Trad Climbing Course are transferable to traditional climbing throughout the UK, but each climbing area provides a slightly different learning experience.
Dartmoor, Devon
Learn traditional climbing on Dartmoor's granite tors and crags. The variety of cracks, slabs, walls and corners provides an excellent environment for learning how traditional protection works, developing movement on real rock and gaining confidence as a second.
Courses may use venues such as the Dewerstone, Hound Tor, Sheeps Tor and other suitable Dartmoor crags depending on conditions and the group.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses on Dartmoor →
Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap
The limestone crags of the Wye Valley provide a very different climbing environment, with an extensive range of traditional routes and plenty of opportunities to develop outdoor climbing skills.
The area is particularly convenient for climbers travelling from Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Wales, North Somerset and the surrounding areas.
Venues are selected according to your experience, course objectives, access and conditions.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in the Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap →
Eryri / Snowdonia
North Wales is one of Britain's great traditional climbing destinations and provides opportunities to develop your skills on everything from accessible crags to mountain routes.
Intro to Trad courses focus on suitable lower-grade venues where you can learn protection, belays, seconding and general crag skills before progressing towards independent climbing and longer mountain routes.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in Eryri / North Wales →
Bespoke Locations
Private Intro to Trad courses can also be arranged at other suitable climbing venues around the UK.
If you have a particular climbing area in mind, get in touch and we can discuss the most appropriate location for your experience and objectives.
