What to Expect on an Intro to Multipitch Climbing Course
- Chris Cowdrey
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
An Intro to Multipitch Climbing course teaches you how to climb routes that span multiple pitches, where efficiency, communication, and rope management are just as important as climbing ability.
This course is about learning the systems and decision-making required to multi[itch climb safely — in a calm, structured, and supportive way.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal if you:
Are confident seconding or leading single-pitch climbs
Want to progress onto longer routes
Feel unsure about stances, changeovers, or rope systems
Want a solid foundation before tackling bigger climbs
You don’t need prior multipitch experience, but a basic level of outdoor climbing confidence is important.
What Skills Will You Learn on an Intro to multipitch climbing course?
During the course, you’ll work on:
Multipitch rope systems
Building and managing stances
Belaying directly from the anchor (where appropriate)
Efficient changeovers between pitches
Communication between climber and belayer
Abseiling and retreat considerations
The focus is on clarity, efficiency, and safety, rather than speed.
How the Day Runs (Public Courses)
Public Intro to Multipitch courses typically:
Start at 09:00
Finish around 16:00
Take place on suitable, beginner-friendly multipitch routes
Progress from ground-based systems to real routes
The day is structured to allow repetition and consolidation.
Bespoke Intro to Multipitch Courses
Bespoke courses allow the day to be tailored around you.
Before the course, we’ll discuss:
Your climbing background
Experience with belays and rope systems
Your objectives for multipitch climbing
This allows us to tailor:
Venue and route choice
Pace and complexity
Skills focus
Ideal if you want focused progression or are learning with a regular partner.
How Demanding Is the Course?
Mentally engaging, with sustained concentration. Physically, routes are chosen to allow learning without fatigue becoming the main challenge.
What You’ll Leave With
By the end of the course, you should feel:
Confident with basic multipitch systems
Comfortable managing stances and changeovers
Clear on communication and rope management
Ready to practice on easier multipitch routes independently
What Comes Next?
Intro to Multipitch Climbing naturally leads into:
If you’d like help choosing between a public course or a bespoke navigation day, or you’re unsure which level is right for you, either check out my course selecter below, or just get in touch — I’m always happy to help you find the best fit.
Comments