Learn to Lead Traditional Climbs - Full Day

Location

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Group Size

4 people per guide

Duration

8 hours

Not every climb is protected by bolts. Because many climbs do not need them and can be protected with removeable protection such as cams or stoppers. This helps preserve the rock but also some of the most classic climbs around the world on rock faces as well as backcountry mountain climbs require these skills. Places like Eldorado Canyon, Yosemite, Moab, and many more have some of the most classic traditional climbs that can only be climbed by people who know how to place gear correctly. With many crags across Colorado being perfect training grounds there are plenty of opportunities to learn and improve your trad leading skills with the help of knowledgeable guides who can teach you the best techniques for leading trad climbs.

What You'll Learn

 

Climbers who want to climb in some of the most amazing places in Colorado like Eldorado Canyon or Unaweep Canyon should think of this course as the basis for starting in those places. During this Trad Leading course participants will learn:

• How to provide a solid lead belay that makes you a sought after climbing partner.
• How to place different types of protection such as cams, stoppers, and tricams.
• How to utilize removable protection that increases the safety of both the leader and the follower and evaluate the hazards and ratings of different climbs.
• How to utilize fixed anchors for descending or when and how to build strong anchors and utilize walk-offs.
• Assessing safety systems and performing safety checks for lead climbing and how to avoid bad habits and evaluate all the hazards of trad leading.
• Outdoor climbing etiquette and ethics for new outdoor leaders.

After taking this climbing course participants should feel capable of leading and descending climbs using removable protection such as cams, stoppers, tricams, and other forms of removeable protection.