Introduction to Trad Climbing

Location

Boulder, Colorado

Group Size

5 people per guide

Duration

2 days

COVID-19 policy

Traditional, or “Trad” climbing, involves placing your own protection as you go. This opens up a whole new world to explore, and enables you to climb thousands of routes that go without bolts whether it’s in Colorado or elsewhere. Learning to trad climb is exciting, fun and very rewarding as you learn to diligently problem solve. Once you’ve begun to master movement in outdoor climbing, trad offers an additional puzzle to figure out along your way - how do I stick these things in the wall? We’re talking trad gear; nuts, cams, slings, ropes and other tools of the trade! Racking gear is pretty satisfying, and we all love to jingle our way up the wall.

Join our AMGA guides and instructors in Denver, Golden, and Boulder for a two-day course that will help you build a solid foundation in the art of traditional gear placement, anchor building, multi-pitch logistics, terrain management, basic self rescue, and more. We’ll help equip you with the tools you need to tackle any “problem” you encounter on a trad climb - how to identify cracks and constrictions, place gear, read wandering routes, and properly protect them. What’s a twin rope? Why does this rope say it’s only a half rope? We’ll answer these questions and more.

A big part of a successful trad climb is building simple, safe, and efficient anchor systems for you and your partner. If you’ve done any sport climbing, you’re well familiar with bolts and how convenient it is to anchor to them. But in traditional “clean” climbing, there are none! We’ll work together to demonstrate multiple types of climbing anchors that you can use and adapt to your style, and develop that keen eye for choosing great belays.

Like your first time outdoor climbing, trad climbing can be intimidating! But Golden Mountain Guides is excited to help you crack the code and get you out there plugging gear.

The Intro to Trad course is for climbers who have mastered the basics and want to take their climbing to the next level. Throughout this two day course, you will learn the necessary skills to climb both single and multi pitch trad routes while learning new technical systems and practicing movement skills. There is a strong emphasis in this course on gear placement and anchor construction.

Golden Mountain Guides

View Website Golden, Colorado (720) 598-2864

Every experience with Golden Mountain Guides is a journey with the power to teach lifelong lessons and perseverance through challenges. As a small, family run business, we value the importance of personal connection, self discovery, and the joy that mountains can add to life. We aim to not just guide, but create meaningful connections through incredible experiences as your climbing partner. Our highly qualified team of AMGA Certified Guides have the skills and knowledge to create a transformative mountain adventure that inspires you to reach beyond your personal limitations and escape the ordinary. Our climbing and skiing trips and courses meet you on your level, whether you are an experienced adventurer or just starting out.

The Guides

Tristan Perry

Contact

Where you'll meet

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The details

What to bring

Please use this packing list as you start to plan for your course. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have questions about specific gear needs.

Mountain envirnonments have the potential to change rapidly and it's essential to be prepared with the proper equipment. Summer temperatures range from 50°F to upwards of 100°F depending on the location. Large afternoon thunderstorms are also common during the summer months. Spring and Fall temperatures can range from 30°F to 80°F, with mornings being on the brisk side. Winter temperatures can range from 0°F to 60°F.

We will be outside for almost the entirety of both course days. Please arrive dressed for the weather and ready to go. Plan to have appropriate footwear as we will be navigating some rocky terrain around the base of the crags. NO sandals or flipflops.

Climbing Equipment

Helmet
Harness
Rock climbing shoes
5 Locking carabiners (HMS style preferred)
4 wiregate carabiners (Same brand and style preffered)
Belay device (Manual braking with the ability to accomodate two ropes)
Assisted braking device
120cm nylon sling
Quadruple length dyneema sling (240cm length)
Sterling Hollowblock or other prussik/autoblock cord
7mm cordelette (20ft length)
Alpine runners (at least 10 60cm runners)
Spring loaded camming devices (standard rack is singles from .3 to 3)
Set of stoppers/nuts
Nut removal tool
Tricams/hexes (optional)
Climbing rope (9.4mm to 9.8mm is a great size. 60m or 70m in length)

We always encourage using your own climbing equipment for personal comfort, however, we can provide any of the above equipment for your use. If you don't have any traditional climbing gear, we highly encourage you to try all the different gear you'll encounter on this course, and then purchase what you really like.

Clothing

Quick drying athletic style t-shirt
Sun hoody (lightweight synthetic or wool)
Synthetic pants/shorts (please no cotton or jeans)
Fleece or synthetic mid-layer
Softshell jacket
Waterproof rain jacket (doubles as a windbreaker)
Tennis shoes, hiking shoes, or approach shoes (PLEASE NO OPEN TOE SHOES)
Wool or sythetic socks

Personal Items

2L of water (bottles or camelback)
Sunscreen and lip balm
Food and high energy snacks
30L or 40L backpack (make sure all your gear can fit inside)
Personal medications
Sunglasses
Camera

Cancellation Policy

Private Trips

A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking. Full payment must be made 72 hours before the trip date. Trip reservations must be canceled at least 72 hours (three days) prior to your trip to receive a full refund. Trips canceled within 72 hours are not eligible to receive any refund but may be eligible for rescheduling. No-shows will not be eligible for any refund or reschedule. In the event Golden Mountain Guides has to cancel a trip due to weather or other safety concerns, a full refund will be given or the class will be rescheduled.

Courses

A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking. Full payment must be made 7 days prior to the class date. Class reservations must be canceled at least 7 days (1 week) prior to the class to be eligible to receive a refund minus a $50 admin fee. Class cancellations within a week are not eligible to receive any refund but may be eligible for a future class date entry. No-shows will not be eligible for any refund or rescheduling. In the event that Golden Mountain Guides needs to cancel a class due to weather or other safety concerns, a full refund will be given or the class will be rescheduled.