Trad Climbing

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Trad climbing is all about placing your own protection when you go out climbing. No pre-placed bolts, but you do have a rack of climbing gear – nuts, cams, hexes, slings and more!

Top rope setups – 1 Day
This course will give you all the skills you need to get outside climbing. It is ideal for anyone who wants to top rope outside or for parents who want to take their kids out climbing on real rock.
Prerequisites – None

Intro to outdoor climbing gear
Anchor selection and testing
Different Top Rope systems
Equalizing anchors
Climbing knots
Keeping yourself safe at the top of the crag
Top rope belaying
Safe guarding climbers
The difference between outdoor and indoor climbing movement
Guide book interpretation
Crag etiquette

Learn to Trad Lead – 2-5 days (depending on prior experience)
This course will get you trad leading and will give you all the knowledge to be a safe climber. This can all be done at single pitch crags or the second half of the course could be delivered on multi pitch crags.
Prerequisites – Have some climbing experience

What gear to have on your trad rack
Climbing movement
The difference between Trad belaying and sport belaying
Lead climbing
Correct placement of trad gear
Placing Hexes as active protection
Avoiding over and under camming of friends
A variety of different belay setups to suit all situations
Equalizing anchors
Spotting and avoiding common problems / mistakes most trad climbers make
Guide book interpretation
Crag etiquette

Trad Improvers – 1 Day
This course is ideal for people who have done some trad leading but would like to check that they are being as safe. I will also build on your knowledge and give you new skills and techniques.
Prerequisites – Some experience lead climbing

Gear inspection
Climbing technique
Rock types
Specific protection depending on rock types
Efficient / improved gear placement
Building better belays
Trad climbing tactics
Using half ropes

When running trad courses I employ a variety of different techniques to keep your learning progressive and to help keep you safe. For example, after you have learned everything thing you need to know at ground level and you are ready for your first lead, I will be ascending a fixed line next to you. This is so I can help to ensure your safety, make sure you are doing everything correctly and to teach you new things (and to clip you in if the stress gets too much 😉 ).

If you would like more information or if you have any questions then please drop me an email hello@dannywg.com.