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.
Trad climbing course dates
Please contact me for dates
For bookings, private courses or questions get in touch hello@dannywg.com
