Sport-climbing Lead Essentials

Sport Lead Climbing essentials - What's it all about?

Sport climbing is a brilliant step up from top roping and bouldering. It's the gateway to the outdoors and is perfect for building movement skills. On this course we split our time between a climbing wall where you will learn the basics on day 1 and then develop your skills with the aim of learning to lead an outdoors pitch on Day 2.

Price

£280 for 1 person (click here for information on how to join an open session)

£190/Person for 2-4 clients

U18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Duration

2 day

Locations

Bristol/Chippenham and crags across the SW region.

 

Skills

• Day 1:
• A refresh of your belay and knot skills before progressing to lead belaying.
• An overview of the equipment you'll need to sport climb indoors and outdoors.
• What's the process of leading?
• How do you choose routes and how do you know how hard they will be for you?
• How to clip your rope to quickdraws quickly and efficiently.
• How to clip the chains at the top and descend safely.
• "Ghost" leading and potentially a real lead if you feel ready.
• Day 2:
• What the differences between leading inside and outside are.
• How to clip quickdraws into bolts and thread the chains safely to descend.
• How to protect fixed equipment and why it's a good idea.
• Ghost leading routes in preparation for a real lead.
• A supervised load which allows you to lead next to an instructor who can help.
• What are the environmental factors you'll need to consider when visiting outdoor crags.

Ideal for:

Beginner to Intermediate climbers and boulderers who have been top-roping or used the autobelays at a wall.

Ratio

4:1 Maximum

Fitness requirements

Low to Medium.  If you're not sure please contact us.

Prior experience required

You should already be toproping or using autobelay devices at an indoor centre. So you'll most likely know how to belay a climber on top-rope, have done some bouldering and know how to tie in. If you're quite there yet, consider our Rock Climbing Basics or Rock Climbing Essentials course