Learn to Lead Climb
This is a progression course for climbers ready to pull on to the sharp end and begin leading traditional routes
Duration: 2 or 5 days
Are you a competent second wanting to progress in your climbing career to leading traditional routes? Perhaps you are a pair of friends who want to learn how to climb self-sufficiently as a team? Then this course is for you.
As well as teaching you to make solid gear placements, build sound anchors and make confident and safe decisions, we’ll work on your mental resilience and head game - a trait that is almost more important than physical strength.
Delivered at a variety of crags within the Mourne Mountains.
£240 per person (2 days)
£500 per person (5 days)
Minimum of 2 participants. For smaller groups, please see our Private guiding & Instruction course.
Course Content (2 Days)
We’ll start by having a chat to discuss your level of experience and personal aspirations before moving on to the following topics:
A recap of core rock climbing skills. This is a refresher of day 2 from our Discover Rock Climbing course, but we’ll cover these topics in detail as necessary.
Holding falls and lowering
Tying into in reach and out of reach multi-point anchors using only the rope
Learning to place rock-climbing protection equipment such as nuts, cams and hexes and assessing the validity of a placement
Interpreting the guidebook and selecting a route
Developing lead climbing skills
Setting up an abseil and abseiling self-sufficiently
Discussion on climbing grades, conservation, access, ethics and all other things climbing!
As much time as possible will be spent teaching on graded rock climbs. The two day course will focus on ensuring participants have the necessary skills in place before beginning to lead. It may not be possible for everyone to reach the stage of leading a graded climb during the 2 day course, but we will assess this as the course goes on.
Extended Course (5 Days)
If you opt for the five day course, we’ll look at developing your lead climbing skills further, ensuring you get a lot of time on rock and working on developing the mental robustness required for lead climbing.
We’ll look further at belay building and equalising anchor points with a sling.
By the end of the course you will hopefully have the necessary skills and confidence to lead a graded route, build a belay on both in reach and out of reach terrain, bring up a second and carry out an abseil retreat under observation.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to bring the below kit:
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Warm outdoor wear
Appropriate footwear for the intended course
Warm hat
Leather palmed gloves (for rope work) if possible
Water bottle
Lunch
Personal medications
Suncream & sun hat
What’s included?
The following kit will be provided by Adventure Climbing Company on the day. You may bring your own if you have it:
Climbing ropes
Climbing rack
Harness
Helmet
Chalk bag
Rock shoes
Belay plate