Introduction to Traditional Climbing

Objective: Within this advanced course the participants will learn and will be fully responsible for protecting themselves through the placement of traditional “clean climbing” gear. 

Duration: 2 days

Price: $370 per day divided by up to four clients.

This technical course teaches aspiring traditional leaders how to gain the confidence to lead single pitch routes requiring use of traditional (“Trad”) gear while advancing muscle movement skills and the applied expertise to accelerate one’s growth towards multi-pitch climbing. This introductory course helps climbers plan and navigate the often daunting steps to becoming a fully self sufficient trad climber. 

This two day course will be taught at a 4:1 ratio maximum. We as a guide service limit the ratio to no more than 4:1 as any more participants would prevent us from covering all the material in a timely manner while gauging performance. 

Prerequisites/Requirements: A solid base with an understanding of lead climbing indoors or outside, belaying with a Gri-gri or Plated device, a positive attitude and willingness to learn while stepping way outside one’s comfort zone. *Top Rope Anchors Course preferred but not required.

Within this advanced course the participants will learn and will be fully responsible for protecting themselves through the placement of traditional “clean climbing” gear. 

What will be taught in this course is the placement of active (cams, tri-cams) and passive gear (nuts, hexes), considerations with regards to anchor construction on natural features and rock quality, lead climbing to and belaying from natural features, anchor station management (*belaying from above), rope management, communication between climbers and the fine art of reading a route from the ground. This course will give participants the skills to ascend single pitch traditional routes as well as help to advance one’s knowledge on approaching sport climbs in general.

You will spend the first day climbing multiple pitches from easy to relatively difficult to familiarize oneself with the rock, the gear, and honing in the technique needed to excel on day 2. The second day in this two part series will cover in detail all learning points described above. These are two intensive and hugely rewarding days with an expert PCGI Guide/Instructor learning and practicing skills and techniques specific to leading traditional routes.