Learn to Lead Trad Climbing Course

Learn to lead climb on the world class single pitch routes of the Peak District

Summary

You've spent some time on the rock and are ready to take the next step to become an independent rock climber. Building on what you already know we will be there every step of the way, guiding, supporting and encouraging you to succeed. Before you know it you will be literally sitting on top of the world having completed your first independent lead climb.

Learn to Lead Trad Climbing Course

Price : £275.00 per person

Location : Peak District

Duration : 2 Days

Ratio : 1:3

Minimum age : 18

What's Included :
  • All technical instruction and equipment
  • Complimentary use of our bouldering wall after the course
  • Complimentary refreshments
  • Free parking
  • 5% discount on equipment in our shop
  • 5% of sales go to The Pure Outdoor Foundation

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Highlights

  • Low ratio of 3 participants (max) per instructor to maximise climbing time
  • Learn all the skills required to lead climbs safely, efficiently and with confidence
  • Gain experience on the world class single pitch routes of the Peak District

Course Overview

***FREE Guidebook (worth 24.99) with every Climbing Course Booking. Simply add *True Grit Guidebook* as an Add On at checkout and use discount code TRUEGRIT***


If you have already done some climbing and are looking to gain the skills and confidence that you need to become a lead climber on single pitch routes then this is the course for you. Over two days you will learn a 'toolbox' of essential trad lead climbing techniques that will allow you to operate successfully as an independent climber. By keeping the ratio of students to instructors low we ensure that we have sufficient time to have an in-depth approach to your learning. This detailed instruction combined with the wealth of stunning single pitch climbs that are available to us in the Peak District means that you will have had lots of opportunity to put what you learn into practice.


Lead climbing skills are introduced safely and progressively by our highly experienced instructors to ensure that you get the most from your course. You will learn everything you need to know to select an appropriate climb, assess what equipment is required and how best to use it and then climb the route safely and efficiently. By the end of the two days you will feel confident that you can safely lead climb on single pitch routes under your own steam.

Our training centre 'The Adventure Hub' has an indoor climbing facility along with a rope rigging skills and training area. Of course, we are all ready to take you climbing outside on real rock, but for those rainy days when we have exhausted our selection of sheltered crags, it's a great facility and exclusive to Pure Outdoor.

Course Outcomes

  • Gain a thorough knowledge of suitable equipment for lead climbing
  • Be able to build a safe and effective belay anchor
  • Understand correct and efficient placement of protection equipment while climbing
  • Know how to deal with common problems that might occur while leading
  • Understand techniques for rope management and belaying for lead climbs
  • Develop movement skills to improve lead climbing
  • Understand climbing grading systems and use them to select appropriate routes
  • Have a knowledge of climbing etiquette and environmental issues
  • Do a lot of climbing!

Course Information

YOUR LEARN TO LEAD COURSE

2 DAYS
9.30 - 16:30


Two days of learning new skills and refining existing ones to give you the confidence to tackle single pitch climbs completely independently.

ARRIVE AT THE ADVENTURE HUB
Your instructor will welcome you and discuss the aims of the course and you own aspirations over a great cup of fresh Italian coffee or tea.

COLLECT AND CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
You'll begin by checking through any equipment you have brought along with you and picking up anything else that is required from our stores as well as ensuring you are equipped for whatever the weather may throw at you.

TRAVEL TO COURSE LOCATION
The exact location will depend on the weather and the aims and abilities of the group. Most of the venues that we use are approximately 15 minutes drive from our office and when you arrive you can expect to walk for between 5 and 15 minutes to reach the rock itself.

PRACTICAL CLIMBING SESSION

You will spend the whole day working on practical, hands on activities. Initially the focus is on introducing, refreshing and refining the skills associated with seconding a climb including effective and safe belaying of a lead climber. Soon the emphasis moves to lead climbing itself where you will learn the effective placement of protection, develop rope management skills, options for building anchors as well as working on the mental aspects of being a leader. At each stage you will find yourself making progressively more decisions about how to approach a climb with your instructor always available to advise.

BACK TO THE ADVENTURE HUB
Once we are off the hill we will return to the Adventure Hub. With fresh coffee in hand, we summarise the key learning points from the days adventure, discuss your progress so far and set some personalised development targets for your ongoing climbing adventure.

  • We can provide all technical equipment including harness, helmet and rock shoes but if you have any of your own gear please feel free to bring it along
  • Clothing suited to the weather (waterproofs, warm tops, etc )
  • Good comfortable footwear for walking to the crag
  • A good supply of snacks and a drink
  • Sun cream, hat and sunglasses (you just never know!)
Some previous climbing experience along with a good level of general fitness is required. Participants who are already operating at the level of a competent second, perhaps by attending our Improvers Climbing Course, will gain the most from this course.

  • As a Certified B Corp, we’re one of a growing number of global businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.
  • Our well-equipped training centre, The Adventure Hub, is Carbon Neutral.
  • We encourage car sharing wherever feasible.
  • We encourage the use of public transport on all our courses. Bamford Railway Station is 5 minutes' walk and we enjoy direct bus connections to Sheffield and nearby villages.
  • We offer free camping kit for guests staying locally and looking to cut down on luggage.
  • Our staff are trained to prolong the life of equipment used on this course, where it is possible to recycle equipment at the end of its life, we do so appropriately.
  • We operate in small teams at low ratios to reduce our impact on the venues we use and other countryside users.
  • We donate 5% of the value of all sales to The Pure Outdoor Foundation.

  • The physical and mental benefits of outdoor activities are numerous and well documented, we firmly believe that those benefits should be available to as many people as possible.

  • If you are interested in experiencing any of our activities but feel unable to do so then please contact us to discuss your specific needs, we will always try to find a solution that works for you.

  • There are a range of simple adaptions we can make to our scheduled courses such as choosing venues with minimal walking or easy access to toilet facilities, providing cold storage facilities for temperature sensitive medications, allowing additional time or arranging for participants to be accompanied by a trusted aide.

  • When participation as part of an open group isn't appropriate we can arrange private tuition. This allows for a more tailored approach and a much wider range of adaptions such as assisted climbing and abseiling techniques for participants with significant physical or mobility issues.

  • If private tuition is unaffordable then we can sometimes offer subsidised places to bring the price back in line with our scheduled courses .These are provided by the Pure Outdoor Foundation whose goal is to bring as many people as possible into the outdoors, please enquire about availability.


  • Clear communication before the activity is crucial so, as well as telephone and email conversations, we can also arrange to meet participants directly at a venue days or weeks beforehand to identify any specific barriers and begin addressing any anxieties.

FAQs

Start time: 09:30 - Finish time: 16:30. Please note, these times are approximate and could be subject to minor changes. Please leave plenty of time when booking public transport.

Anyone aged 13 or over can attend any of our scheduled courses with the exception of Mountain Biking and Winter Skills where the minimum age is 18 unless accompanied by a parent.

We hold an AALA license and are able to take out children who are younger than 13, however we only offer this on a private guided basis. See our private guiding rates, as this can work out very competitive, especially when booking as a family. There is no maximum age, if you feel young enough to attend then you are very welcome!

This course is a non-residential course, so we do not provide any accommodation. However there are many amazing places to stay locally. Take a look at our accommodation guide in the info section for more information.
Almost all courses begin and end at our base, The Adventure Hub, where you will have access to complimentary tea and coffee. 

We do not provide food as part of our courses and you will need to bring a packed lunch along for each day. There is a cafe on-site that can provide you with sandwiches, cakes and drinks. If you pre-book a lunch with them they will deliver it fresh to our offices first thing each morning. Taste Buds cafe can be reached directly on 01433 208008.

Our instructors can be booked privately to deliver this course. Benefit from private tuition, pick a date that suits you and your instructor can design the day to suit your needs. You can hire one of our instructors from just £250 inc vat per day. (Click here to book a private course)