What to Expect on a Rock Climbing Course in the Peak District

It's spring. The forecast looks good and you're free next weekend. You've been climbing down the wall with friends over the winter and, finally, it's time to venture outside. Another friend wants to come too. They haven't climbed before but are keen to give it a go.

A beautiful drive through Winnats Pass sees the three of you arrive at The Adventure Hub, our training centre in Bamford. The fourth member of the group came by train to Hope Station, five minutes up the road, and is already there.

It's brews all round as you meet the instructor and discuss plans for the day over a guidebook. She's keen to find out about the group's climbing experience and what you'd like to gain from the session. Rock boots are sorted for the first-timer, and they borrow a harness and helmet too (no charge). The rest of you only need helmets, as you already have boots and a harness from climbing indoors. Then it's time to load up the minibus and head to the crag.

After only 10 minutes you arrive at Burbage Valley. It's a lovely day and there's a perfect westerly breeze to keep things cool, and the midges at bay!

There are loads of people about and it's only 10.15am, but with the instructor's local knowledge you head for the far end of Burbage North and soon have the crag to yourselves.

The instructor shows the beginner how to put on their harness and helmet while the rest of you get ready, then heads to the top of the cliff.

Before long two ropes are snaking their way down the rock. She explains that the first rope runs between two vertical jamming cracks, graded Hard Very Difficult and Severe. The second follows a slabby arête just to the right, where laybacking and smearing could be involved. It's even harder, Hard Severe in fact, but the instructor explains how the tricky start can be bypassed by a short traverse in from an adjacent line. This cleverly means there are four routes to try with only two ropes set up. A ratio of 1:4 also means everyone has something to do: more action and less waiting!

The climbing jargon is new to you, but after a quick hand-jam demonstration at the bottom of the crag and a run through of belay technique everyone is feeling confident and ready to go. You're up first with a mate belaying. The instructor tails the rope and looks on as you both complete a buddy check. She suggests giving your rock boots a clean before setting off, to increase friction and reduce polish on the holds. You were a little nervous about heights before today, but the crag here is only a few metres tall and the gritstone wonderfully grippy and reassuring in hand and underfoot. And then you're climbing, palming and smearing upwards, all very different to following coloured blobs indoors. Better. But suddenly there aren't any holds, only an unhelpful crack.

You remember the instructor's advice, that sometimes the feature is the hold, so you try a layback. It doesn't work. Arms failing, legs shaking, everyone is urging you on. 'Hand jam!' someone shouts. Adjusting your body position, you stuff a hand into the crack, thumb up, feeling for any constrictions as you were told. It works! The rock bites, and with the jam secure you extend upwards to glory and the finishing holds. Elated, your mate takes the rope in tight and lowers you back to the ground under the watchful eye of the instructor. The day continues in much the same way, moving along the crag from area to area.

At times the instructor may help the first-timer practise belaying, or talk about the rack and how to place gear, which you get to try. Everyone especially enjoys watching her rig belay anchors, but there's so much to take in you decide to come back another day. After all, there's rock to climb! Eventually it's time to head back to the centre for tea and a debrief. You take a photo of the guidebook pages so you remember which climbs you did, and then it's time to say goodbye.

Ready to try it? Our Beginner Rock Climbing Course is the place to start. For a taste of a Pure Outdoor climbing day, watch Pure Outdoor TV on YouTube.