Indoor Climbing

Learn to Lead

Lead climbing truly is the pinnacle of indoor climbing. Our learn to lead course will equip you with all the knowledge you need to not only climb safely with the rope below you, but also belay a lead climber safely and efficiently. In addition to the technical content we will also introduce some more advanced climbing and movement skills which not only make lead climbing easier, but also more enjoyable.

Upcoming open sessions:

None at this time

Any pre-requisites?

You should be able to comfortably toprope most grade 5 indoor climbs before coming on the course. Ideally you will be climbing at or above 6a standard indoors. While this may seem restrictive it ensures you have the toprope experience required and have a certain amount of climbing skill, stamina and endurance, required for this physically demanding course.
The exception to this are climbing partners who know they will not lead climb but want to be able to belay their partner safely and effectively. Please let us know if this describes you.

What will you learn?

Lead climbing equipment
Belaying a lead climber
Safe and effective clipping
Fall mechanics and dynamic belaying
Efficient climbing movement

What can you expect?

Learn to lead climb safely, effectively and methodically. You will learn correct lead clipping and lead belaying technique with a clear focus on good, safe and consistent technique.

After the usual introductions, safety brief and warm up, your instructor will start by introducing you to the dark art of clipping. Through a methodical approach in our teaching we aim to eradicate the majority of clipping problems before you even get off the ground. On to the topic of belaying and the specific techniques required to keep your climber safe should longer falls occur. This is followed by some practical experience in both clipping and belaying in a simulated setting and the safety of a toprope.
Don't be fooled though, while the content may not appear to be a lot, the increased risk of "hitting the deck" in lead climbing means you will repeat each section until your instructor is satisfied with your performance.
Armed with the relevant knowledge we will then steadily decrease the influence of the toprope, hopefully leading up to your first actual lead climb at your instructor's discretion.

What do you need to bring?

You will already be a competent toprope climber and as such possess suitable toprope climbing equipment. If you use any specialist belay devices (anything other than a standard tube device, e.g. ATC, Bug etc) please let us know when booking so we can prepare accordingly. We provide all ropes used in the training, but feel free to bring your own if you have it.

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What do our difficulty values mean?
	Suitable for beginners with little or no previous knowledge and experience. For walking activities you should be able to walk at a slow to average pace continuously for 30 minutes.
	Suitable for intermediates with basic knowledge and previous experience. Walking participants should be able to walk at an average pace continuously for 1 hour. Climbing participants should be able to pass a belay test and/or demonstrate good bouldering practice.
	Suitable for those competent at and comfortable with the basics of the activity. Walking participants should be able to walk at an average pace and ascent rate continuously for 1 hour. For mountain activities, you should be a little sure-footed and not hugely afraid of heights, as activities may include short sections of exposure and steep ground. Climbing participants should be able to comfortably and competently top-rope grade 5 climbs or boulder the equivalent.
	Suitable for experienced participants with above average fitness and knowledge. Walking participants are expected to be able to walk at an average pace and rate of ascent continuously for 1 hour over broken terrain. For mountain activities you are expected to be sure-footed, have a moderate head for heights and be happy with longer stretches of moderate exposure. Climbing participants are expected to competently lead climb/belay and climb grade 5 indoors (or the equivalent boulder grade).
	Suitable for very experienced participants with high degrees of fitness and above average knowledge of the basics. Walking participants are expected to be able to walk to Naismith's rule (3-4km/hr + 1min/10m ascent) steadily for long periods of time over broken and complex terrain. For mountain activities you are expected to have a good sense of balance, be sure-footed and happy with long stretches of, at times severe, exposure. Participants are expected to show high levels of competence and self-sufficiency in their disciplines.

Our current private course price list:
For the prices listed here, we deliver a private booking just for you, on your chosen date and time. Where practical we will deliver the booking in your chosen location, though any areas outside of our usual operational areas may incur extra travel costs. We will let you know should this be the case. You will receive a full breakdown of costs with your quote.
Scrambling	£180 for the first 2 participants, £45 for each additional participant	A significant portion of the day is spent scrambling in complex, rocky and steep terrain.
Mountain Walk	£180 for the first 4 participants, £45 for each additional participant	Most of the day is spent walking in the mountains, though short sections of scrambling and steep terrain may be encountered.
Hill Walking	£170 for the first 4 participants, £25 for each additional participant	Days involving no possibility of scrambling and encountering rocky or steep terrain.
Lowland Walking	£160 for the first 6 participants, £20 for each additional participant
Beginner Navigation	£390 for the first 4 participants, £75 for each additional participant	2 days learning the fundamentals of navigating with map and compass.
Intermediate Navigation	£410 for the first 4 participants, £100 for each additional participant	2 days intermediate navigation, learning to navigate off path and across open countryside.
Advanced Navigation	£360 for the first 2 participants, £120 for each additional participant	2 day advanced navigation course learning to navigate in mountaineous terrain and remote countryside.