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intro to trad climbing course

rock climbing 

intro to trad

Our Intro to Trad course is designed to get you moving outside on rock and open the door to rock climbing in the UK. 

We will be looking at movement techniques, tactics for outdoor climbing, rope work, belaying and trad gear; how it works & how to place it.

 

This course is delivered by mountain professionals that are affiliated with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors 

1 DAY COURSE

PRICES 

£120pp

View Dates 

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OVERVIEW

An Intro to Trad course is designed to provide participants with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for safe and enjoyable rock climbing. This introductory course typically covers basic climbing techniques, equipment, tactics for outdoor climbing, and technical aspects such as rope work, belaying, placing traditional gear and understanding how to operate with nuts, cams and hexes. 

This course is ideal for those looking for safe way in to the world of trad climbing, or for folk looking at moving from indoors to outdoors and take their climbing to the next level. 

COURSE OUTLINE: 

Background

An awareness of the types of places you can climb in the UK and Ireland, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette and the work of the mountaineering councils.

Physical Skills

Fundamental movement skills and climbing styles are explored throughout the day.  Our instructors are on hand to offer coaching and introduce a foundation of climbing movement skills to you that will help towards your climbing progression. 

Tactics for Outdoor Climbing 

What to look for when climbing outside, route reading, looking at guidebooks, understanding the rock and how to operate on different rock types. 

Footwear and Equipment

Footwear and equipment selection and how to use the kit you choose. E.g. types of shoes, harnesses and technical gear such as: cams, nuts, hexes and ropes. 

Technical Skills

Tying into a harness, belaying and abseiling, predominately with a back up rope.  These are all fundamental climbing skills and we will teach you up to date best practice and build your understanding towards safe climbing practice.

Hazards and Emergency Procedures

Identifying hazards, managing risk, understanding common injuries, how to get help and the role of Mountain Rescue and associated emergency services.

SKILLS COVERED: 

Technical gear and its application
Fundamental climbing skills
Tying in, belaying
Placing and removing gear
Movement coaching and climbing styles

Basic rope work as necessary to the day
Descent - being lowered & abseiling

Lots of climbing

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learning to second trad climbs

BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO:

Have covered trad climbing throughout the day and developed your understanding of the climbing process

Have a fundamental understanding of trad gear, its uses and its placement, 

Have built some technical competence and an awareness of safe practice, 

Have enjoyed a good proportion of climbing over the course duration

WHY CHOOSE US?

Small Group Sizes:

Our low instructor-to-participant ratio ensures personalised attention and maximum learning opportunities.

Certified Instructors:

Our experienced and certified instructors are dedicated to your safety and skill development.

Real-World Application:

The course is designed to equip you with practical skills for independent rock climbing adventures.

Beautiful Locations:

Enjoy learning in some of the most scenic rock climbing environments in the Lake District.

dates

28th March 2025

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15th April 2025

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11th May 2025

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4th June 2025

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18th August 2025

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These courses can be run bespoke for you on any date of your choosing in Spring, Summer and Autumn ​​​​

Course Ratios

1:2 Ratio (max ratio) 

This course can be delivered 1-1 for a day rate of £220 - just ask to go bespoke. 1-2 £250 per day. 

An instructor can teach up to 2 people on this course - we can provide additional instructors adhering to our ratios.  

For every 2 climbers we would supply an additional instructor.

 

Our instructors are MCI qualified and associated with AMI. 

Pre-Requisites 

16yrs+ to attend this course

Under 18's must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian

 

We can accommodate under 16's on private days.  This means you can attend as a family for example. (12+) .

No experience necessary

This is an introduction course, come along, learn some skills and get psyched for climbing. 

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Equipment

Harness, helmet, ropes & climbing hardware are available to use and included in the price

We will share kit lists with you during the booking stage

You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing and have your own rock shoes. 

Click here for a rock shoes buyers guide

Rock shoes need to be comfortable; take a look at the beginner shoes on the above guide. 

Venue

These courses use the North Lakes and we use the crags of Borrowdale to deliver the outline of the course. 

We will meet at the Keswick Climbing Wall cafe for 9:00am

Here we will discuss your aims and outline the course structure. 

We use crags such as Black Crag, Bowderstone Crag, Shepherd's Crag, Glaciated Slab as examples.

It is possible to lift share from the meeting location. Keswick is accessible via bus (£2 bus fares) ​

Not quite what you're looking for?

Hire our Lake District Mountaineering instructors for private and tailored programmes.

Suited to your goals & ambitions to make the most of YOUR time in the mountains. 

Day rates: 

1:1 £225

1:2 £125pp

Climbing in Langdale in the Lake District

CONTACT

We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals. 

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Phone or WhatsApp:

07458353048

If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a voicemail or text message where possible.

Thank you

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