In this 2-day course you will learn important skills that build upon what you have learned in the gym so you can begin to climb sport routes outside safely and efficiently. You will learn how to read the rock, belay properly from the ground and from the anchor, build safe equalized anchors, clean anchors and rappel, move efficiently, lead safely, and manage the rope, all while outside in the variable vertical world.
2024 Course Dates:
In this 2-day course we will teach you important skills that build upon what you have learned in the gym so you can begin to climb sport routes outside safely and efficiently. You will learn how to read the rock, belay properly, build safe and equalized anchors, clean anchors, move efficiently, lead safely, and manage the rope in the variable vertical outside world. This course is slightly more advanced than our Intro to Rock climbing course, as it is expected that you have the basic knowledge and experience that comes from gym climbing such as tying in, top rope belaying, and clipping quickdraws while lead climbing.
This course is also a great refresher for people who just haven't climbed outside in awhile. You will learn the most up to date technical practices in the industry.
This course is a great stepping stone toward our Lead Sport or Lead Trad Climbing Course.
Rock Climbing Skills: moderate (minimum 5.7)
Fitness Level: Moderately Strenuous (multiple pitches per day)
Technical Skills Required: Moderate
Curriculum:
- Learn to identify, assess, and mitigate outdoor climbing hazards
- Essential gear and necessary skills for when you encounter unexpected circumstances on the wall or at the anchor
- Climbing movement on natural rock
- Various ways of cleaning a top-rope anchor and rappelling down safely
- Building safe and equalized anchors when the bolts or chains are not straightforward
- Multiple different knots, the pros and cons of each, and their different applications
- Different belaying techniques and how they apply to different circumstances the lead climber is encountering on the wall
- How to belay a climber up while you are at the top anchor
- Rope management, on the wall and on the ground
- Using Guidebooks, apps, the internet, and other resources to help choose routes you want to do and find them on the wall
- Climbing etiquette at the crag
