Learn to Lead Climb with Confidence - Long Weekend
  • Plas y Brenin
  • 3 Days
  • 6 People to 1 instructor

Learn to Lead Climb with Confidence - Long Weekend

  • Climb
  • Intermediate
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Overview

Taking the lead for the first time is an exciting milestone in any climber's journey. It opens up new possibilities, brings a greater sense of adventure and introduces a whole new set of skills and decisions. Our three-day Learn to Lead Climb with Confidence course is designed to help you make the transition from seconding outdoor climbs to taking your first steps into traditional lead climbing.

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The Objectives

Based in the heart of Eryri, you'll learn from experienced climbing instructors on some of the area's fantastic natural rock.
Over the week, you will:

  • Explore the responsibilities of the lead climber, and the differences between leading and seconding.
  • Learn how to choose, place and assess common protection such as nuts, hexes and cams.
  • Develop an understanding of anchor building, equalisation, and appropriate belay options.
  • Practice rope management, clipping protection, and communicating effectively with your climbing partner.
  • Improve your route reading, balance, footwork and ability to identify suitable positions for placing protection.
  • Recognise the consequences of a fall, assess gear options, and make informed decisions about route choice, risk, and personal abilities
  • Progressively apply your skills on suitable climbing terrain with instructor guidance.
  • Develop an understanding of the skills, experience and judgement needed to continue progressing beyond the course.

Itinerary

* Please note: Itinerary is subject to weather and availability.

Day 1 – Understanding traditional lead climbing

We'll begin by discussing your previous climbing experience and what you'd like to achieve from the weekend. Heading to a suitable crag, we'll get climbing right away then might look at equipment selection, gear, and considerations of leading. You might place gear at ground-level, to practice assessing quality and limitations.
Where appropriate, we'll introduce supported exercises that allow you to practise leading skills while remaining protected by an independent safety system.

Day 2 – Developing the skills to lead
We'll build on your understanding of traditional protection and introduce the skills needed to manage a complete climb. We might look at building belays and rope management, and practice placing gear whilst on rock using a top-rope. We'll also discuss route selection, hazards, and strategies for the mental challenges of leading. There may be opportunities to practise leading suitable routes with appropriate instructor supervision and additional protection.


Day 3 – Taking your first steps on the sharp end
Our final day provides the opportunity to bring together the skills developed throughout the weekend. You might practice leading whilst supported by a rope from above, or maybe have a go at your first independent lead climb, with an instructor on a rope next to you to watch every step of the way.
We'll finish with individual feedback and a personal progression plan.

This itinerary is indicative. Venues, routes and activities will be adapted to suit the group's experience, abilities and prevailing weather and rock conditions. Opportunities to lead cannot be guaranteed.

Experience Required

This course is designed for climbers who are confident with the basics of outdoor climbing and want to learn to lead traditional routes.

You should:
Have previous experience of outdoor rock climbing, ideally as a second.
Be comfortable tying into a climbing rope and using a harness and helmet.
Be able to belay a climbing partner using an appropriate belay device.
Be familiar with basic climbing communication

You don't need previous trad leading experience or knowledge of placing traditional protection.

Available Course Dates

Start the booking process by selecting a course date, then adjust your details to suit your requirements.

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost*
Course Start Date
9th July, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£405.00
Residential:
£615.00
Course Start Date
28th August, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£405.00
Residential:
£615.00

*If your course is based at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig, residential prices include catering from the morning of your course start date and cover the duration of your course, accommodation starts on the night before your course commences to the morning of the last day of your booking.

Your Booking

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost
You have reached the maximum number of places for this course. To book further places, please call +44 (0) 1690 720 214
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