Learn To Lead Sport! 

Lead climbing outdoors is the next progression from top-roping outdoors and lead climbing in the gym. Gym climbing can teach the basics, but outdoor climbing involves many new skills, including risk assessment, safety, and technique.

This is a two-day course that gives you the time required to practice and solidify new skills under the watchful eye of your guide. Learning to lead safely on bolts outdoors is the focus of this course. If time permits, you may also be introduced to trad gear. Take Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 Rock sequentially and receive 10% off!

Itinerary

Courses are in Squamish from 8am - 4pm. Meet your Guide at Cloudburst Cafe in Squamish at 8am. Your guide will go over the waiver, get you to sign it, and finally check equipment before moving to the crag. Plan to be back at the cars by 4pm.

8am - 4pm 

Pre-requisites

• Experience setting up top rope anchors outdoors.

• Comfortable top roping 5.7 outdoors.

• Level 1 Rock or equivalent and practice.

Waiver

You are required to read the VMG Waiver and agree to it’s terms and conditions prior to paying or signing. Your guide needs to see the emailed waiver verification before participating.

Questions?

Goals

Day 1

• Safety systems and protocols, risk management in the outdoors.

• Route finding, reading topos and guidebooks.

• Communication and commands.

• Lead climbing equipment specifics: shoes, ropes, draws, harness, rope bags, and packs.

• Equipment strength, number of falls on rope, fall factor, fixed gear (bolts).

• Clipping draws into bolts safely, clipping the rope into draws efficiently and safely

• Belaying a lead climber, where to stand, giving slack, being attentive

• Racking up, how to carry gear, bringing the right number of draws.

Day 2

• How to lead climb, techniques for lead climbing safely, risk management.

• Belaying with different devices. Learning the benefits of a Grigri for sport climbing.

• Stick clips, how to improvise, pulling the rope and leaving the first draw clipped.

• Different techniques for clipping draws efficiently, the correct way to face gates.

• Mental aspects of climbing and falling

• Falling safely.

• Cleaning routes, threading the anchor, lowering vs rappelling, overhangs, and tramming.

• Safe rappel technique, extending the rappel, using a back-up, and throwing ropes.

• Next steps: discuss Level 3 and 4 Rock.

Note: Goals are flexible and can be tailored for groups.

Equipment

• Harness

• Helmet (for climbing)

• Rock shoes (required)

• Chalk bag

• Belay Device (Grigri preferred)

• 3 - Locking carabiners (pear-shaped)

• 2 - Carabiners (non-locking)

• 6 - Quickdraws

• 2 - Double length slings (2 x 120cm)

• 1 - Sterling 13.5” Hollowblock

• 9.4-9.8mm x 60-70m rope

• Belay Gloves

Note: VMG can supply all equipment except rock shoes (can rent from Climb On Squamish). Email us what you need.

Fee

$349 +GST (2 days)

Dates

Ratio

1:6 (min 3)

guide : participants

Note: private courses can be organized for 1-2 participants, and groups.