Learn to Trad Lead

Learn to lead on trad gear!

The Rock Leader Program is designed for experienced climbers who are ready to take the next step and lead on traditional gear. Leading is one of the most rewarding and liberating forms of climbing — it opens up a whole new world of routes and adventures, and gives you the freedom to explore rock on your own terms.

Like any meaningful skill, leading well takes time, practice, and good mentorship. This course gives you a strong, structured foundation to build from — covering the essential technical skills you need to start leading safely and confidently, and setting you up for a lifetime of growth on the rock.

This is a 3-day program for most climbers, though we’re happy to tailor the experience to your background. If you’re looking for a refresher or feel you don’t need all three days, give us a call and we’ll put together the right plan for you.

Topics covered include:

Placement of traditional protection
Anchor building and cleaning
Belay systems for the leader
Rappelling setups
How to properly protect a pitch of climbing
Route selection and terrain assessment
Fundamental self-rescue solutions to common problems