Our Learn to Lead Trad Climbs course is perfect for climbers who have a solid foundation in trad climbing and are ready to take the next step. This course focuses on the skills needed to lead trad routes safely and confidently. You’ll learn to place protection on the go, build and assess anchors, manage risks, and lead climbs while staying in control. With expert guidance and plenty of hands-on practice, this course will equip you with the skills and confidence to safely lead trad climbs in the wild.
About
Price: This course costs £250 per day and can have up to two participants. I recommended to have 2 days to cover the syllabus and consolidate skills.
Private Bookings: See booking form here
What Does This Course Cover?
- Review of Trad Climbing Fundamentals: A review of placing protection, building anchors, and seconding trad routes.
- Placing gear on the go: Get familiar place gear on the go as you climb, ensuring proper placement for cams and nuts.
- Building and Assessing Anchors: Master the skills to build solid, safe anchors.
- Route Reading: Assess routes from the ground before climbing and have a plan.
- Risk Management and Lead Climbing Safety: Focus on strategies for managing risk, including protecting yourself and your second, assessing fall potential, and knowing when to retreat.
- Climbing Techniques for Lead: Improve your movement and efficiency on rock while leading and placing gear.
- Climbing Communication: Learn effective communication with your belayer, including standard climbing commands.
- Lead Belaying: Lead belay well to keep the leader safe.
- Handling Falling and Lead Falls: Gain the confidence to handle falls, both as a leader and belayer, including techniques for minimizing risk and maintaining control.
- Hands-on Experience: You’ll spend the day leading real trad routes, with instructors providing on-the-spot feedback and support to help you refine your skills.
This course will prepare you to safely lead trad climbs, assess routes, manage risks, and place protection on the go, building the confidence to tackle more challenging outdoor climbing adventures.
Leading for real on this course is conditional on demonstrating good gear placements and lead belaying skills from participants.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for climbers who have some experience placing trad protection, building anchors and belaying, who want to take the next step to lead trad climbs. If you are not quite at this stage, consider our Learn Trad Climbing Fundamentals course or combine them for a comprehensive experience.
This course can have up to two participants.
Under 18s are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent throughout. The parent does not need to take part, but they can if they want to!
If you have never climbed before, you may enjoy a climbing taster session!
Where is it?
For our Trad Climbing Skills Sessions we regularly use the following areas;
- Sea cliffs south of Aberdeen at Cove and Newtonhill.
- Sea cliffs north of Aberdeen at Cruden Bay
- Crags inland at Ballater
- Crags inland at Glen Clova
Looking for a different location? Get in touch as we can travel further afield.
What Kit Do I Need?
- Climbing Harness* – If you have your own, bring it along
- Climbing Shoes*
- Chalk Bag & Chalk – Not essential but aids friction.
- Belay Device* – If you have one, bring it along
- Rack (Cams, Nuts, Quickdraws)* – If you have your own, bring them along. It’s great to get experience using your own!
- Helmet* – If you have your own, bring it along
- Clothing – Lots of warm layers to climb in and spares to keep warm whilst belaying. Gloves for belaying if it’s a cold day and waterproofs if raining.
- Water & Lunch/Snacks – Stay hydrated and energized throughout the day.
* Cove climbing can provide all the items with an asterisk but if you have your own please bring them along too!
Why Choose Cove Climbing?
Liam has been climbing for over twelve years and has been professionally qualified and teaching for more than eight. During that time, he has worked with a wide range of clients — from complete beginners to experienced climbers looking to refine their skills — always with a focus on building confident, safe and independent climbers.
With extensive local knowledge and years of personal climbing experience, Liam knows how to get the very best out of each session, choosing the right venues and tailoring instruction to suit your goals and ability.
During busier periods, Cove Climbing is supported by a small team of equally experienced freelance instructors. All are members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI), guaranteeing the highest standards of professionalism, safety and coaching at all times.
You can read our excellent reviews on TripAdvisor here: TripAdvisor.
How do I book or find out more?
If you have any general enquiries about our Learn to Lead Trad Climbs course then get in touch with Liam@coveclimbing.co.uk. If you have already decided this is the course for you then great! Please use the booking form;