Our Learn Trad Climbing Fundamentals course is perfect for climbers looking to transition from indoor climbing or sport climbing to outdoor trad climbing. This course covers the essentials of placing gear, building anchors, and understanding proper techniques for safe and efficient climbing. You’ll also learn how to assess risks and navigate different rock features, all in a supportive and hands-on environment.
About
Price: This course costs £250 per day and can have up to four participants. I recommend having 2 days to cover the syllabus and consolidate skills.
Bookings: See booking form here
What Does this Course Cover?
We can tailor each course to the participants, and we recommend allowing 2 days to cover the syllabus and consolidate skills. Typically we will aim to cover;
- Seconding Trad Routes: Hands-on experience seconding trad routes, learning how to follow a leader and remove gear.
- Placing Protection: Learn how to place and assess cams and nuts in rock features
- Building Anchors: Gain the skills to build reliable anchors using natural features and trad gear for both belaying and abseiling.
- Abseiling: Learn the basics of abseiling, including how to set up an abseil, manage rope systems, and abseil safely after completing a climb.
- Movement skills: Build confidence climbing on rock by climbing lots of routes.
- Hands-on Experience: Throughout the course, you’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience placing protection, building anchors, and climbing routes, helping you build confidence and proficiency in a real-world climbing environment.
Who is this Course for?
We designed this course for indoor climbers or sport climbers looking to transition to outdoor trad climbing. Whether you’re leading indoors, top-roping, or sport climbing. You should ideally know how to top rope belay and tie in with a figure of eight knot.
If you’re already familiar with the basics and are eager to progress to leading trad routes, we recommend checking out our Learn to Lead Trad Climbs course. Alternatively, you can combine both courses into a comprehensive 4-day Trad Climbing experience, where you’ll cover everything from the fundamentals to leading trad climbs, ensuring you’re fully prepared for outdoor adventures.
This course can have up to 4 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!
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 Trad Climbing Fundamentals 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 below;