Learn to Lead Trad Climbs

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 £240 per day and can have up to two participants. We recommended to have 2 days to cover the syllabus and consolidate skills.

Private Bookings: See availability and booking form here

Open courses: Browse our selection of open courses available where you will be grouped with others booking.

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 second, 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!

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 ten years and has been qualified and teaching climbing for over eight years. He has worked with a wide range of clients and is experienced in helping develop confident, safe, independent climbers.
Liam is a very experienced climber and has extensive local knowledge having climbed sport grade 8A, bouldered 8A and trad climbed E7 all on local seacliffs.

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! 

Most of our bookings are private bookings. Please see the booking form and our availability below. We also have open courses available, where you will be on a course with others making a booking.

Private “Learn to Lead Trad Climbs” Booking Form

Booking form for a Learn to Lead Trad Climbs course. This course costs £240 per day for up to 2 participants. I We recommend to have 2 days to cover the syllabus and consolidate skills.