LEARN TO LEAD

Lead climbing is a more advanced technique than what you first learn when you step into a climbing gym using ropes. Unlike top-rope climbing, where the rope is secured from above, a lead-climber climbs a route while periodically attaching the rope to protection points “quickdraws” placed on the wall. Falls are caught by the last clipped quickdraw.

On this course we break the whole lead-climbing and belaying process into small parts, practice each one on its own, and then put them together until it feels smooth and confident.

There is no minimum climbing grade required, as we treat it as a safety skill first and a strength skill second. We believe your ability to safely manage the rope, both as a climber and as a belayer, is independent from your ability to climb difficult grades.

AT A GLANCE

Skills Requirement: Comfortable top rope climbing at a gym
Duration: Two evenings, 6.30pm to 9.30pm (6 hours of teaching)
Guide ratio: 1:6
Location: Gravity Worx Indoor Climbing Gym, Pascoe Vale

WHO IT'S FOR

This course suits gym climbers who are comfortable top-roping and want to start leading. Many climbers arrive having never led, and that’s completely normal. Some top-rope belaying experience helps, but it isn’t essential. How well you manage the rope matters far more here than how hard you climb.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

As the belayer: threading and checking your device, hand and foot position, giving and taking rope quickly, short-roping, spotting the climber, and catching falls from small to large.

As the climber: tying in, partner checks, clear communication, and clipping the rope. Clipping is harder than it looks, so we do a lot of it. We also cover the most common clipping mistakes, and you’ll take your first leader falls, starting small.

HOW IT RUNS

The first evening covers each skill separately, using a plain tube-style device (an ATC) with extra safety measures in place. The second evening puts it all together, with time to refine your technique. Once your ATC technique is solid, we bring out our assisted-braking devices, including the Grigri, and show you how to adapt what you already know to each one. That way your skills carry over to any device, at any gym.

WHAT TO BRING

We provide the ropes, belay devices and spare harnesses. You are welcome to use your own shoes and harness if you have one. Otherwise all you'll need is a water bottle, and comfortable clothing.

SKILLS PROGRESSION

Before this course: Experience in gym top-roping and belaying is all you need.

What’s next: Indoor to Outdoor: Sport Climbing OR Single Pitch Trad.

FAQs

Do I need to climb a certain grade?
No. This course is about skills, not strength.
Will I practice falling?
Yes, but we start with small falls and build up gradually, so you know what to expect.
Will this work with the device at my gym?
Yes. We teach technique that adapts to any belay device.
Do I need my own gear?
No. We provide all of it.

Not sure if this is the right step? Email us at info@theclimbingcompany.com.au . Happy to chat through your options.

Indoor Learn-to-Lead