The Learn to Lead Sport Climbs course will provide you with the skills you need to participate in bolted sport climbing, including an introduction to leading bolt protected climbs. This course is also perfect if you are ready to progress to leading sport routes outside, if you are looking to improve your lead climbing confidence or refresh your leading skills. This course does not cover the skills required for leading trad routes.

Day 1

Background and Planning. Choosing suitable venues and routes, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, Crag etiquette, the importance of the climbing partnership, the work of the mountaineering councils.
Climbing Skills. Safe and assured movement on the lead and optimising natural rests for clipping bolts.
Equipment. Ropes and technical equipment for sport climbing.
Technical Skills. Fixed equipment, anchors, ropework, belaying, holding/taking falls in a controlled environment, lowering, lower offs and abseiling.
Environmental Knowledge. The impact of climbers at the crag, ethics, access and environmental considerations for climbers.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures. Identifying hazards, decision making and managing risk, understanding common injuries, what to do in the event of an incident, managing common problems, how to get help and the role of the Mountain Rescue.

Day 2

Background and Planning. Choosing a suitable venue, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette and the work of the mountaineering councils.
Climbing Skills. Warming up and injury avoidance, developing your movement skills and widening your repertoire of climbing moves.
Footwear and Equipment. Rock boot fit, selecting the right equipment for improved performance and an introduction to climbing protection.
Technical Skills. Building anchors, selecting runners, ropework, belaying, holding falls, lowering, seconding a route and personal abseiling.
Environmental Knowledge. The impact of climbers at the crag, ethics, access and environmental considerations.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures. Identifying hazards, managing risk when climbing, abseiling and bouldering, understanding common injuries, how to get help and the role of mountain rescue teams.