The main aims of this course are to learn how to be a safe belayer, how to second routes competently and how to belay a lead climber. You will develop your climbing movement skills and learn how to place protection and construct belays at the top of the crag. We may make the move into how lead lead climbing on traditional routes works.

Day 1

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.

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.