Outdoor Rock Climbing Courses
Learn to Lead Trad - Two Day Course
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Step into one of the most adventurous forms of climbing. Climbnation’s Learn to Lead Trad course teaches you how to place your own protection, build safe systems, and lead traditional climbs so you can unlock a huge range of classic routes and wild venues.
Taught by friendly, highly experienced instructors, this two-day private course is designed for climbers with some experience who are ready to take on the challenge of leading their own trad routes and planning their own adventures.
What You Will Learn
Over two focused days you’ll build the core skills needed to lead trad climbs safely and confidently:
Gear placement and removal
Learn how to place nuts, cams and other protection securely, evaluate the quality of placements, and remove gear efficiently.
Rigging systems & anchor building
Build solid, simple anchor systems using multiple pieces of gear, and understand how to equalise and manage forces safely.
Belaying for trad climbing
Develop safe belaying techniques for single and, where appropriate, multi-pitch trad, including leader belaying, seconding and rope management.
Movement skills on rock
Refine your footwork, body positioning and tactics for typical trad terrain, helping you climb more confidently and efficiently.
Communication with your climbing partner
Use clear rope signals and voice commands so you and your partner stay coordinated, even when you can’t see each other.
Using guidebooks & reading routes
Choose suitable routes, interpret grades and route descriptions, and build an eye for spotting gear and rests from the ground.
Simple problem solving
Learn how to deal with common issues such as stuck gear, route finding, or needing to retreat safely.
Throughout the course, we focus on good judgement, risk management and real-world application, so you leave with more than just a checklist of techniques.
Prior Experience
This course is best suited to climbers who already have some experience and want to step into trad leading. You should:
Have basic climbing skills, including safe harness fitting, tying in, belaying and lowering
Feel confident climbing on rock on top-rope or seconding
Be comfortable lead climbing indoors
If you’re unsure whether you’re ready for this course, contact us with a brief outline of your experience and we’ll be happy to advise.
Course Format & Group Size
Two-day private trad course
Designed for two people (ideal for regular climbing partners)
Completely tailored to your pace, goals and previous experience
Your instructor will select venues that suit conditions and your ability, ensuring maximum learning time on appropriate routes.
Prices & Booking
Two day private course for two people.
Ready to book?
Use our contact form to check availability, ask questions, and confirm your dates.
GBP 550 total (for both climbers)
Extra Benefit
All course bookings receive a 10% discount for the Climbnation online shop, ideal for starting or expanding your own trad rack once you’ve learned how to use it.
In summary, Climbnation’s Learn to Lead Trad course will help you: