Learn to Lead Trad

Expert climbing guide leading a traditional route, demonstrating gear placement for trad climbing students.
Beginner trad climber undertaking a mock lead climb with a safety top rope during our Learn to Lead Trad climbing course.
Trad climber in the learn to lead Trad climbing course practicing cam placement in a crack in order to build an anchor.

$549 Per Person

 

Have questions? Ask one of our guides!

(720) 282-9235 |Β Info@saiguides.com

See below for more details

In this two day program, master the basic skills needed to be a competent trad climber in a single pitch environment. Discover how to identify and mitigate hazards, select appropriate equipment, place sound climbing protection for the leader and follower, belay from above and a few techniques to get yourself out of trouble.

 

 

 

Booking Info

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the balance due 30 days prior to your trip. If you book a trip within 30 days of the start date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Once you have selected your trip dates, click “Check Availability”. You will receive an email confirming your trip dates and a link to purchase after completing the “check availability” form.

YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL WE HAVE CONFIRMED TRIP DATES.

Pay a 50% deposit per item

Details

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:Β Previous outdoor climbing experience, Ability to climb 5.8 on top rope outside, previous experience leading bolt protected (sport) climbs and cleaning anchors, experience rappelling, familiarity with knots and hitches relevant to single pitch climbing: figure eight, overhand on a bight, clove hitch, prussik.

Length:Β 2 days, 16 hours

MaximumΒ Ratio:Β 4 participants, 1 guide

Minimum Age:Β Under 18 will need written consent from parent/guardian

Skills Covered

  • Leave No Trace Principles and Outdoor Crag Etiquette
  • Knots and Hitches Review
  • Gear Placement and Anchor Construction
  • Route Selection
  • Hazard Evaluation
  • Equipment
  • Lead Belaying
  • Communication
  • Use of Runners and Quickdraws
  • Following a Lead
  • Belaying From Above
  • Falling
  • Retreating From a Lead
  • Aiding Out of Trouble
  • Mock Leading Practicum

Price Includes

Does Include:

  • AMGA Trained/Certified Guide/Instructor
  • Group Climbing Equipment
    • Ropes
    • Technical Hardware – carabiners, protection, belay device, etc
    • Technical Softgoods – slings, cordelette, anchor rope, etc
  • Personal Climbing Equipment
    • Climbing Shoes
    • Helmet
    • Harness

Does Not Include:

  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Lodging
  • Trip/cancellation Insurance
  • Non-technical Personal Items – clothing, pack, sunglasses, etc
  • Rescue Insurance
  • Park Entrance Fees (if applicable)
  • Guide Gratuity
  • Unforeseen costs incurred outside of the control of SAI

Equipment List

Clothing

Bottom

  • Cotton or synthetic climbing pants/capri’s
  • Shorts for hot weather

Top

  • Fleece or lightweight down sweater
  • Lightweight wind shell
  • Water proof rain jacket – lightweight gore-tex or similar
  • Short-sleeved shirt
  • (Optional) Sun hoody

Head

  • Baseball hat – for sun protection

Hands

  • 1 pair of lightweight leather belay gloves – hardware store versions are great

Feet

  • Sticky rubber approach shoes or light hiking/trail running shoes (closed toe mandatory)
  • Cotton or Synthetic socks

Technical EquipmentΒ 

  • Harness – UIAA/CE rated climbing harness with belay loop and gear loops.Β  Should be able to fit on the outside of your layers.Β 
  • Helmet – UIAA/CE rated climbing helmet.Β Β 
  • Belay/rappel device – plaquette, tube style device preferred
  • 2 locking carabiners – large, round stock screw gate carabiners that are easily manipulated while wearing gloves
  • Sticky rubber rock climbing shoes

*All technical equipment will be provided by SAI, but if you have our own, it’s encouraged that you bring it.

Food

  • 2L of water
  • 800 -1200 calories of food – energy bars, sandwiches, fruits, etc

Personal

  • Backpack – 25-30L
  • 2 Large mouth water bottles, 1L capacity each.Β 
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Smartphone
RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk managementΒ is SAI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in the mountains such as avalanches, ice fall, rock fall, inclement weather, and high winds, but they cannot eliminate them. SAI guides draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sound decisions that maximize your experience without compromising the necessary margin of safety. Please clearly understand that mountaineering and all other mountain adventures are inherently hazardous sports. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risk and hazards of these sports, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in these activities.

FAQ

Q:What am I responsible to bring?

A: Each one of course pages has information on what to bring under the tab β€œPrice Includes”. We will also send you additional info on how to prepare for your guided day once via email once we have received your payment.Β 

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Q:How fit should I be for my course?

A: Our courses vary from absolute beginner to more advanced techniques on the sharp end.Β  While a base level of fitness (moderate hiking) is generally necessary to get to the climb, all courses can be tweaked to match your level of fitness.

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Q: What if the weather is bad and we need to cancel/reschedule?

A: Read our cancellation policy on our policies page.

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Q: Do I need to have prior climbing experience?

A: Each course/objective has different experience requirements. This information can be found under the Prerequisites tab at the bottom of our course pages.Β  For example, you do not need any prior experience to enroll in our Intro to Mountaineering Course but would need some prior climbing experience to participate in our Learn to Lead Trad Course.Β 

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Q: Is there an age minimum? Can I bring my kids?

A: No, there is not an age minimum and yes you can bring your kids! However, there are some courses where children would not be suitable. You can find more information under the β€œcourse details” tab on our course pages. Also, check out our custom guiding options where we can create custom itinerary for you and your family.Β 

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Q: Will I need transportation to get to the climb?

A: Yes, we do not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling with other course participants whenever possible though to save the environment and parking space! Meeting times and locations will be sent out via email once you have booked a course with us.Β 

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Q: Do you offer lodging options?

A: No. We offer recommended lodging options and sometimes discounted rates depending on the course or trip. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about lodging!



POLICIES

Please review ourΒ cancellation policy here.

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Advanced registration is required to book this course. We have a limited amount of guides and book up regularly. Simply book online if you’re ready to secure a date or, give us a call during business hours if you have any questions.