Climbing Course
Crag Climbing
Leading Trad Routes module of the Crag climbing course for the Bellingham Branch
- Sat, Jul 1, 2023 - Mon, Jul 31, 2023
- Committee: Bellingham Climbing Committee
- Members: $250.00 Guests: $350.00
- Availability: FULL (8 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Course Description
The Crag Climbing course is designed to teach the skills, knowledge, and techniques needed to safely lead traditional routes on outdoor crags. This is one module of the overall Crag Climbing course and it may be taken independently or in conjunction with the 2 other modules, Leading Sport Climbs and Multipitch Climbing, as a series.
Eligibility
The course is open to climbers age 16 and over. Prerequisites include the ability to CLIMB 5.7 or better outside or inside and rappelling. Knowledge of basic climbing knots, safe belay technique and setting and cleaning sport anchors is also required. Prior experience leading sport is a bonus, but not required. Acceptance is based on meeting the course's prerequisites and acceptance of the course application by course leader. Other factors considered are based on past and current climbing experience. Students are screened to select those with the highest potential for course completion. The class size will be limited to 6 QUALIFIED applicants.
DOWNLOAD THE CRAG COURSE APPLICATION HERE.
Please make sure that you are available for ALL field trips prior to sending your application. Students are required to be present for ALL field trips and there are no opportunities for make up. Please note this course requires each student to own or have access to their own rack of climbing gear.
Badges you will earn:
Top Rope Belay Certification
Lead Belay Certification
Leading Trad Routes
This course has no scheduled activities.
Wilderness First Aid Course
-
Gear each student MUST HAVE for Class - Pro Will be available for the class:
- Helmet, harness, rock shoes
- 1 personal anchoring device with a locking carabiner
- Auto blocking belay device with locking belay carabiner
- 4 Alpine slings 60cm
- 2 Alpine slings 120cm
- 12 standard sized carabiners (2 for each sling)
- 3 locking carabiners in addition to the others already mentioned (standard sized)
- 20' Cordalette. This can be made out of 20' of 7 mm Nylon Cord,
- Nut tool and carabiner does not need to be full size) and a knife
Gear will be discussed at first class. Bring what you have but do not purchase new before class
For your own climbing after class you will need:
- Set of Cams - one cam each matching the following Black Diamond sizes: .3, .4, .5, .75 #1, #2, #3
- One carabiner (7 total) for each cam to rack them (these do not need to be full size)
- Set of nuts/stoppers
Please make sure to purchase 2 to 3 colors of electricians tape or duck tape and mark ALL your gear. You can find this tape online or at Home Depot. We will be discussing gear and have some brands on hand for your review at the kick-off party so if you have questions you may hold off purchasing gear until afterward.
All Students will receive a copy of Climbing Anchors, Leuben at first class meeting.
Optional Gear you will want to consider:
- Ropes will be provided for this course but if you plan to continue climbing after the course you will need to purchase a light weight 60-70m 9.4-9.8 rope.
- Light weight approach shoes. Many crags have an approach so you will need to have a good pair of shoes to hike in and off.
- Additional set of small Cams. The recommended set of MUST have Cams is meant to cover most bases and not overwhelm your budget. However you will very quickly find that having a set of cams in the smaller range of sizes gives you more options and is much needed so if you can afford to purchase these cams to start with it would be highly advised.
- Having some light weight warm layers can make for a more comfortable time at the crag. We'll discuss gear more at the kick off party.
- 2 short runners ( 30cmx8mm)
- 2 Pearbiners (aka HMS) for master point, belay and rappel
You must register for this course to see course materials.