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Climbing Course

Leading on Trad

Comprehensive introduction to leading alpine rock with traditional protection and self rescue

Contacts

Mire Kashikura
Mire Kashikura
Leader

note: this course requires an application. do not enroll directly into the course, do not ask for permission to register. the application will be available the first week of october

REGISTRATION Timeline!

Application Submissions: October 01 - October 08 

Application results published: No Later Than November 1

Cancellation : Refund minus $10 by 2nd Session (February 19). No refunds on or after this date.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course teaches students the necessary skills for leading traditional climbs with strong emphasis on safety.  Note that this is not an introductory course, and it is not a course in which students are to advance their climbing grades. This course is oriented to those who wish to learn how to place gear, build anchors, and have basic rescue skills in an alpine environment.  To be accepted into this course, students must have prior leading experience in at least a few moderate single-pitch sport climbing routes on real rock.

COURSE TOPICS:

    • review of climbing equipment
    • natural / artificial protection in traditional climbing, gear placement and evaluation
    • anchor construction and evaluation
    • rope management and transitions
    • introduction to more advanced multi-pitch leading and rappelling techniques
    • introduction to self rescue

Students are expected to practice these skills outside the course activities, and are required to demonstrate proficiency in these skills for graduation from the course.

Note: those taking the course who've taken Basic Alpine Climbing will also be awarded the "Rock Rope Leader" badge so that they may participant on alpine rock climbs as a rope leader.

Those taking the course who have not taken Basic Alpine Climbing or the equivalent will NOT be awarded the "Rock Rope Leader" badge. Any volunteer requirements that require rope leading on a Basic Alpine Climb will be changed to volunteering at rock oriented field trips or cragging trips.

BADGES

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Leading on Trad Kick off
Online Classroom
Tue, Jan 30, 2024
Registration closes Jan 28
6 participants
5 instructors
Mire Kashikura
Leading on Trad - Skills
Seattle Program Center
Sat, Feb 17, 2024
Registration closes Feb 15
6 participants
4 instructors
Monica Gerber
Seattle Program Center
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closes Apr 25
6 participants
5 instructors
Mire Kashikura
Single Pitch Leading 1
Tieton River: Royal Columns
Sat, Mar 2, 2024 -
Sun, Mar 3, 2024
Registration closes Feb 29
6 participants
3 instructors
Monica Gerber
Crack climbing practice session (optional)
Seattle Program Center
Wed, Mar 13, 2024
Registration closes Mar 11
6 participants
5 instructors
Monica Gerber
Seattle Program Center
Wed, Mar 27, 2024
Registration closes Mar 25
6 participants
5 instructors
Monica Gerber
Single Pitch Leading 2
Leavenworth
Sat, Mar 23, 2024 -
Sun, Mar 24, 2024
Registration closes Mar 21
6 participants
3 instructors
Monica Gerber
Follower Rescue Skills
Seattle Program Center
Tue, Apr 2, 2024
Registration closes Mar 31
6 participants
5 instructors
Rodrigo Toso
Seattle Program Center
Wed, Apr 10, 2024
Registration closes Apr 8
6 participants
5 instructors
Rodrigo Toso
Follower Rescue Scenarios
Seattle Program Center
Sat, Apr 13, 2024
Registration closes Apr 11
6 participants
5 instructors
Rodrigo Toso
Rope Leadership
Online Classroom
Tue, Apr 23, 2024
Registration closed Aug 30
11 participants
Peter Tran
Multipitch 1
Leavenworth
Sat, May 4, 2024 -
Sun, May 5, 2024
Registration closes Apr 25
6 participants
5 instructors
Krystian Walec
Multipitch 2
Leavenworth
Sat, May 18, 2024 -
Sun, May 19, 2024
Registration closes May 16
6 participants
5 instructors
Krystian Walec
Leader Rescue Skills
Seattle Program Center
Tue, May 28, 2024
Registration closes May 26
6 participants
5 instructors
Rodrigo Toso
Leader Rescue Scenarios
Seattle Program Center
Sat, Jun 1, 2024
Registration closes May 30
6 participants
5 instructors
Rodrigo Toso
Back-Up Field Trip (optional)
Leavenworth
Sat, Jun 8, 2024 -
Sun, Jun 9, 2024
Registration closes Jun 6
6 participants
5 instructors
Mire Kashikura
Roster
Required Equipment

Please do not purchase equipment until after the first lecture

Required

  • Cams in sizes .3, .4, .5, .75, 1, 2, 3, plus a small nonlocking carabiner for each
  • Nuts in sizes 1-13, plus two small nonlocking carabiner for each
  • 6 single runners
  • 2 double runners
  • 25' of 6mm nylon cordalette
  • Guide style belay device

Recommended

  • 2nd 25' 6mm nylon cordalette (5.5 spectra, 7mm nylon acceptable)
  • Climbing Rope (rated for single)
Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.