Climbing Course
Leading on Trad
Comprehensive introduction to leading alpine rock with traditional protection and self rescue
Contacts
- Thu, Nov 20, 2025 - Sat, Oct 31, 2026
- Committee: Foothills Climbing Committee
- Members: $710.00 Guests: $860.00
- Availability: 1 (6 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
REGISTRATION Timeline!
Application Submissions: October 06 - October 13 (Application link will appear on this page on 10/6)
Application results published: No Later Than November 8
Cancellation : Refund minus $10 by 2nd Session (January 26). 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 already lead climb moderate sport routes and wish to learn how to place gear, build anchors, and have basic rescue skills in an alpine environment. Course topics will include:
- 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
- rope leadership
Expectations
Students are expected to attend all required activities - making up missed class is extremely difficult!
- practice these skills outside the course activities
- demonstrate proficiency in these skills for receiving applicable badges
- volunteer as instructors for the Foothills Basic Alpine Course for graduation from the course (must attend Foothills Basic Instructor Review on 1/9/26)
Note:
Those taking the course who are graduates of Basic Alpine Climbing or received Equivalency will be awarded the "Rock Rope Leader" badge so that they may participant on alpine rock climb(s) as a rope leader as required for graduating from this course.
Those taking the course who have not taken Basic Alpine Climbing or Equivalency 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 you will earn:
Climbing Self-Rescue Course
Leading Multipitch Routes
Rock Climb Rope Leader
Leading Trad Routes
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack climbing practice session | |||
| Vertical World North |
Mon, Jan 26, 2026
Registration closes Jan 24
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
| Leading on Trad - Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Feb 26, 2026
Registration closes Feb 24
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Registration closes Feb 27
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Registration closes Mar 3
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Apr 19, 2026
Registration closes Apr 17
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Crack Climbing Practice (Optional) (optional) | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Mar 17, 2026
Registration closes Mar 15
|
6
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Mar 24, 2026
Registration closes Mar 23
|
6
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Single Pitch Leading 1 | |||
| Tieton River: Royal Columns |
Sat, Mar 21, 2026 -
Sun, Mar 22, 2026 Registration closes Mar 19
|
1
participant
3 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Rope Leadership | |||
| Online Classroom |
Tue, Mar 31, 2026
Registration closes Mar 29
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
| Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, May 16, 2026 -
Sun, May 17, 2026 Registration closes May 10
|
3
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Follower Rescue Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Apr 1, 2026
Registration closes Mar 30
|
1
participant
3 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Apr 7, 2026
Registration closes Apr 6
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Single Pitch Leading 2 | |||
| Leavenworth: Playground Point |
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 -
Sun, Apr 12, 2026 Registration closes Apr 9
|
4
participants
4 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Follower Rescue Scenarios | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Fri, Apr 17, 2026
Registration closes Apr 15
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Apr 22, 2026
Registration closes Apr 21
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Multipitch 1 | |||
| Leavenworth |
Sat, May 9, 2026 -
Sun, May 10, 2026 Registration closes May 7
|
1
participant
4 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Multipitch 2 | |||
| Leavenworth: Castle Rock |
Sat, May 30, 2026 -
Sun, May 31, 2026 Registration closes May 28
|
1
participant
3 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Leader Rescue Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Jun 3, 2026
Registration closes Jun 1
|
1
participant
3 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Leader Rescue Scenarios | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Jun 9, 2026
Registration closes Jun 7
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Jun 16, 2026
Registration closes Jun 14
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Experience Climb (or Backup Field Trip) | |||
| Leavenworth |
Sat, Jun 20, 2026 -
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 Registration closes Jun 18
|
3
participants
2 instructors on waitlist
|
|
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)
There are no materials for this course.