Trad skills
The gear side of traditional climbing, on Peak District gritstone: placing and judging nuts and cams, building anchors, and seconding a route and taking the gear out. Coaching close up, with time to get your hands on the rack.
Trad climbing means the protection goes in as you climb, so the skills that matter most happen before anyone leaves the ground: choosing the right nut or cam, seating it so it will hold, and telling a good placement from one that only looks good. Peak District gritstone (Stanage and edges like it) is a great place to learn, with cracks and breaks that take gear well and plenty of rock at ground level to practise on.
The day covers placing and assessing gear, building anchors at the top of a crag, seconding a route and taking the gear out as you go, and the rope work that ties it together. This is a skills day, not a lead climbing course: it builds the gear judgement you'll need before leading, rather than coaching your first leads.
What's included
- All technical kit: harness, helmet, ropes and a full trad rack
- Instruction and coaching for the day
- Outdoor first aid cover
What to bring
- Your own climbing shoes if you have them, otherwise provided
- Your own rack if you have one, otherwise a full trad rack is provided
- Comfortable, flexible outdoor clothing you can move in
- Approach shoes or trainers to walk in to the crag
- A warm layer and a waterproof jacket
- Water and snacks for the day
There's a minimum of 2 for this session. If your group is smaller, get in touch before booking to check pricing.
Under-18s from age 12, accompanied by their parent or guardian.
All outdoor activities carry inherent risk, participation is entirely at your own discretion.
Want to book this?
Tell me your dates, group and experience and I'll come back to you.