Indoor Learn-To-Lead
This 6-hour course, spread over two sessions, is for people who want to learn lead-climbing and belaying in a comprehensive, principles-first way.
Mastering belay from first principles
What Is Lead Climbing?
Lead climbing is a more advanced technique than what you first learn when you step into a climbing gym using ropes. Unlike top-rope climbing, where the rope is secured from above, a lead-climber climbs a route while periodically attaching the rope to protection points “quickdraws” placed on the wall. Falls are caught by the last clipped quickdraw.
Although it definitely sounds scary, it is a valuable skill that tests your mental fortitude and will transform your climbing. We aim to teach it in a progressive way so that it is open to anyone of nearly any skill level.
Which Belay Device?
Unlike most other climbing courses that teach with the device specific to that gym only, we aim to teach in a way that means you can adapt your technique to ANY belay device, for any climbing gym, anywhere in the world. For that reason we start out teaching with a plain tube-style device (i.e. ATC) with additional safety measures in place. Once that skill is mastered we bring out our big pile of assisted-braking devices (we have lots, including of course the ubiquitous Grigri!) and learn how adapting your technique to each one is useful and possible with the techniques you have already mastered.
No Minimum Climbing Ability
Unlike most other climbing courses, I do not impose a minimum climbing grade for my learn to lead courses, because I consider this as primarily a safety skill rather than a strength based skill. For me, your ability to safely manage the rope, both as a climber and as a belayer, is independent from your ability to climb difficult grades.
Next Course Date
Whack your details here and we’ll coordinate together to choose dates that suit you.
Coordinate with other participants, share ideas, and plan together. Join our discussion group to stay connected throughout.
Pauly was a fantastic instructor — incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, patient and supportive. I really liked the way he taught us. He would clearly explain and demonstrate each skill first, then give us plenty of opportunity to practise it ourselves while guiding us and correcting us along the way. He made everything easy to understand and created a really comfortable environment where you could ask questions, have a go and keep practising.
The course was very hands-on, which I really enjoyed. Being completely new to these skills, I walked away with so much more knowledge, practical experience and far more confidence than I walked in with. I never felt intimidated or out of place while learning.
We also had an amazing group, which made the experience even better. Everyone was friendly, supportive and encouraging, and there were plenty of laughs while learning together.
A huge thank you to Pauly for such a great introduction to alpine skills and for making the whole experience so enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend Alpine 1 with The Climbing Company to anyone wanting to learn and build their confidence in the mountains. 🏔️❄️
It was an incredible privilege to learn from a guiding company with serious history and, to hear that they have been active in the involvement with the positive resolution of Mt Arapiles future climbing with respect to the First Nations communities’ cultural heritage.
I couldn’t recommend The Climbing Company enough for anyone wanting to learn or wanting a refresher in the world of Trad Climbing. We are already planning our trip back to Mt Arapiles, and keen on reading into the Big Wall course also offered.
