This course covers in detail:

• Properly place and evaluate nuts, chocks and camming devices.
• Build and evaluate anchors
• Belay and assist a second
• Rope management
• Manage a belay station
• Transition at the belay
• Route finding skills
• Build and manage rappel stations
• Manage multiple rappels
• Multi pitch communication skills
• Team assessment and efficiencies
• Objective risk assessment, evaluation and mitigation

Detailed Course Itinerary:

This is a general description of our Learn to Lead course.  We routinely customize courses based on our clients’ needs and wishes.  If you don’t see a technique or skill that you would like to learn contact us, chances are we can make it happen. 

Day 1

This curriculum begins with a demonstration and assessment climb.  During this climb the instructor leads and discusses the climb from the leaders’ perspective, and assesses the students’ abilities.  Once the group is back on terra firma we demonstrate, discuss and practice the placement of artificial protection at the base of the cliff.  Once students show proficiency with placements, anchor building is covered in the same thorough manner as gear placement.  We then bring the skills covered thus far together and the students lead practice pitches on the ground, allowing them to get a feel for the entire process before leaving the ground.  If time allows we begin mock leading on day 1.

Day 2

On day two we jump into the mock leading in earnest.  This technique allows students to lead one and two pitch routes on lead while also being belayed by a top rope from above.  Once the student completes a pitch he/she establishes an anchor and belays the instructor and other student up all while the top rope between instructor and student is maintained.  Instructors discuss each placement, the anchor, and objective hazards with the student before the student sets off on pitch two. 

Day 3

Continuing practice of techniques with an instructor help students walk away from the course “owning” the skills they have been taught which ensures long term retention.  Almost all students need this third day to really cement their new skills but if not our skilled and flexible instructors can seamlessly integrate skills from a higher level course. BACK

Matthew,
Thank you for the great trip!  We had a fantastic time and were stretched beyond our comfort zone, which made for a truly awesome climbing experience.  We’ll definitely keep you in mind in the future if we decide to take on the rocks again!  
Please use that one to keep in touch with me in the future.  Jen’s email is copied as well.

Thanks again.
Adam

Dear Art and Diane, We just had to tell you both how delighted we were with Sean Tracy as the climbing instructor for our grandson, Preston Huett, this past Wednesday.
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience for Preston… and for us as his guardians.  As you can imagine, we were a bit nervous about putting our grandson’s life in the hands of someone we didn’t know.  Sean dispelled any concerns we had within minutes.  Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable, he was able to convey the knowledge to Preston patiently, and with a calm assuring demeanor.  We were totally impressed with his ability to teach and build confidence in a young and inexperienced climber so quickly and effectively. 
Our sincere thanks to you, and especially Sean, for making the rock climbing outing such a memorable experience.
Sincerely,
Susan and Marty H.