Climbing Course
Leading on Trad
Comprehensive introduction to leading alpine rock with traditional protection and self rescue
Contacts
- Wed, Jan 1, 2025 - Fri, Oct 31, 2025
- Committee: Foothills Climbing Committee
- Members: $680.00 Guests: $895.00
- Availability: FULL (8 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
REGISTRATION Timeline!
Application Submissions: October 04 - October 14 (Application Form will appear on this page on 10/4)
Application results published: No Later Than November 8
Cancellation : Refund minus $10 before 2nd Session (February 2). No refunds on or after this date.
PREREQUISITES
An eligible applicant possess the following qualifications:
- a graduate of (i) the Basic Alpine Climbing, (ii) Basic Alpine Climbing Equivalency, or (iii) graduate of the Alpine Scrambling course AND the Intro to Alpine Rock course;
- have prior leading experience in at least a few moderate (5.7 or higher) single-pitch sport climbing routes on real rock;
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 1/4/25)
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 you will earn:
Climbing Self-Rescue Course
Leading Multipitch Routes
Rock Climb Rope Leader
Leading Trad Routes
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leading on Trad Kick off | |||
| North Bellevue Community Center |
Mon, Jan 27, 2025
Registration closes Jan 26
|
0
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Leading on Trad - Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Feb 6, 2025
Registration closes Feb 4
|
0
participants
3 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Feb 8, 2025
Registration closes Feb 6
|
0
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Apr 19, 2025
Registration closes Apr 10
|
0
participants
3 instructors
|
|
| Crack climbing practice session | |||
| Vertical World North |
Mon, Feb 24, 2025
Registration closes Feb 22
|
0
participants
2 instructors on waitlist
|
|
| Crack Climbing Practice (Optional) (optional) | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Feb 27, 2025
Registration closes Feb 25
|
7
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 3, 2025
Registration closes Mar 1
|
2
participants
3 instructors
|
|
| Follower Rescue Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Registration closes Mar 4
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Apr 2, 2025
Registration closes Mar 31
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Apr 9, 2025
Registration closes Apr 7
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Single Pitch Leading 1 | |||
| Tieton River: Royal Columns |
Sat, Mar 8, 2025 -
Sun, Mar 9, 2025 Registration closes Mar 6
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Single Pitch Leading 2 | |||
| Leavenworth: Playground Point |
Sat, Mar 29, 2025 -
Sun, Mar 30, 2025 Registration closes Mar 27
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Rope Leadership | |||
| Online Classroom |
Tue, Apr 1, 2025
Registration closes Mar 30
|
0
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, May 17, 2025 -
Sun, May 18, 2025 Registration closes May 15
|
0
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Follower Rescue Scenarios | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Fri, Apr 18, 2025
Registration closes Apr 16
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Apr 22, 2025
Registration closes Apr 16
|
0
participants
1 instructor
|
|
| Multipitch 1 | |||
| Leavenworth: Mountaineers Dome |
Sat, May 3, 2025 -
Sun, May 4, 2025 Registration closes May 1
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Multipitch 2 | |||
| Leavenworth: R&D |
Sat, May 31, 2025 -
Sun, Jun 1, 2025 Registration closes May 29
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Leader Rescue Skills | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Jun 3, 2025
Registration closes Jun 1
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Leader Rescue Scenarios | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Jun 10, 2025
Registration closes Jun 8
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Jun 17, 2025
Registration closes Jun 15
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Experience Climb (or Backup Field Trip) | |||
| Leavenworth: Castle Rock |
Sat, Jun 21, 2025 -
Sun, Jun 22, 2025 Registration closes Jun 19
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
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 nonlocking carabiners
- 6 single runners, plus nonlocking carabiner for each
- 2 double runners, plus nonlocking carabiner for each
- 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.