Intro to Trad Climbing
Intro to Trad Climbing Course Overview
Break away from the bolts and learn the fundamentals of traditional rock climbing. This intensive 1-day field program is designed for indoor lead climbers or outdoor sport climbers who want to master the placement of passive and active protection. Under the direct supervision of certified rock guides, you will build the technical proficiency and confidence needed to safely lead and follow traditional gear routes on real vertical rock faces.
Core Technical Skills You Will LearnOur single-day curriculum focuses on rapid, high-retention skill development in a live outdoor setting:
- Traditional Gear Placement: Hands-on practice placing active protection (cams, SLCDs) and passive protection (nuts, stoppers, hexes) in varied rock features.
- Evaluating Placement Quality: Learn how to read rock quality, direction of pull, and expansion hazards to judge whether a gear placement is completely bombproof.
- Trad Anchor Mechanics: Master the principles of building multi-point traditional climbing anchors using cords, slings, and your placed gear.
- Seconding & Cleaning Protocols: Learn how to efficiently follow a traditional leader, remove gear without damaging the rock, and manage rope stations.
Our Small-Group Guiding GuaranteeBecause placing traditional protection demands absolute precision and constant verification, this course operates at a strict 4:1 student-to-guide ratio. This low ratio ensures your guide personally inspects every single piece of gear you place during the day.
Course Prerequisites
Before stepping up to traditional gear, participants must meet these foundational climbing criteria:
- Climbing Competence: Ability to comfortably top-rope or lead climb outdoor sport routes graded 5.8 or higher.
- Ropework Foundations: Complete proficiency with fundamental climbing knots (figure-8, clove hitch) and standard belay techniques.
- Prior Experience: Outdoor sport climbing experience is highly recommended; this course is not intended for absolute beginner climbers.
Course Format
Course Format
Instruction Style
100% practical. You will be on the rock within the first hour, actively building ground-level gear anchors before transitioning into vertical environments with a top-rope safety backup.
Enrollment & Available Dates
Pricing & Logistics
- Price: $195 + GST per person
- Duration: 1 Full Day
- Location: Kootenays, BC
- Included: Professional guiding, all group traditional racks (cams, nuts, slings), and ropes.
Physical fitness
Sustained climbing and skiing at elevation demands aerobic capacity and leg strength.
Mountain experience
Prior backcountry skiing or mountaineering experience is strongly recommended before enrollment.
Equipment list
Gear List
- Climbing Shoes: Snug, comfortable rock climbing shoes suitable for a full day of standing on edges and jamming cracks.
- Climbing Harness: A standard rock climbing harness with functional gear loops for racking cams and nuts.
- Climbing Helmet: A UIAA-approved climbing helmet (mandatory for all outdoor rock sessions).
- Belay Device & Locking Carabiner: A tubular belay device (ATC) or an assisted-braking device (such as a GriGri) paired with an HMS locking carabiner.
- Chalk Bag: A standard rock climbing chalk bag with a waist belt.
Personal Apparel & Pack
- Crag Backpack: A 30L to 40L backpack capable of holding all your personal layers, food, plus any shared group traditional gear.
- Weather Layers: A windproof/waterproof jacket and a lightweight synthetic insulated layer (crags can cool down quickly when standing at belay stations).
- Active Wear: Durable, flexible pants or long shorts designed to withstand abrasive rock types.
Food & Personal Essentials
- Hydration: A minimum of 2L of water carried in durable, leak-proof bottles.
- Nutrition: High-energy snacks and a packed lunch to sustain your physical energy for an 8-hour day at the crag.
- Sun & Bug Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, UV lip balm, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
Arctos Trip Inventory
The complete Arctos Trip Inventory
