- Advanced
- Ages 16+
Learn from certified AMGA single-pitch instructors and AMGA certified rock guides how to place traditional protection on lead, lead traditional rock climbs at Smith Rock, and belay from an anchor above.
Quick Details
Learn from professional climbing guides at Smith Rock the Traditional Climbing Fundamentals
Beyond the world of climbing gyms and bolted sport climbing is traditional climbing, a style of climbing that allows climbers to explore the vertical world without the need for pre-placed bolts and hardware. This style of climbing opens up vast new areas and an abundance of vertical terrain to climbers seeking to diversify their skill set.
Kaf climbing guides and instructors will teach you the critical foundations to start your development in traditional climbing. You will learn about the crucial tools and practices of the trade that will expand your climbing tool set.
This course will teach you how to place active and passive protection, clean trad gear, build solid anchors, equalize pieces together, equipment organization for a climb, how to safely clean anchors, and rappel. In addition, you will get to practice crack climbing techniques and learn advanced climbing movement that will facilitate your climbing in this new discipline.
Get ready to learn new climbing skills that will leave you excited to discover more.
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Spend the day with Kaf instructors developing the knowledge and techniques of traditional climbing, learning the basics that will set you along the road to opening up vast new terrain for you to climb.
You and your instructors meet at 9am. You will spend the morning at the crag working with the tools of the trade: placing active and passive protection, cleaning trad climbing gear, building natural and artificial anchors, and learning how to rack up for a climb.
Lunch will be done on-the-go, allowing you to maximize your learning opportunities on this one-day course.
Your afternoon will be spent preparing you for some of the real-world scenarios you may encounter when traditional climbing. You will cover topics including safely cleaning anchors, different rappelling techniques, and advanced climbing movement that will facilitate your climbing in this new discipline.
You can expect to be back at your car by 5pm.
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- 18+ for adult courses or 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
- 12-18 for youth courses
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- This is an intermediate-level rock climbing course. Any previous climbing knowledge will enhance your experience, and we request that you have a solid foundation in sport climbing at a minimum.
- We recommend you have completed Rock Climbing: Beginner and Sport Lead Climbing, or possess equivalent experience before registering for traditional climbing fundamentals.
- Knowing specific knots for climbing is also highly encouraged, you can learn them: Knots for Climbers
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- Comprehensive climbing knots
- Placing traditional protection (passive and active)
- Rope management
- Cleaning a route
- Advanced movement & technique
- Natural anchor construction
- Artificial anchor construction
- Rappelling techniques
- Building top rope anchors
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- Eight hours expert instruction
- Land management fees
- Static rope
- Climbing rope
- Anchor materials
- Traditional climbing rack (active and passive)
- Group climbing equipment including ropes, belay devices, anchor and traditional climbing protection
- Eight hours expert instruction
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- Transportation (carpool options available)
- Personal climbing equipment including helmet, harness, and shoes
- Guide gratuity
- Parking
- Transportation (carpool options available)
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- Kaf will provide what is listed above.
- Please bring your own personal climbing gear: climbing shoes, harness, and helmet.
- If you have a trad rack, bring it with you! This course will give you invaluable time to practice with your own gear.
- You are responsible for clothes that will be comfortable while climbing in all conditions for eight hours.
- Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water.
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- Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants. The course is scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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- After completing this course, you will have the necessary skills to participate in our advanced course Trad Lead Climbing at Smith Rock and you will be well on the way to two-day Multi-Pitch Climbing at Smith Rock.
- And to get you really excited by all of the fantastic places rock climbing can take you, take a look at our International Adventures. Once you’re confident with your climbing skills, join us on a climbing holiday to Mexico or China — opportunities you won’t want to miss out on!
