Quick Details
Sport Lead Climbing
An intermediate course designed as the first technical progression as an outdoor lead climber.
Learn from certified AMGA single-pitch instructors and AMGA certified rock guides how to lead sport routes, properly belay lead climbers, construct two bolt anchors, and safely clean and lower from anchor. This course will teach you everything you need to know to be a safe sport climber. We will cover topics that include equipment, knots, communication, safety, clipping, cleaning, movement and lead climbing strategy and technique.
Leave the climbing gym and go confidently as a sport climber to explore your favorite sport climbing crags.
**If you want the same material but want to go at your own pace check out the Ultimate Sport Climbing Course***
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This course will run from 9am-5pm.
You will meet your climbing instructor at 9am and hike to the climbing site.
In the morning you will learn about the equipment and skills required for leading outdoor sport climbs. You will learn about lead belaying, proper clipping technique, and lead climbing safety and get to practice these skills on the rock.
After a lunch break, you will learn how to tie the knots required for sport climbing, how to build sport climbing anchors, and how to safely clean anchors. Following this lesson, you will have the rest of the afternoon to practice your lead climbing technique and reinforce all the skills you have learned in this course.
You can expect to be back at the parking lot at 5pm.
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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 of indoor climbing.
- We recommend you have completed Rock Climbing: Beginner, or possess equivalent experience before registering for Outdoor Sport Lead Climbing.
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- Strength ratings on climbing goods
- Understanding of soft goods and hard goods
- Lead belaying technique
- How to catch a lead fall
- Proper clipping technique
- Overhand knot series: knot, bight, follow-through, bend, and flat
- Figure-eight knot series: knot, bight, follow-through, and bend
- Hitches: girth and basket
- Other knots: fisherman series
- Simple, two-bolt EARNEST anchor construction
- Personal anchor strategies
- Proper technique for safely cleaning an anchor
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- Eight hours of expert instruction
- Kaf Resources
- Static rope
- Climbing rope
- Anchor materials
- Quickdraws
- Mock-leading practice
- Eight hours of expert instruction
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- Transportation
- Lunch
- Personal clothing
- Climbing shoes
- Harness
- Helmet
- Parking
- Transportation
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- Kaf will provide what is listed above.
- Please bring your own personal climbing gear, and quickdraws if you have them. 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 8 hours.
- Please bring your own climbing shoes.
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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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If you want the same material but want to go at your own pace check out the Ultimate Sport Climbing Course You might consider using the Ultimate Sport Climbing Course as a resource after graduating from the Outdoor Sport Lead Climbing Course.
Once you’ve learned to lead sport routes, take the next step in your rock climbing journey and join Kaf for Traditional Climbing Fundamentals. Or explore the world of glaciers with a Mountaineering: Intermediate course.