Trad Climbing Workshop (2 days)

Gain hands-on experience in selecting and setting anchors, placing protection to minimize fall distance, and managing hazards while maintaining continuous monitoring of the safeguard system. You'll practice crucial skills such as lead belaying, clipping quickdraws, and cleaning anchors, alongside understanding traditional protection methods using cams, wires, and hexes. With a focus on minimizing damage to equipment and the environment, as well as developing retreat and rescue techniques, this workshop is perfect for climbers looking to elevate their skills and ensure a safe and enjoyable climbing experience.

This course will run with a minimum of 2 people and will have a maximum of 4 participants per course

PRE REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS

• Competent lead belaying single pitch sport climbs
• Currently comfortable sport leading single pitch sport lead at minimum around 14-15 grades.

COURSE CONTENT

The Trad Climbing Workshop provides in depth training and examination of the following skills:

• Climb single pitch routes.

• Use safety procedures at bottom, top of and throughout climbs to minimise risk to self and others present.

• Use appropriate posture and climbing techniques suitable to natural features.

• Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.

• Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to ascend in a controlled manner.

• Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout climb.

• Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during climb.

• Ascend single pitch routes as a lead climber.

• Evaluate potential direction of falls, magnitude of force and second climber’s ability.

• Select suitable type, and set anchors and belay system safely and efficiently throughout climb.

• Place protection periodically during climb to reduce fall distance.

• Use techniques to minimise rope drag, displacement of artificial protection and injury in the event of a fall.

• Monitor and maintain the safeguard system continuously.

• Retreat from pitches when climber safety is compromised.

• Select solid and secure anchors at top of pitch, or place artificial protection.

• Establish belay system at top of pitch to maximise climber and belayer safety.

• Utilise belaying system to maximise climber safety.

• Remove artificial protection with and without a nut tool and minimise damage to equipment and natural surface.

• Avoid or negotiate hazards and use safety procedures to minimise risk to self and others present.

• Establish belaying position and attach self to anchor, as required, to allow effective and safe use of belay system.

• Maintain rope tension to minimise fall distance and ensure climber movement is not unduly restricted.

• Monitor climber progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with climber.

• Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation.

• Safely and efficiently secure climber using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow climber to continue.

• Lead belaying – Single – Using a range of devices

• How to clip quickdraws and safely position your rope whilst climbing

• How to clean the anchors and leave climbing route e.g. lower and self retrievable 

• Understanding of using traditional protection I.e. cams, wires and hexes

• How to build anchors for traditional climbing

• Abseiling skills – Bail Out Skills – Retrievable Abseil Systems

• Rescue skills – Assisting your seconding climber past a crux Mechanical Advantage – Hauling System

Our awesome instructors are highly trained and accredited by PACI (Professional Association of Climbing Instructors). Put simply, they are subject matter experts. They’ll provide all the theory material you’ll need to get a firm understanding of the concepts you’ll learn, as well as ample opportunities for practical application. Don’t leave it to guesswork, get trained by the best.

WHAT TO BRING

Whilst all necessary gear is provided, we encourage you to bring your own if you have it – your instructor will check it out and let you know if it’s suitable to use. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the equipment you will be using in your future climbing career!

We recommend every student owns the following gear as a minimum:

• Harness

• Climbing shoes

Don’t know what gear to buy after the course? Come on down and chat with our gear gurus in the West End store. Make sure you mention that you’re enrolled on the Trad Workshop and they’ll do you a sweet deal!

As well as the technical equipment, you’ll need a few other things to make the course run smoothly, so make sure you also bring the following:

• Non-restrictive clothing. Check the weather forecast to get an idea of the conditions.

• Enclosed footwear such as hiking boots or runners, sturdy enough to handle a rough trail

• A backpack big enough to carry all the necessary gear

• 2-3 litres of water, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses

• Your own food and snacks, full of energy to keep you happy and psyched!

• A pen and paper

SESSION TIMES AND LOCATIONS

The course runs for 2 days from 7:30am to 4:30pm , with the first day conducted at Mount French and the second at Mt Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains National Park

You’ll need a moderate amount of fitness to hike/climb for 2 days as well as  an be able to comfortably walk up to an hour carrying all the gear you need including ropes, carabiners and personal safety equipment.

WHY CHOOSE TEAM PINNACLE 

With more than 20 years of experience, Pinnacle Sports is South East Queensland’s leading provider of rock climbing and abseiling training and experiences. We work closely with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and other management organisations to ensure that our outdoor activities are fully permitted and environmentally sound. Our reputation for high quality outdoor experiences has been built on low guide to participant ratios, meaning you get more time to do the rad stuff! Here at Team Pinnacle, we love all things vertical and we’re looking forward to sharing our passion with you.

THE FINE PRINT

• Participants must be at least 15 years of age 

• Participants must have experience in climbing and be comfortable on approximately Grade 15 on top rope (or a purple route in most climbing gyms in Brisbane)

• Participants must be fit and healthy for climbing at the time of the course

• Participants must be able to speak, and understand the English language. This requirement is stipulated on the grounds of safety at height

• This course is subject to minimum and maximum numbers to run. In the event that the minimum number of participants are not available, the course may be rescheduled. A decision is made the week prior to the activity.

Please ensure that you are aware of our full terms and conditions including our cancellation policy before booking.