Home Forums Training, training techniques Lead Climbing – Moving safely from leading in the gym into the outdoors!

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  • #138357 Reply
    Jack Masel
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    Hi guys, until now I don’t think there were any companies in Perth offering a sport climbing program aimed specifically
    at teaching people how to move from climbing/leading indoors into safely doing it outside on real rock – until now.

    Adventure Out have recently started offering a comprehensive one day program to teach climbers the basics
    of safely lead climbing outdoors on bolted routes. The program includes; equipment needed, interpreting guidebooks, placing bolt plates, cleaning routes, knots, rope management and more. You can check out the full program here..

    http://www.adventureout.com.au/programs/outdoor-adventures/sport-lead-rock-climbing/

    Often fellow climbers with the best of intentions take a friend or someone new to our sport out to the crag or quarry and show them what they’ve been taught is the right way to do things which is great… however this can in some cases result in the misinterpretation or absence of vital information when being passed on. Very few recreational climbers or even employees at local gyms have any qualifications for teaching/guiding in the outdoors. I’m sure many of you have witnessed some questionable rigging/belaying/climbing if not been involved in some yourself in the past.

    If you are wanting to learn/relearn or know anyone that is starting out just follow the link above and check out the program details!

    #138839 Reply
    Hammond
    Guest

    These leading courses, they do push people too fast. Leading’s about developing headspace. It’s learned slowly. Seen some come out of these one day courses, they shell-shock themselves trying to lead outdoors consistently when they should ease into it over months or years. It can turn them off climbing completely. Time was when not everyone was expected to lead. Belaying and seconding was enough to make you a climber.

    #139286 Reply
    Jack Masel
    Guest

    Hi Hammond, thanks for your thoughts; certainly an interesting perspective! This course is brand new and has only just recently started being offered, meaning that this shell-shocked individual you mentioned must have done a (similar?) one day program with a different provider. The program Adventure Out are offering is based around providing the KNOWLEDGE needed to safely lead outdoors while in a practical hands-on setting, not on pushing people to their limits on their first day leading climbing. I have no doubt that anyone who signs up won’t feel out of their depth. Pushing yourself mentally and physically to overcome obstacles is for me and many others, a big part of what makes our sport so great but you’re right – it should be done at your own pace/free will. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify!

    #139686 Reply
    Scott
    Guest

    I concur very strongly with Hammonds comments. Roping techniques be they for abseilling or leading are not developed in a day but over years of consistent practice and learning. I have concerns that these 1 day course can potentially give participants a false indication of their capabilities which can quickly lead to tragic circumstances. There is so many facets of rope training, many of which are just information/learning sessions, before the practical elements are even started on.
    I admit I was spoilt as my Lead climbing training was a 2 week course conducted on Mt.Arapilies and that was with several years allready under my belt in abseilling.
    I have done some training with Adventure Out over the years and have no doubt they offer quality training with an emphasis on safety but I hope they they re-enforce the fact that 1 day of training does not make you a “Roper”

    #139769 Reply
    Joe
    Guest

    The Obituary route at Mt York in the Blueys is a great example. Guides frequently introduce people to trad climbing on it because it is an easy crack (grade 11 I think). As a consequence, many of them return later to climb it because they have done it before. Unfortunately, this has lead to heaps of accidents and a couple of deaths on more than one occasion, which is probable due to inexperience.

    Nonetheless, I am sick of seeing people making mistakes at the quarries, and am suspect of who and where they are learning these ‘techniques’. Maybe a course like this is a good thing. Our (the climbing community) relationships with land managers is tenuous at the best of times, and any more accidents would not do us any favours!

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