Fine Tune Your Lead Climbing
Lake District - Level 3 : Instructional Course
Whether you're looking to develop your existing traditional (trad) lead climbing skills or learn to lead climb from the very beginning, this course provides expert instruction in the stunning surroundings of the Lake District.
Working alongside an experienced ISM Guide, you'll progress at a pace suited to your experience and objectives. From placing and assessing traditional protection to building anchors, managing belays, and developing sound lead-climbing judgement, you'll gain the skills and confidence needed to become a safer and more capable trad climber.
The course is tailored to your individual needs, whether you're taking your first steps into lead climbing or refining existing skills to tackle more challenging routes and mountain objectives.
Course Highlights
Coaching on 'trad' climbing leader skills and techniques in the Lake District
Multi-pitch rope work and belay techniques
Build confidence and become more independent in your lead climbing abilities
Expert Guiding and coaching from experienced ISM Guides
Is The Course For Me?
These days are aimed at climbers who already have some outdoor climbing experience and are confident in their personal climbing ability.
They are ideal for those who have experience seconding traditional routes and are ready to take the next step in their climbing development. Through a combination of practical instruction and coaching, you'll begin to learn the principles and techniques that underpin safe lead climbing, including route selection, protection placement, anchor construction, rope management, and risk assessment.
The focus is on building a solid foundation of skills and understanding, allowing you to progress towards becoming a competent and confident trad lead climber.
Meeting point: Great Langdale
Please note: A minimum of four participants/bookings is required for this course to run. If fewer than four places are booked, we will discuss alternative dates or options with you.
Fine tune lead climbing
Skills covered on the course include:
- A refresh of your skills and the level of your ability
- Preparation of equipment, traditional gear and rope choice
- Mental preparation
- Using the full range of natural protection
- Route choice and route finding
- Stance organisation
- Safety equipment
- Belaying a lead climber
- Taking out and placing ‘trad’ gear, taking out stuck ‘trad’ gear placements
- Descending safely
- Crag awareness
- Avoiding potential problems (such as rope jams, protection falling out)
- Emergency procedures (when things don’t go quite as smoothly as planned) such as abseiling past a knot, hoist systems, escaping the system, evacuating an injured climber
- Judgement in rock climbing (perhaps the biggest safety factor!)
Course Dates & Booking
Please call for availability
Meet the Team
Matt Stygall
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Originally from the flatland of Norfolk, Matt soon escaped to the highlands of Scotland, to cut his teeth on the Scottish winter climbing scene there. He then worked full time at Plas Y Brenin in North Wales…
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Terry Ralphs
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Terry learnt to climb on the gritstone edges of the Peak District then after graduating from Leeds University he decided to make his living in the outdoors, moving to North Wales to work at Plas y Brenin…
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
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Tommaso Dusi
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Tommaso is a an experienced Italian mountain guide and regular year-round ISM team member. He loves the mountains and helping people to connect and find happiness in nature.
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Rose Gare-Simmons
ISM Marketing
Rose is a Summer Mountain Leader, healthcare professional, and passionate advocate for the healing power of the outdoors. Her work is rooted in the simple belief that time in the mountains can change how we feel, how…
Read MoreAll Vital Information
Short introduction to vital information. This is everything you need to know about attending this course, links to other pages
All Vital Information
