Outdoor Adventures in the Highlands for all
Our Learn to Lead Climb Week course will teach you to lead climb on trad & sport (if you wish) and we will use crags like Cummingston, Pinnacle, Polldubh and Kingussie.
£750 For Per Person
Learn To Lead Climb Week
Duration | 5 days |
Group Size | 2-4 |
Difficulty | variable |
Season Of The Year | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
Minimum Age | 9 |
Meeting Place | Kingussie Golf Course Car Park 10:00 |
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Interested In A Private Course Or Have Any Questions? Drop Us An Enquiry Below.
Learn To Lead Climb Week Long Course Information
A learn to lead climbing course in the Cairngorms National Park & the Scottish Highlands is a comprehensive program designed to teach you the essential skills and techniques required for safe and confident lead climbing. The aim of the 5 days is that at the end ion the week you come away feeling that you no longer need an instructor there with you! The course will be led by an experienced guide who will provide personalised instruction and feedback tailoring the course and aims to you, allowing you to progress at your own pace. You will learn how to place protection, lead belay, abseil and build anchors across a wide range of crags. The stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands provides a breathtaking backdrop for your climbing adventure, and you will have the opportunity to climb challenging routes and build your confidence on more technical climbs if you wish it and if it is appropriate to do so.
This course is suitable for those with some climbing experience and a desire to progress to lead climb. Whether you are looking to climb outdoors for the first time or to develop your existing skills, a learn to lead climbing course in the Scottish Highlands is an excellent way to improve your climbing abilities and further develop.
The course requires two people to run as you always need a climber and belayer – your instructor will be alongside you a rope. The youngest person we have taught to lead climb on traditional gear is 9 years old which was remarkable.
A 5-day learn to lead climbing course in the Highlands of Scotland is a comprehensive and immersive program designed to teach participants the skills and techniques required to lead climb safely and confidently. Here is an itinerary for a typical 5-day course:
Day 1 Kingussie Crags: The first day of the course will begin with by meeting your instructor at 10:00 in the car park, they will go over the itinerary and plans for the week and tailor the 5 days to your aims, aspirations and abilities. Participants will then be introduced to the basic equipment used in lead climbing, including ropes, harnesses, and protection. The day will be spent practicing basic climbing techniques on single-pitch climbs, with a focus on good gear selection, placement and anchor building. This could involve seconding routes, talking about gear placements, building anchors, rope work and if appropriate have you leading on day 1.
Day 2 Pinnacle Crags: On the second day, participants will begin to develop the skills from day 1 to become more independent climbers searching for the gear placements as they go with their instructor alongside them helping them out – when they get to the top you will learn new ways to build anchors depending on the situation presented at the top of the crag.
Day 3 Cummingston Crags: The third day will involve more advanced lead climbing techniques, including personal abseil setups which you might need to use approaching climbs, retreating from climbs or just retrieving stuck gear. Participants will be continually taught how to lead climb safely focusing on progressive development, using proper protection techniques and communication with their belayer as appropriate.
Day 4 Creag Na H-Eighe Crags: On the fourth day, participants will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test on slightly more challenging climbs (if they wish it). But there are still plenty of easy routes at the crag so there is no requirement to do so. The focus will be on building confidence and working on trying to become independent today with less direct input from the instructor who will focus more on the use of questioning as a coaching method to see what you have absorbed.
Day 5 Polldubh Crags: The final day of the course will be spent on a multi-pitch lead climb (if you wish), allowing participants to showcase the skills they have learned over the week and learn some more. The day will also include a debrief with the guide, providing an opportunity for reflection and feedback. The new skills today will be based around variations of belaying on multi pitch and stance management.
Throughout the course, participants will have the chance to learn about the history and development of climbing, adding depth to the overall experience. Overall, a 5-day learn to lead climbing course in the Highlands of Scotland is an immersive and challenging program designed to teach participants the skills and techniques required for safe and confident independent lead climbing.
We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your Learn To Lead Climb Week Long Course:
Aviemore:
Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.
Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.
Premier Inn – always a good shout.
Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.
Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.
Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:
https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.
Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.
Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.
Our five day learn to lead climbing course in the Highlands of Scotland is an immersive and comprehensive program designed to teach you the essential skills and techniques required for safe and confident lead climbing on traditional climbing routes. If you want to become an independent climber and have the capacity to go and climb routes with your friends leading them up then this is the course for you! The course will be led by an experienced guide (who will be a member of AMI so you know they are certified as holding the highest possible awards in climbing making them amongst the very best instructors in the world) who will provide personalised instruction and feedback, allowing you to progress at your own pace.
Our stunning scenery in the Scottish Highlands provides a breathtaking backdrop for your climbing adventures and the crag provide brilliant learning environments with routes being well protected and quality rock. There are easy climbs to learn on and more adventurous climbs should that be what people prefer. You will have the opportunity to climb single and possibly multi pitch routes and build your confidence on more technical climbs. Overall, this course is an excellent way to develop your climbing skills and become an independent climber!
We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you. However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your Learn To Lead Climb Week Long Course:
- Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
- Lunch, water.
- Personal medication
- Sun cream, midge net
- Waterproofs (it is Scotland after all)
- Sturdy footwear.
- Climbing shoes.
Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with on the day.
- All instruction.
- Helmets
- Ropes
- Harness
- All Technical Climbing Gear
- All first aid and safety equipment.
- Transportation for 2 people. Pickup can be arranged from elsewhere if needed.
- Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost!
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Learn To Lead Rock Climbing Week Long Course Meeting Place
- Rock Climbing in Aviemore, Cairngorms, Scotland
Please look out for the van branded with our logo’s on all sides. We will always get there early and try to park up prominently for you to see us.
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