Single Day Learn to Lead Trad (Custom)

As low as:

$650.00 / person

(at 1:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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About


This single-day version of our Learn to Lead Trad course is an excellent way to hone your skills for traditional leading. Under the eye of a qualified instructor, you’ll learn the fundamentals to lead safely and efficiently outdoors using removable protection. Instructors will focus on technical systems and provide detailed feedback and coaching. 

All skills learned will be techniques that meet an internationally accepted standard, providing a solid and necessary foundation as you progress in your climbing. 

Curriculum

  • Placing removable protection
  • Anchor building with removable protection
  • Rope & station management
  • Selecting & carrying a rack
  • Protection strategies
  • Safe and efficient lead belaying and climbing techniques


Included in the price:

  • 1 day of instruction with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear
  • Personal technical gear* (harness, helmet, carabiners, belay/rappel device, climbing shoes) *upon request

Not included in the price:

  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Clothing
  • Personal equipment

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Location


Courses typically take place at Comox (Cumberland) Lake Crags, but Crest Creek Crags, Nanaimo River, and Mount Wells (Victoria) are also options. If you would like to request a specific location prior to booking, please reach out. 
 
Locations will be noted on the booking tab with the corresponding date. 
 
Please note that certain crags may be more suitable depending on the weather and time of year – if weather dictates that the course will be delivered more optimally elsewhere, we may provide the option of moving your course to a more suitable location. We encourage you to maintain some flexibility in your plans to allow this possibility. 
 
Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Itinerary


Curriculum delivery will depend on the students, the instructor and other factors such as weather and conditions, but below is a general idea of what to expect:

09:00 – Meet at the location specified in your pre-trip email. The instructor will facilitate introductions and hand out any rental items that were purchased as add-ons. You will then sign waivers (please note that anyone under 18 needs to have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and sent in prior to the course).

The crags are usually a short hike from the parking lot. You will set up here for the day, progressing through the curriculum at a pace that works for your group. 

17:00 – Debrief to complete the course and return any rental equipment. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Questions? Check out our
FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Requirements


This is an intermediate-level course. Prior to registering, participants should:

  • Know what grade you can climb reliably without falling
  • Have completed an Intro to Rock course (or have equivalent experience)
  • Some previous leading experience

Pre-course homework:

Please ensure you are comfortable with the following basic knots: 

  • Figure 8 follow-through 
  • Figure 8 on a bight 
  • Overhand 
  • Double overhand 
  • Double fisherman’s 
  • Clove hitch 
  • Prussik 
  • Munter hitch 

We recommend checking out the “Animated Knots” website for instructions. 

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We’re happy to help you find or customize courses to suit your needs. 

Gear List 


Your instructor will provide all group gear (or “the rack” -- ropes, slings, carabiners, etc.). Please bring the following, and reach out if you have any questions:

Technical Gear: 

  • Harness 
  • Helmet 
  • Belay device & locking carabiner 
  • Climbing shoes 

If you require any of the items on the technical gear list, please email us to request it (along with any sizing requirements such as shoe size). 

Clothing: 

  • T-shirt or long-sleeve (ideally loose-fitting)
  • Pants (ideally loose-fitting, tapered at the ankle) 
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants) 
  • Mid-weight insulating jacket 
  • Approach shoes (something that will provide some support on trails to the climb)
  • Toque and/or sun hat 

Other: 

  • Sunglasses that block 100% UV 
  • Sunscreen 
  • SPF lip balm 
  • Lunch (pre-prepared) and snacks 
  • Water bottle 
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended) 
  • 30L backpack 

If you own any additional equipment, you are welcome to bring it along so that you can learn more about the gear you already own.

Questions? Send us an email or read our blog for advice on choosing appropriate gear. 

Testimonials


It was a great course! Learned a ton and Andrew was a phenomenal guide. Despite the weather being mostly horrible but we don’t feel we missed out on anything. Great experience.
Jamie Saby

So great!! We learned a ton and our guide was more than awesome. I will definitely be taking more courses with IAG in the future.
Natasha H

I started lead climbing after a course taught by Jan Neuspiel. We covered gear placement, anchors, rope management and multi pitch climbing techniques. This professional instruction proved priceless to me on so many levels. I noticed my base technical skills were at a higher level compared to more "seasoned" climbers. There is just so much ground level knowledge I gained that would have been impossible to replicate without professional instruction. As I progressed in my climbing, I teamed up with Jan as a climbing partner four years later on a 3000ft big wall on Baffin Island. I highly recommend this training to anyone serious about climbing safely and effectively.
Guy Ridler, Courtenay, BC.

Christophe and the course were amazing! We got to climb multiple routes (wet but fun) on the safety of top rope but also while placing our own gear. The feedback from Christophe on every piece of pro we placed while we belayed him up was really good. Then coming back down every route we got to remove and re-examine our placed gear. Of course, as with any guide, we got to hear some real-life experiences and stories on which systems have worked well for that guide, gotta love the personal touch! I would and have recommended this course to people in my similar circles, familiar with climbing and some of it's practices, but needing to place more pro and be able to evaluate and be confident on the placing of that pro. A definite must-do course for those looking to head out into the mountains and get into slightly more technical climbs.
Ryan Smith, Nanaimo, BC

Thanks for teaching us the ropes last weekend. You are helping to bring my mountaineering dreams into reach. You rock!
Matthew Lettington, Nanaimo, BC

Thanks again for the awesome course and weekend. A real pleasure hanging (pun intended) with you over the weekend. We'll keep in touch.
Russell Henry, Nanaimo, BC.

This was a great course, highly recommended!
Patrick Horsfield, Nanaimo, BC.

The introduction to lead climbing course was a learning experience of a lifetime. The teaching was superb and brought the best out of me at a pace that was suitable to my needs and compatible with my goals. Perhaps most importantly, it challenged me to think logically about working with the gear, rock and my climbing partners in the safest way possible. Upon finishing the course, I feel comfortable working independently at my level and taking appropriate risks to further my goals in the mountains. It was one of the most satisfying classes I have taken.
Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC

Christophe and the course were amazing! We got to climb multiple routes (wet but fun) on the safety of top rope but also while placing our own gear. The feedback from Christophe on every piece of pro we placed while we belayed him up was really good. Then coming back down every route we got to remove and re-examine our placed gear. Of course, as with any guide, we got to hear some real life experiences and stories on which systems have worked well for that guide, gotta love the personal touch! I would and have recommended this course to people in my similar circles, familiar with climbing and some of it's practices, but needing to place more pro and be able to evaluate and be confident on the placing of that pro. A definite must-do course for those looking to head out into the mountains and get into slightly more technical climbs.
Ryan Smith, Nanaimo, BC

The course was very good. Christophe has an excellent teaching style. His knowledge is obvious but he delivers it in a calm, relaxed and non-pretentious manner. A true teacher. I felt safe the entire time. And, I left with much more knowledge than I arrived with. Also, I have a greater awareness of my limitations. This is a good thing! "What the mind doesn't know, the eye doesn't see!" I now see a lot more! Thanks for sending us such a great instructor.
Tom Roozendaal, Nanaimo, BC

I had a great experience with IAG. Jan takes the time to explain things and makes sure that you understand what he is saying through hands on practice. He is also very patient and very knowledgeable. I wouldn’t hesitate in taking another IAG course or recommending them. Hope to see you on the rocks!! Thanks again for everything.
Tim Turray, Courtenay, BC.

The course was great, another very useful tool to add to my alpine toolbox. The individual critique of each piece of protection by Jan was invaluable for learning. I left the course knowing what I needed to practice and feeling confident to lead.
Peter Blencowe, Victoria, BC

Testimonials

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