Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques
If you're already dialed at sport climbing but want to take your climbing to the next level, it's time to learn how to trad climb! Trad climbing will open up your world of climbing opportunities and you'll be able to start exploring routes without relying on previously installed bolts. This course will teach you how to properly place gear (cams, nuts), how to clean gear, how to trust your gear, and how to build trad anchors.






Take your outdoor rock climbing to the next level with our Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques course!
In this course we will cover the following:
- Types of gear and when to use
- Gear Placement (as a leader)
- Gear Cleaning (as a follower)
- Trad Anchors
- Trusting Your Gear
Max client to guide ratio is 6:1
Requisite Experience
Basic sport climbing experience including sport anchor building, rappelling, and belaying.
Dates
Available Dates
August 6, 2022
August 20, 2022
September 3, 2022
September 17, 2022
Prices
Refer to overview pageItinerary
Meet at 8AM and spend a full day learning about various trad climbing techniques!Equipment
Gear Guide - Intro to Trad Climbing Techniques
Gear Guide / Packing List
Technical Gear
- Helmet, UIAA/CE approved for climbing, Petzl Scirocco
- Harness with belay loop, UIAA/CE approved for climbing, Petzl Hirundos
- Climbing Shoes
- Approach Shoes (optional, bring if you have them)
- Nut Tool, for removing nuts/stoppers
- Non-locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Locking Carabiners, 5 carabiners
- Belay Device, Tube style belay device, Petzl Reverso, BD ATC Guide
- Assisted Braking Device, ABD style belay device, Petzl “GriGri”
- 1 Prusik loop, fixed 4’ loop of 6mm nylon cord or purpose built loop like Sterling “Hollow Block”
- 1 Cordelette, 20’, 7mm nylon cord or 5.9mm Sterling PowerCord
- Double Length Sewn Runner, Black Diamond 18mm Nylon Runners 120cm
Rope, Rack, and Draws (If you don’t have these, please reach out to your guide)
- Rope, One 60-70m "single" dynamic rope (optional)
- Rack, A lead climbing rack (Cams, stoppers/nuts, tri-cams, etc.)
- Draws, A set of 10-12 standard or alpine draws
Head and Neck Items
- Sun Hat - A Baseball Hat; Blackbird Mountain Guides Logo Hat
- Sunglasses - Dark Lens Glasses
- Warm Hat - Lightweight Warm Hat that Fits Under Your Helmet
Upper Body and Hand Layers (Depending on Weather)
- Long Sleeve Base Layer - Lightweight, Synthetic/Wool; Patagonia SunHoody
- Insulating Top Layers - Light to Midweight Insulation Layer; Patagonia R1 & Nano Air
- Puffy - Midweight Down or Synthetic with Hood; Patagonia Fitzroy or similar
- Softshell Jacket, Hooded – Weather resistant but breathable, not insulated or waterproof
- Light Gloves - Light to Mid Weight for cool temps
- Sports Bra - Wool/Synthetic
Lower Body and Foot Layers
- Underwear - Wool/Synthetic
- Socks - Midweight Wool/Synthetic; Darn Tough Via Ferrata
- Long Underwear - Wool/Synthetic “Long Johns”; Patagonia Capilene Air
- Softshell Climbing Pants - Breathable, Weather Resistant Pants - Marmot Scree Pants
Food and Water
- Water for a full day of climbing
- Snacks for a full day of climbing
Other Essentials
- Sun Screen (SPF 30 minimum)
- Lip Balm (with SPF)
Group Gear
Blackbird Mountain Guides will supply the following group gear for the trip, including:
- Guide’s First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags (Solid Human Waste Disposal Bags)
- Climbing Ropes
- Hardware for anchors
- Lead climbing rack (cams & stoppers)
- Draws and/or Alpine Draws
Know Before You Go
Location
Donner Summit, CA
Elevation
7,000-8,000'
Technical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪
This course has requisite climbing experience
Physical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪
We will be doing some rock climbing during this course
Trip Length
1 day
- Regular price
- $199.00
- Sale price
- $199.00
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