Becoming a Better Sport Climber: Intermediate

Day 1: Anchors and Outdoor Leading

Explore the differences between climbing in the gym and climbing outside, from getting to the crag to placing quick draws. You’ll learn how to set up and clean basic anchors, a necessary skill for outdoor climbing (even if you aren’t leading). As you lead (or mock lead) your first outdoor sport route(s) you’ll begin learning how to navigate the added risks of outdoor climbing.

Day 2: Building Confidence and Awareness

Lead climbing and belaying outside involve many nuances. Every route invites something new to be aware of. You’ll take on more leadership in getting us to the crag and identifying routes to climb. You’ll practice leading and mock leading on more challenging climbs and continue building your confidence with systems, communication and anchor cleaning. If there’s time and interest, we’ll also learn rappelling.

Day 3: Pushing Your Edges

Hone your focus, practice intentional footwork, find rests and practice route reading. Build mental capacity by practicing falls and top roping/mock leading more difficult routes. And more anchor cleaning, of course.

Day 4: Outdoor Projecting Tactics

Breaking into new grades takes strategy and skill, not just strength. You’ll learn important tactics for safely putting up climbs that are at the edge of your ability so that you can be confident when you head outside on your own. If you aren’t interested in/ready for pushing grades, we’ll focus on volume and honing your skills.

Optional Day 5: Performance + Coaching Day (Add-On)

A personalized coaching day focused on your specific goals, whether that’s pushing your grade, improving mental resilience, or refining technique.

*Daily Outline Subject to Change

This progression series is a great fit if you:

• Have experience lead climbing in the gym, ideally comfortable leading up to 5.10b and top roping harder

• You climb outside with friends, but don’t really know what’s going on and want to be a more valuable teammate/partner (outdoor experience is helpful, but not necessary).

• Are confident with the basic systems of lead climbing including belaying, tying your knot, climbing movement and clipping.

• Want a structured, supportive, and progressive approach to becoming a more competent and confident sport climber.

• Practice with getting to the crag and identifying climbs and resources to support you

• Awareness of risks of outdoor climbing, how to manage risk and avoid easy mistakes

• Knowledge and experience building and cleaning anchors

• Experience leading outdoors and nuances of placing quickdraws

• Tools to manage fear and push your mental edge

• Improved movement, route reading and projecting tactics

• A strong foundation to be a competent and supportive sport climbing partner