Becoming a Better Trad Climber: Intermediate

Day 1: Mileage + Movement at Your Edge

Follow routes that challenge you beyond your current lead grade, while refining efficiency, movement, and route reading. Practice mock leading or leading to build confidence and control.

Day 2: Advanced Systems + Anchors

Dial in creative anchor building and improve rope management—especially at hanging belays. Continue leading or mock leading with a focus on efficiency and decision-making.

Day 3: Breaking Into New Grades

Work your first mini project! Practice strategically breaking into harder grades with support and coaching. Practice falling and hanging on gear in a controlled environment to build trust and reduce hesitation on lead.

Day 4: Intro to Rescue Skills

Learn basic rescue skills that you'll actually use if something goes wrong i.e. dropping your belay/rappel device. With essential tools in the toolbox, you'll be more equipped to improvise in a pinch.

Optional Day 5: Alpine Experience (Add-On below…)

Climb a multi-pitch in Rocky Mountain National Park! Regardless of if you get to lead a pitch, you'll gain experience in a more serious environment and get a taste of the beautiful places trad climbing can take you. Offered at a discounted rate.

*Daily Outline Subject to Change

This course is a great fit if you:

• Have experience leading multi-pitch trad routes

• Are proficient with gear placements and anchor building

• Feel confident leading outdoors and want to progress further

• Are ready to push into harder grades with guidance and support

• Want to refine systems, efficiency, and overall decision-making

• Greater confidence leading at your current grade and beyond

• Improved efficiency with gear placements, anchors and rope systems

• Experience falling and trusting your gear

• Strategies to project and break into new grades

• Foundational rescue skills that you'll actually use

• A deeper sense of trust in yourself as a trad climber