Learn the fundamentals of sport climbing during this 2-day immersive course as you experience lead climbing up routes clipping into pre-placed bolts, building and cleaning anchors and retreating back to the ground. A 1 day Gym-to-Crag option is also available.
Details
Pricing: $225/climber; min. of three climbers
Note: If there are less than 3 climbers, we can run the course with the below pricing schedule. Since we understand that the increase in price can be a barrier, refunds and rescheduling options are available for climbers who do not want to go on the trip with less than 3 climbers.
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2 climbers - $300/climber
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1 climber - $475/climber
How to Book: A calendar with public dates are not available. Email or call us with your available dates. We will then match you with other climbers who have similar available dates. We're available weekends and weekdays and dates do not have to be consecutive.
Course Length: 2 days | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (16 hrs.)
Gym-to-Crag 1 Day Option: For climbers who sport climb in a rock climbing gym and for those who need a refresher for outdoor sport climbing. $120/climber
Course Size: 1:6 guide-to-client ratio with a maximum number of 6 clients
Instructor: Instructed by guide Chadd Sechler, who has 30+ years of climbing experience and completed the American Mountain Guide Association Single Pitch Instructor course (scheduled to take the assessment exam).
Course Location: Birdsboro Climbing Quarry, a Sport Climbing mecca and destination for mid-Atlantic climbers. Birdsboro, or "The Bird" for short, is one of Pennsylvania's most accessible Sport Climbing crags with nearly 150 routes that range in difficulty from 5.0 to 5.14. The rock climbing at The Bird start in 1993 and is currently maintained and funded by the Birdsboro Area Climbers Association.
Lodging Option: French Creek State Park (campgrounds, cottages, modern cabins, yurts)
Special Note: The Intro to Sport Climbing course is not certification a course
Recommended Experience:
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Familiarity with the following climbing knots and hitches: figure 8 follow-through, figure 8 on a bight, double fisherman, clove hitch, prussic, auto block, klemheist. Please refer to AnimatedKnots.com for reference.
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Ability to top-rope climb 5.7
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solid top rope belaying technique
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Prior anchor building experience (at a minimum, familiar with anchor building concepts)
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VTS Climbing Anchors 101 courses or similar experience
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Prior outdoor rock climbing and rappelling
Day 1
Day 1 consists of mostly ground school where climbers practice clipping draws to hangers, practice clipping rope to draws, build, and evaluate other participants' anchors and simulate cleaning and retreating from anchors and sport climbs. Day 1 includes learning the principles of lead belaying and usually includes some mock sport lead climbing (sport leading under a top-rope belay scenario). You'll also get to practice lead falling. The Instructor delivers and reviews a lot of information on day 1.
Day 2
Day 2 is reinforcement day and all about helping you retain and apply by yourself the information, skills, and techniques learned on Day 1. Day 2 begins with a review that transitions into a Question-Answer-Demonstration session. The day progresses with participants lead belaying and mock sport lead climbing for most of the day. Day 2 is all about building confidence.
Topics Covered
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Review of climbing knots
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Route development
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Lead climbing strategies
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Rope management
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Belaying the leader
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Belayer and climber communication
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Lead falls
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Confident clipping
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Climbing movement
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Building and cleaning sport anchors
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Retreating from and cleaning a sport climb
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Risk management
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In-depth review of sport climbing gear
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LNT principles and climbing ethics
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Guide books and route identification
