one-day
Trad Climbing
Intensive
one-day Trad climbing
intensive
Single:$220
Intro
Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado
1-Day
GAIN CONFIDENCE IN TRAD CLIMBING!
Are you yearning to explore longer, more adventurous, rock climbs- maybe some routes at our home crag, Eldorado Canyon?
Does that require understanding how traditional gear works?
In this seminar, there is a strong focus on understanding traditional climbing principles from, how to place traditional gear and assess them, to testing the gear you've placed with real-time feedback!
-
-March 29th, Golden
-April 19th, Golden
-May 18th, Eldo
-
READY TO PUSH INTO A NEW DISCIPLINE?
Are you yearning to explore longer, more adventurous, rock climbs- maybe some routes at our home crag, Eldorado Canyon?
Does that require understanding how traditional gear works?
In this seminar, there is a strong focus on understanding traditional climbing principles from, how to place traditional gear and assess them, to testing the gear you've placed with real-time feedback!
WE WILL FOCUS ON:
+In depth conversation on the gear used for traditional climbing, plus guide preferences
+How to place passive and active traditional gear
+How to assess these two types of gear as well as fixed gear
+Test gear strength by bounce testing your placements with guide feedback at the moment
+The full “crystal ball” of information on the leader protection system
+As appropriate, live leader falls with mental coaching
In this seminar, our group will focus on these concepts through practice both on and off the rock. When our guests test gear in our mock lead scenarios, we make sure an instructor is next to you (off the ground) so when you have specific questions about your placement, they are there to help!
All climbing is done on a top rope, in the single pitch environment, in order to expose our guests to the most repetition of these new techniques as possible.
-
This adventure takes place in Golden, Colorado.
Pre-Course Call:
Our team extends the offer to schedule a group call before your course. They will discuss crag options for the day, review gear needs, and share a general time plan for the climbing day. This is also a great way to ask any questions.
Morning:
Meet at the trailhead given to you by your guide, share in some group hellos, and share a morning meeting,
The team will make any small adjustments to the kit and then take a stroll to the crag.
An integral part of climbing is familiarity with the area and its history. Our team shares some stories and educates as we approach.
Learn to Lead Trad:
Conversations and Practicals around; Risk Management, Route Selection, Guidebook Comprehension, Gear Organization, Climbing Signals and Communication, Placing Gear and Building Anchors, Lead Strategy, Mock Leads, and Critiques.
The focus of this day is on building strong traditional climbing foundations that will set your climbing up for long-term success. Instruction will be limited to a single-pitch setting on this first day.
End Of Day Debrief:
At the cars, we focus our attention on the day; sharing the Rose, the Bud, and the Thorn to ruminate more deeply on the experience. It is often customary ( but not mandatory) to have a meal back in the town to celebrate the great days spent in the mountains!
-
FOOTWEAR
+Socks
UPPER LAYERS
+Synthetic T-shirt
For Colder Days Please Consider
BOTTOM LAYERS
GLOVES/HATS
+Buff
BACKPACKS
+35-55L Crag Pack
ACCESSORIES
+Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Sun Hat
+Nalgene, Minimum 1.5L
+Climbing Snacks: 100 calories an hour!
EQUIPMENT
+Belay Device w/x5 Locking Carabiner
+ 120cm Sewn Sling w/ a Non-Locking Carabiner
+ Anchoring Cord 18' w/ a Non-Locking Carabiner
+ 180 cm Sling w/ a Non-Locking Carabiner
+ Single Rack of Cams .3-#3 & Small Assortment of Wedges
+ Alpine Draw and QuickDraws
Smile Mountain Guides can supply rock climbing gear including helmets, harnesses, shoes, ropes, cams, slings, carabiners, and belay/rappel devices.
PREPARATIONS FOR ONE-DAY TRAD INTENSIVE
Technical Experience
An understanding of leading and the lead-belay systems are required for this program.
Fitness
General physical fitness is recommended. Climbers should be able to be outside for approximately 8-hours while staying engaged and climbing.
Meet Your Instructors
FAQ’s
one-DAY TRAD intensive QUESTIONS
The answers to our most commonly asked questions for our Trad Intensive.
-
PRICE INCLUDES
+Guide fees (4:1 climber-to-guide ratio)
+Group equipment such as ropes, helmets, harnesses, shoes, and technical climbing equipment.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
+Food and beverage
+Transportation
+Hotels/lodging in Colorado
+All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees)
+Trip cancellation insurance
-
Smile Mountain Guides provides the following gear.
Technical:
+Helmets
+Harness
+Shoes
+Ropes and group technical equipment
Not Provided:
+Cams
+Anchoring cord
+Prussik cords
+Draws/slings
Smile Mountain Guides does not provide the clothing needed to be comfortable in the mountain environment.
-
Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet the professional mountain guiding standard. These programs have a 4:1 ratio and can accommodate up to 8 guests and 2 guides.
-
Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
-
Yes! A large portion of our business is designed around custom programs. Please email, climb@smilemountainguides.com if you would like more information or visit our Custom Instruction page.