Rock Climbing Leader Week or Weekend in North Wales

Take your climbing skills to the next level with this comprehensive five-day course (or weekend) designed to help you become an independent traditional lead climber. This immersive course is set in the mountains of North Wales, offering a perfect environment for climbers who have experience seconding trad climbs or leading indoors/sport routes and want to transition into safely leading trad climbs. You’ll learn everything from placing and assessing traditional gear to building anchors and making important decisions on lead.

Key Details

Duration: 2 days/5 days
Location: Snowdonia, North Wales
Group Size: 1-3 people
Minimum Age: 18
Prerequisites: Experience seconding trad climbs or leading indoors/sport routes

Key Skills

Placing and assessing traditional climbing gear
Building and equalizing bombproof anchors
Route selection and lead strategies
Rope management and belay techniques
Problem-solving and decision-making on lead
Abseiling, retreating, and multi-pitch considerations

What to Expect

Throughout the five days, you'll receive expert instruction from a qualified team of mountaineering professionals. With a focus on hands-on learning, you’ll lead real trad routes under the guidance of instructors, building the necessary skills to climb independently. The course will cover all aspects of trad climbing, starting with gear placement and progressing to lead strategies, rope management, and multi-pitch considerations.

Small group sizes ensure that you receive plenty of personalised coaching, enabling faster progression. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to lead your own trad climbs safely and efficiently.

You’ll spend your days in the heart of Snowdonia, an area renowned for its world-class climbing, where you’ll have the chance to practice on iconic routes in an inspiring environment. This location provides perfect conditions for developing your skills, with each route offering unique challenges. Expect to spend your evenings discussing techniques, routes, and experiences with fellow climbers and instructors, giving you the chance to reflect and bond over a shared passion for climbing.

We also offer a 2-day course over a weekend, please see the schedule below for dates.

Location

Snowdonia, located in North Wales, is a haven for traditional climbers and is home to some of the best trad routes in the UK. The mountains here offer a wide variety of terrain, from crags with accessible routes to more challenging multi-pitch climbs.

With its rugged landscapes, Snowdonia is a perfect place to develop your climbing skills, surrounded by natural beauty. The area is steeped in climbing history and provides a memorable backdrop to your experience.

Prerequisites

Participants should have experience seconding trad climbs or leading indoors/sport routes. This course is designed for those who want to transition into leading trad climbs safely, so a good understanding of basic climbing techniques is essential.

If you're comfortable with belaying, rope management, and have experience on top-rope or sport climbs, this course will help you build the skills required for traditional lead climbing.

Why Choose Us

The team is led by Alex, a passionate climber and mountaineer who has climbed all over the world. Alex's experience in establishing new routes and his dedication to developing climbing culture ensure that you’ll receive top-tier instruction. With years of experience guiding in North Wales, Alex and his team are well-equipped to help you reach your climbing goals, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced.

We pride ourselves on small group sizes, meaning more personalised instruction and faster progress. Our guides are all highly qualified and dedicated to your success, giving you the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive environment. Whether you’re looking to improve your technique, gain confidence, or take your climbing to new heights, our team will be there to guide you every step of the way.

All safety equipment (except climbing shoes and chalk)

2 days/5 days of expert-led instruction

Use of climbing gear if required

Small group sizes for personalised coaching

Hands-on learning with real trad routes

Climbing shoes

Chalk

Personal travel insurance

Meals and accommodation

Transport to and from the meeting point

To participate in this course, you should have experience seconding trad climbs or leading indoor/sport routes. You should be comfortable with belaying and basic climbing techniques.

The course is designed to help climbers transition to leading trad climbs safely, so some prior climbing knowledge is essential.

We provide all safety equipment, including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and protection gear like cams, nuts, and slings. However, you will need to bring your own climbing shoes and chalk, as these are personal items.

If you don't have your own, we can provide recommendations for suitable places to hire them.

Accommodation is not included in the course. However, Snowdonia offers a range of accommodation options nearby, from campsites to guesthouses.

We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak seasons. Our team can provide you with suggestions for local accommodation upon request.

There are no official rest days during the course as the 5 days are designed to build upon each other, with each day focusing on a different aspect of trad climbing.

However, each day will include breaks and downtime, and the pace is set according to the group’s progress to ensure everyone stays comfortable and engaged.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to place and assess traditional climbing gear, build and equalize bombproof anchors, select and plan routes, and manage rope systems.

Additionally, you'll work on decision-making and problem-solving while leading trad routes, including multi-pitch considerations (on 5 day courses). By the end, you'll have the skills and confidence to lead your own trad climbs safely.

Meals are not provided as part of the course. We recommend bringing your own packed lunches or snacks for each day’s climbing.

There are local cafes and shops in Snowdonia where you can buy food or make arrangements for meals in the evenings.

Yes, this course is suitable for climbers who have experience seconding trad climbs and leading indoor/sport routes. Although multi-pitch climbing will be covered

on five day courses, prior experience is not necessary.

The course will introduce the concept and build up your skills progressively, with your instructor providing clear guidance every step of the way.

Based in North Wales, this mountaineering and climbing school is dedicated to helping climbers of all levels develop their skills and confidence on rock. Founded by Alex, whose passion for adventure climbing led to its creation, the centre offers a range of courses, from structured skills sessions to fully tailored private coaching. The team is made up of experienced and highly qualified climbers who are committed to delivering high-quality instruction. Whether someone is just starting out or looking to refine advanced techniques, they provide expert guidance to help individuals achieve their climbing goals. For those who want to experience the thrill of climbing without managing the technical aspects, guided climbs are also available. The instructors hold the highest UK qualifications in climbing and mountaineering instruction and remain committed to continuous personal and professional development. For international expeditions, they work with a trusted network of IFMGA guides, ensuring the highest standard of safety and expertise.