The Sharp End - The Most Comprehensive Lead course in the Mid-Atlantic (2-3 days)
Few experiences in the world of climbing can equal the excitement, fulfillment and joy of successfully leading a challenging technical rock climb. Perhaps it’s the final pitch to the summit of the mountain of your dreams, the sweetest crack system at your local crag, or the beckoning line of pockets and crimps of a difficult sport climb. No matter how you cut it, that lead can provide the ultimate climbing experience as well as memories to last a lifetime.
Learning to lead safely (it’s not affectionately called the” sharp end” for nothing) is the culmination of a progressive educational process. At SRMG we take the responsibility of guiding you through this phase seriously. Lead falls are the leading cause of injury in climbing. After decades on the rock we’ve seen the consequences of poor preparation and weak skills. And we’ve learned to develop strong, knowledgeable leaders with the ability to make good decisions based on experience—in other words, to exercise good judgment.
In this course you will use the complete range of current anchoring tools, from stoppers to spring-loaded camming devices, and are given the opportunity to make scores of protection placements in simulated (top-rope protected) leading scenarios. Your instructor provides an ongoing critique to insure improvement.
The multi-pitch leading scenarios also provide repeated opportunities for belay anchor construction, placement of directional anchors for the leader and second, complex belay station and rope management, self-rescue readiness exercises, and other skill sets such as route-finding and rock quality assessment.
Our indoor anchoring and leading walls insure that no time is lost to inclement weather, and provide additional training during evening clinics.
Ability to climb 5.5 and previous seconding experience are recommended.
Classes begin on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
- Student to instructor ratio 2 to 1.
- Use of our exclusive Indoor Real Rock Anchoring Wall
- Free camping while enrolled in any class. Free lodging in the WEXLER HUT when taking a 2 person 2 or 3 day Lead course --(Weekday classes only)
| Course | 1 person | 2 person | 3 person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning to Lead 2 Day | $350 | $300 each | By Request Only - $250 each * |
| Learning to Lead 3 Day | $450 | $400 each | By Request Only - $325 each ** |
* Any 3 Person 2 Day class can start any weekday except Friday
** Any 3 Person 3 Day class must start either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
All standard weekday courses start on Tuesdays
