Learn To | Traditional Lead Climbing | Anchor Setting | Ontario

Traditional Lead Climbing

This course provides you a solid foundation in risk management practices in all aspects of traditional lead climbing in a single pitch setting. You will cover a wide range of subjects from equipment, gear placement, movement skills to anchor setting, belay station setup, leading strategies, belaying and rappelling, problems solving (simple self-rescue techniques), and estimating the forces involved in falling and anchor setting.

Learning by doing.  You will practice and receive feedback from your instructor.

Upon completing the course, you will have the skills to lead single pitch climbs.  The skills you will have gained from this course will prepare you to further advance your climbing progression to multi-pitch climbing and alpine climbing.

"Taking the traditional Lead Climbing course with Xiaoping enabled me to critically evaluate gear placement and the building of anchor systems.  In addition, knowing that Xiaoping has been professionally evaluated by AMGA has given me peace of mind that he is competent and his advice is based on accredited standards.  Thank you!" -- Matthew Meadows, Barrie, Ontario

View more testimonials here.

Pre-requisites: Sport Lead Climbing and Rappelling course or Top Rope Anchor Setting and Rappelling course or equivalent.

Pre-course Prep: You are encouraged to learn to tie the following knots and hitches before coming to the course: figure 8 knot, figure 8 on a bite, overhand knot, overhand on a bite, water knot, bowline knot, clove hitch, double fisherman's knot, prusik hitch and overhand slip knot. Read books/articles and watch videos on trad climbing as much as you can.

Duration: 16-18 hours in 2 days (12 - 14 hours when only one participant shows up and it becomes a private session for this person).

Location: Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, Ontario

For more information, please view Itinerary, Facility, Equipment, Preparation and FAQ

Fees: $990/person + tax (HST in Ontario; GST in British Columbia).

Group Registration Discount:
  • $810/person, for 2 people
  • $720/person, for 3 people
  • To look for partners to take this course together, you may post a note on www.facebook.com/zenclimb.

Please email us your desired date(s).  We will verify the availability of our instructors and confirm your booking. Thanks!

Add another $120/person+tax to include foundamental multi-pitch trad climbing and rappelling techniques.

Please email us your desired date(s).  We will verify the availability of our instructors and confirm your booking. Thanks!

Last Minute Deal: For every course we run, we offer 1 spot at $720+tax, pending availability.  To take this deal, please submit the following registration and wirte "Las Minute Deal" in your email Subject line.  After we have received your payment, we will put your name on the priority list.  Whenever we have a spot available, we will notify the top three people on the priority list by email on the day before the course date.  The first person responds with acceptance will take the spot.  If by November 30, 2022, you are not able to attend your registered course, you will be refunded with your full payment minus $5.

Equity Fund $200: We strive to allocate one spot for a person who is experiencing financial hardship to take this course. If taking this course will have a significant positive impact in your life and, without this $200 support you won't take this course, we will apply this $200 to your course fee.  All you need to do is to  participate in the Last Minute Deal and in your registration email mention that you need the Equity Fund $200 to take this course.  We will email you when a spot becomes available.

Covid-19 Related Procedures: We will follow the current provincial and local park guidelines.

Register:

Please email  to provide the following informaiton:

- Your name, address and contact phone number;

- The number of people in your group. If there're minors in the group, indicate their age;

- Name of the course your group is registering;

- The location where you will take the course: A) Rattlesnake Point, B) Smok Bluffs Park.

- Your preferred date(s).

By submitting the above information, you agree to our Booking Conditions and Cancellation Policy.

Booking Conditions:

All participants are required to read, understand and sign this waiver of liability. Those under the age of 18 years must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their waiver. The minimum age to participate is 12.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation must be made 30 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive a 50% refund.  Otherwise, no refund will be issued.  You may transfer your reservation to another person within one week of the program (course, camp or retreat) start date. The administrative cost for this is $45 per person.

Nature tests us and nurtures us.  Zen Climb may at its sole discretion reschedule or cancel a booked program due to extreme risky weather conditions or other factors justifiable by Zen Climb. In the event of such a cancellation, we will notify you the cancellation the day before the start of the program.  You may reschedule and attend the same or similar course/program within six months or receive a 50% refund. If you did not receive a cancellation call from us, assume the program will run as scheduled.

Privacy Policy:

We take the protection and proper use of your personal information seriously. We respect your privacy, and take great care to safeguard information in our possession. For your peace of mind, please read our Privacy Policy in its entirety.  Thanks!