Students learn the fundamentals of lead climbing and demonstrate the ability to lead belay appropriately.

  • Learning clipping techniques
  • Learning Clip Positioning including dangers of backclip and Z clip
  • Understanding lead falls and assessing fall lengths
  • Rope awareness in relation to footwork
  • Understanding the parts and function of the GriGri
  • Learning principles of safe belaying with a GriGri including feeding and taking in slack
  • Understanding belayer positioning
  • Understanding commands and communication 
  • Understanding and practice of catching lead climber falls
  • Scenario discussions (weight differences, catching low falls)

Activity Notes

Taught by Portland Rock Gym