Scale new heights with our Sport Climbing Course! Learn to lead with an AMGA certified rock guide and build your skills for a lifetime of adventure.
Season
Spring through Fall
Skill Level
Intermediate
Duration
6-8 hours
Group Size
1 to 6 participants
The Learn to Lead Sport Rock Climbing Course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to take your climbing to the next level. Led by AMGA certified guides, you'll learn everything from proper technique to rope management and safety considerations.
Throughout the course, you'll have the opportunity to practice lead climbing on real rock surfaces, building your confidence and skill set as you progress. Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including anchor building, route selection, and hazard management. By the end of the course, you'll be well-prepared to tackle challenging sport climbing routes on your own.
Whether you're a beginner looking to get into lead climbing or an experienced climber seeking to improve your skills, our Learn to Lead Sport Rock Climbing Course is the perfect choice. Sign up today and take the first step toward a thrilling and rewarding climbing adventure!
Max Lurie - Alpine to the Max
With a degree in environmental science and a focus on glaciology, Max’s deep understanding of mountain environments is only matched by his passion for them. He began his career in 2012 in New Hampshire, where he became an EMT and started guiding. Moving west, he earned his American Mountain Guides Association certifications in both rock and alpine disciplines. In 2020, he founded Alpine to the Max, an AMGA-accredited guide service that now operates throughout Colorado. He also teaches professional avalanche education for Silverton Avalanche School. When not teaching or guiding, you can find him mountain biking in the desert southwest with his fiancée.
8:00 am - Introduction to Lead Climbing: Overview of course objectives, equipment review, and safety protocols.
8:30 am - Lead Climbing Technique: Introduction to lead climbing techniques including clipping, body positioning, and footwork.
10:00 am - Anchor Building: Introduction to anchor building for sport climbing, including types of bolts, hangers, and quickdraws.
11:00 am - Route Selection: How to select appropriate routes for your skill level, understanding route difficulty ratings.
11:30 pm - Lead Climbing Practice: Hands-on practice of lead climbing techniques on real rock surfaces with instructor guidance.
3:00 pm - Hazard Management: Introduction to identifying and managing hazards associated with lead climbing, including falls and rockfall.
3:30 pm - Review and Q&A: Review of course material and time for questions and answers. Conclusion: Closing thoughts, course evaluation, and next steps.
This curriculum is intended as a sample and may be adjusted based on the skill level and needs of the participants. It's important to note that one day is a short period for a comprehensive course, and it's recommended to take a multi-day course for an in-depth learning experience.
Participants should bring their own personal climbing equipment, including climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets, and a belay device. They should also bring appropriate clothing for climbing, water, and snacks. If you have your own rope, quickdraws, etc... you are more than welcome to bring them.
This course is designed for participants with some climbing experience but no lead climbing experience. The instructors will provide thorough instruction and guidance to help participants develop the skills needed for lead climbing.
The course will include both ground school instruction and hands-on practice on the rock. At no point will you be asked to do something you aren't comfortable. Ample opportunities will be given to practice skills before performing them off the ground.
No, there are no certifications for recreational climbing. However, after this course, you will be more than comfortable passing any lead climbing test in a gym setting. As well as gain the knowledge and skills needed for lead climbing on sport routes outside.
Participants should be in good physical condition and able to climb for several hours at a time. They should also be comfortable with heights and have no major medical conditions that could affect their ability to climb. Being very comfortable on 5.8 routes on top rope will accelerate the learning process.
Alpine to the Max is an independent certified guide with more than a decade of experience in a wide variety of terrain. No matter your current skill level, when you climb with us you get a top-notch experience that is fully customized to meet your exact desires.
