Want to get a solid overview of what trad climbing is all about? If so, you need to start placing gear in safe and controlled environments. By learning how trad gear works in anchor building scenarios you can gain confidence to begin constructing great trad anchors AND prepare yourself for leading trad routes in the future. As a short clinic you do NOT need to bring your own trad gear since we will be working in an inside environment to gain an understanding of the strengths and limits of both active and passive gear.

This clinic is a great overview of how trad gear works but in no way qualifies you at the end of it to begin leading trad routes. In order to gain more competence we recommend that you join our full day "Intro to Trad" class for in-depth instruction, coming soon.

Details:

Ages 18 and up. $20 per person, 20% off for Pando Conservation Club members.

Previous outdoor climbing exprerience required. Participants must demonstrate the following at beginning of class: properly fitting your harness and tying into harness with a Figure 8 follow-thru knot, properly setting up a GriGri or ATC-style belay device for belaying, and how to use a "3rd hand" backup to protect your descent while rappelling.

Class Agenda:

• Passive protection vs.active protection placements

• SERENE and ERNEST Anchors

• What is the "zipper effect?"

• Buiding a "good enough" top-rope anchor

• 4th class terrain top-rope set up safety considertaions

• "Cleaning" trad gear

• Gear racking considerations