2-Day Trad Climbing Course Learn to place gear, build anchors, and climb safely using natural protection. / Public Courses / Rock Climbing Courses / 2-Day Trad Climbing Course Overview This 2-day traditional climbing course will teach you how to use natural and placed protection. In trad climbing, the rope is clipped into gear that is placed in cracks or on features in the rock, which protects the climber from falling. Natural and placed protection includes using trees, boulders, threads, horns, and gear such as cams, nuts, and hexes (collectively known as trad gear). Trad climbing can be both mentally and physically challenging, and it is considered the purest form of rock climbing. This course is popular among individuals with some climbing experience who want to try trad climbing, as well as those interested in mountaineering. You do not need to climb at a high grade or have extensive climbing experience to attend this course. Our training locations offer a variety of climbing routes suitable for all skill levels. The course focuses on gear placements, anchor building, and climbing safely. This course is ideal for recreational climbers and those working towards the NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association) Rock1 or Rock2 instructor awards. Course Details Prerequisites Before attending this course, you must be competent at belaying with an ATC/belay plate or GriGri and have some outside climbing experience. If you’re unsure if you meet the prerequisites for this course, please give us a call or email before completing your booking. Course Location Our 2-day trad climbing courses are delivered in Christchurch. On this course, you will visit two of Christchurch’s best trad climbing locations, Rapaki climbing area & Gibraltar Rock. Accommodation Accommodation is not included in this course. We recommend staying in Central Christchurch or South Christchurch. Food This is a self-catered course. Please pack lunch, snacks and a large drink for each day. Free Transport from Christchurch If You’re Travelling From Out Of Town: Transport is provided from Christchurch. You have the option to meet us at the training location or at one of the designated meeting points listed below. Please refer to our FAQs for a complete list of hotel pickup locations. We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day prior to your course. At the conclusion of the course, we are happy to transport you back to your accommodation or directly to the airport. Meeting location (catch a ride with us): If you are bringing your car, please meet us at the following location: Opposite Princess Margaret Hospital, Cashmere Road, Cashmere (see on Google Maps) OENZ Vans Gear & Equipment All climbing gear and specialised equipment are available for you to borrow at no additional cost for the duration of the course. If you have your own gear or can borrow equipment that you are likely to use while climbing, we recommend bringing it along. Gear List Is this the right rock climbing course for me? Download Flow Chart Course Outline This two-day course covers the fundamentals of traditional climbing and gear placement in a supportive environment with no need for high grades or prior trad experience. Days 1: Trad Climbing Skills Covered General NZ rock climbing grading system Interpreting NZ climbing guidebooks Knots for trad climbing Safety Climbing Calls Buddy checks Personal safety at the top of the crag Checking gear & equipment for damage Accessing the top Belaying Trad belaying Stance Positioning Using Natural Protection Trees Boulders Threads Horns Placed Protection Nuts Cams /SLCD’S Hexes Place the first piece/directional piece Anchor Systems Natural and placed protection anchors Linking systems Slings Cordlette Y-shape anchors W-shape anchors Single point anchors Day 2: Consolidation Climbing Today’s focus will be on reviewing gear placements, completing a gear placement training exercise, and spending plenty of time climbing — with an emphasis on practising good technique. Download Course Outline Meet Some of Our Rock Climbing Instructors Alan Haslip Sarah English Lachie Crawford Reid Harding Frequently Asked Questions Do I need prior experience to attend this course? Before enrolling in this course, you must demonstrate proficiency in belaying with an ATC/belay plate or GriGri. Additionally, you should have some outdoor climbing experience and be comfortable leading NZ grade 15 routes outdoors. If you have any doubts about meeting these prerequisites, please contact us by phone or email before finalising your booking. How many people will be on my course? We believe that smaller groups are more effective for this type of training. Therefore, we maintain a maximum client-to-instructor ratio of four clients to one instructor. Do I need my own trad gear to attend this course? OENZ provides all the essential technical equipment needed for our climbing courses, including traditional (trad) gear. Gear List What is the minimum age? The minimum age to attend this course with a parent or guardian is 14 years old. To attend without a parent or guardian, the minimum age is 16 years. Does this trad climbing course have minimum numbers? Yes, to proceed with the course at the advertised price, we require a minimum of two people. If we do not meet this minimum, we will not cancel your course; instead, we will offer you the following options: a) A shorter private course with one-on-one tuition. With just one participant, we can cover the course content more quickly, requiring fewer days. b) You can choose to continue the course as planned and cover the additional cost. c) We can transfer you to another course. 2-day trad climbing course photos Customer Reviews “The course content & place was fantastic. Appreciate the individualized considerations and recommendations as the course progressed” David Lee “Great instruction, very through, so much knowledge yet relaxed” Lucy, Canterbury, NZ “A great course, really fun + I feel confident and safe to go out and lead some trad” Toby Scott “Excellent course, you’ll gain knowledge and confidence for trad and other outdoor expeditions.” Summer Rowe “The instructor was fantastic, professional yet fun and engaging. It was awesome to get the base knowledge to climb independently.” David, New Zealand “Alan and Francis were both fantastic instructors and partners on the 2-day private trad/aid climbing course that Alan put together with me. I had a few specific skills I was hoping to learn and on short notice Alan found ways around what was initially rainy weather to build a course that hit those objectives and was ridiculously fun as well. Big thanks to OENZ and Alan. Definitely a highlight of my trip here, and after two days with him I feel confident in independently developing the skills he taught to begin climbing trad.” Joshua Montgomery Still Have Questions? Get in touch with our team — we’re happy to help you prepare for your outdoor adventure. Contact Us
