Learn To Lead Class

Looking for a greater challenge in your climbing visits to the gym?

Our Learn to Lead course will teach you the skills required to safely climb on lead.

The main focus of the class is on basic lead climbing and belaying skills with some discussion on more advanced practices. Students should be prepared to climb and belay during class. Climbing shoes, harness, ATC style belay device, rope can be provided.

***Please Note*** Completion of this course will not qualify you to safely and successfully climb lead routes outdoors. Due to the increased risk of lead climbing, this course alone may not be enough instruction for all students. See details on the supplemental course below. We can only run the class with a two student minimum. You can bring a climbing partner that has prior lead experience, or we can reschedule or refund in the case that only one student has registered.

We will teach you:

  • Belaying: how to spot and belay a lead climber

  • Leading: how to climb on the sharp end of the rope safely and efficiently

  • Clipping: how to avoid back clipping and Z-clipping, and how to clip efficiently in a variety of positions

  • Falling and catching a fall: how to safely take a fall and how to provide a soft catch

Class Details              

This class is designed for: Consistently onsight 5.10a or higher with 6+ month of top rope experience

Max ratio: 4 Climbers: 1 Instructor

Dates offered: Starts Every other Tuesday.

Class Length: Two classes spread across two weeks (ex: First class is on the first Tuesday, 2nd class is on the following Tuesday next week.) Both classes run from 6pm-10pm.

Suggested Prerequisites: Introduction to Ropes, Must have passed a MetroRock TR Belay Test

Prices (per climber): Members $80 | Non-members $100

Additional Practice: If you would like to just take a practice class, register here. The practice class is open to people who have already taken a Learn to Lead class at any of the MetroRocks, or people who have previous lead practice and want to build more confidence.

* What sets our class apart? We’re the only gym in the area offering such an in-depth course! While most gyms run a single 3-hour session, ours is split into two 4-hour classes for a more thorough, confidence-building experience.

Refund policy: If you need to cancel an event, we offer a full refund if the cancellation occurs 21 days or more before the event. If you are altering your booking within that period, we are happy to offer a credit for use at MetroRock, minus the deposit. We will not offer a refund for no-shows or cancellations within 48 hours before the event.