Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Rock Climbing at Smith Rock
DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THE SPRING OFFERING OF THIS COURSE HAS BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR REVISED DATES.
The Lead Climbing: Sport course is geared towards students who have some top-roping experience and want to start tying into the sharp end. The class focuses on the technical skills needed to safely set up for, climb, and take down single pitch, bolted routes. You won't learn how to climb crazy hard climbs in this class, but you will gain the skills and confidence needed to climb easy and moderate sport routes.
Course Format
For this course, The Mazamas partners with The Source climbing gym to use their space and one of their professional instructors. Students will meet there for two gym sessions where they will first learn the basics of lead climbing, then practice on their indoor walls.
There is one field session, which takes place over a Saturday and Sunday out at Smith Rock State Park.
| Skills Taught |
| Understanding gear needed to lead a sport route |
| Setting up for leading a sport route |
| Safe clipping practices and techniques |
| Communication specific to lead climbing |
Course Details
Schedule
Lead Climbing: Sport occurs throughout the year, with one session in the fall and one or two in the spring/summer.
Check back in January for updated information on the spring and summer sessions.
Time Commitment/Duration
Low– This course involves attending two indoor gym sessions, and one full weekend.
Tuition
2020 Tuition– $140 for Mazama Members and $185 for non-members.
Gear
Required Gear– All individual climbing gear (harness, shoes, helmet, etc.).
Gear specific for lead climbing (like quick-draws) will be provided by the course instructors.
Skills Taught
Lead Climbing: Sport teaches basic skills needed to lead climb bolted sport routes.
Prerequisites
To be accepted into this course, applicants should meet these prerequisites:
Age 18 or over
Have experience climbing outside
Can climb 5.9 in a variety of settings (various gyms, or a gym and an outdoor area)
Have knowledge comparable to ICS graduate, specifically can clean a fixed anchor
Application Process
Applicants will submit a form with a basic climbing resume and information about prior climbing and climbing education experience.
Registration is open for one week, then the leaders of the course will take one week to make acceptances.
Requirements
To complete this course, students need to attend the opening gym session, one practice gym session, and the entire weekend field session.
Photo: Jon Skeen
