Intro to Trad

Build the Skills and Confidence to Start Trad Climbing

Intro to Trad

Build the Skills and Confidence to Start Trad Climbing

Learn essential skills to safely and confidently climb trad routes

Receive personalized instruction with a low participant-to-guide ratio

Gain valuable mentorship and practical insights from local experts

Experience hands-on trad climbing in a real rock environments

Trip Description

This course is designed to help you build the confidence and skills needed to lead traditional routes safely and independently. You’ll learn essential techniques like gear placement, anchor building, and trad-specific lead strategies—all under the guidance of experienced, ACMG-certified instructors. Along the way, you’ll gain a professional introduction to the exceptional trad climbing in the Bow Valley.

This intermediate-level course is ideal for climbers who already lead sport routes and are comfortable with rope handling and belaying. It’s designed for those looking to transition into traditional climbing—not for beginners or those new to climbing. Regardless of the grade you climb, the focus is on building solid trad-leading skills, not on difficulty. If you’re a sport climber ready to expand your skill set into placing gear and building anchors, this course is for you.

A complete gear list and equipment rental information can be found here.

Itinerary

Throughout the course, you’ll develop a strong foundation in traditional climbing. Starting with the fundamentals of protection, you’ll practice gear placement, build reliable anchors, and progress from top roping to mock leads—and eventually, leading your own trad pitches. Along the way, your guide will cover key skills like route assessment, rack organization, and safe leading techniques specific to trad climbing.

By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make sound decisions and safely tackle a variety of trad routes. Climbing locations will be selected by your guide based on weather, accessibility, group ability, and learning goals.
Saturday
  • Meet at Wasootch Slabs parking in Kananaskis at 8:00 am (MST).
  • Review safety and basic climbing skills.
  • Learn to place and clean gear placements.
  • Progress from top rope, to mock lead to leading .
Sunday
  • Meeting point will be shared on Saturday (day 1).
  • Review lessons from previous day.
  • Further practice on gear placements .
  • Continue progression from mock lead to lead.

Location

Learn traditional climbing fundamentals in the rugged beauty of Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.

Located in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Kananaskis and the Bow Valley feature diverse rock formations with a lifetime’s worth of limestone and quartzite. From beginner-friendly crags to challenging multi-pitch routes, you’ll find a variety of terrain perfect for learning the fundamentals of traditional climbing.

Guides & Staff

Our team of ACMG-certified guides offers a 6:1 participant-to-guide ratio, ensuring personalized coaching. With extensive local knowledge of the Bow Valley, our guides will also recommend routes and crags to help you continue developing your skills after you complete the course.
kris-irwin
Kris Irwin
Kris is an ACMG Alpine Guide and lives in Banff with his wife Ellen and their daughters Aria and Annie....
kris-irwin
Kris Irwin
Kris is an ACMG Alpine Guide and lives in Banff with his wife...
Learn More

We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips

Registration Status:

Open

Details

* Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

Risks include but are not limited to: ​Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks,  rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls. 

General Hazards

Risks include but are not limited to:Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities

Rockfall and Icefall

Risks include but are not limited to:Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) 

Falls and Belaying

Risks include but are not limited to:Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.

Communication and Rescue

Risks include but are not limited to:Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

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