Intro to Trad

Traditional, or “Trad” climbing, involves placing your own protection as you go. This opens up a whole new world to explore, and enables you to climb thousands of routes that go without bolts whether it’s in Colorado or elsewhere. Learning to trad climb is exciting, fun and very rewarding as you learn to diligently problem solve. Once you’ve begun to master movement in outdoor climbing, trad offers an additional puzzle to figure out along your way - how do I stick these things in the wall? We’re talking trad gear; nuts, cams, slings, ropes and other tools of the trade! Racking gear is pretty satisfying, and we all love to jingle our way up the wall.

Join our AMGA guides and instructors in Denver, Golden, and Boulder for a two-day course that will help you build a solid foundation in the art of traditional gear placement, anchor building, multi-pitch logistics, terrain management, basic self rescue, and more. We’ll help equip you with the tools you need to tackle any “problem” you encounter on a trad climb - how to identify cracks and constrictions, place gear, read wandering routes, and properly protect them. What’s a twin rope? Why does this rope say it’s only a half rope? We’ll answer these questions and more.

A big part of a successful trad climb is building simple, safe, and efficient anchor systems for you and your partner. If you’ve done any sport climbing, you’re well familiar with bolts and how convenient it is to anchor to them. But in traditional “clean” climbing, there are none! We’ll work together to demonstrate multiple types of climbing anchors that you can use and adapt to your style, and develop that keen eye for choosing great belays.

Like your first time outdoor climbing, trad climbing can be intimidating! But Golden Mountain Guides is excited to help you crack the code and get you out there plugging gear.