Nelson Rocks, WV
LOCATION
experience level
Top rope climbing and belay experience required; indoor sport lead climbing and belay experience recommended
Learn to sport lead climb safely outside and you'll be able to access thousands of crags and climbs around the world. Spend a full weekend immersed in the technical skills, climbing techniques, and outdoor climbing know-how you need need to lead climb and lead belay safely anywhere you go.
This class is an SRMG exclusive, offered for the first time at a private sport crag designed for the effective instruction of hard-to-teach techniques—it's a unique chance to learn essential skills in an environment that has all the nuanced challenges of real sport routes in a comfortable, focused setting. Lodging and activities for non-climbers are available on-site at Nelson Rocks; contact us or check out their website for more details.
you'll learn
-The mechanics of lead climbing and belaying outdoors, including hanging draws, clipping, and taking and catching falls;
- Essential technical skills for outdoor sport climbing, including cleaning anchors, using a stick clip, and more;
- Techniques for smooth, confident movement on outdoor sport routes, from route-reading and sequencing to climbing and resting techniques unique to real rock;
- Crag etiquette, site safety, and management of the different objective hazards of outdoor vs indoor lead climbing.
what's included
- Personal climbing gear if needed (harness, helmet, shoes, belay device)
- All group climbing gear
- Small-group guided climbing with the region's most trusted guides
- Private camping at Nelson Rocks, WV
- Group breakfast Saturday and Sunday; group dinner Saturday
CURRENT DATES
- October 9-10
policies
ET Members and returning students—please email us at srmgpotomac@gmail.com first for your discount code!
COVID-19: We’ve been working closely with the Parks Service to ensure responsible recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re keeping classes small, limiting shared gear and touch points and increasing sanitation on those that are impossible to avoid, encouraging social distancing, and requiring masks when social distancing is impossible. Please do not come to class if you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and/or if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough/sore throat, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell; contact us and we’ll work it out.
RAIN AND CANCELLATION POLICY: Outdoor courses are held rain or shine; instructors make the final judgement on whether the weather makes it impossible to continue. As a general rule, weather moves quickly in our region, our rock type dries quickly, and climbing in light rain is both possible and fun--as long as you bring the right attitude and a rain jacket. We will notify you ahead of time if an extended bad weather forecast makes rescheduling likely, and we will pause courses in progress for thunder and lighting or for excessive heat (over 100 degrees). Rescheduled courses and classes rained out before 1pm will receive a rain check. Otherwise, come prepared to climb and enjoy the outdoors.
Courses are non-refundable within 15 days of class date unless cancelled by SRMG East for weather or not meeting minimum enrollments.