So I Want to Start Climbing, but Where Do I Begin?
With confusing terms like cam, beta, and trad and intimidating pictures of climbers upside down on massive limestone cliffs, climbing can be an overwhelming activity to start to break into! Lucky for helping people get into climbing is our specialty here at Lone Star Mountaineering. At LSM, we believe in helping folks build a solid set of foundational skills and knowledge on which to serve as a launching pad for a lifetime of safe and fun climbing memories!
Follow along to see our recommended progression through our courses, where each level builds on knowledge gained from the previous level, from absolute beginner to trad leader! This is just our recommended path, if you are more experienced and want to skip a few steps scroll on down and pick up where you fit in. There is no one-size-fits all approach to skill development, and we want to be here with you each step of your way!
**When learning climbing skills, seeking qualified instruction is of utmost importance. Whether it is with us at LSM or another outfit, please make sure to research the qualifications of the folks you are learning from. Sure, learning from your buddy might save a few dollars, but the knowledge gained from a qualified instructor will be invaluable as you continue along your climbing career!**
Beginner
Whether you have climbed a bit or never climbed before, this is the place to start! In this course, you will be introduced to basic climbing skills and have a chance to put them into practice. We will learn proper belaying technique, essential knots, climbing techniques, climbing etiquette, necessary gear, and recognizing and mitigating climbing hazards.
If you have started climbing in a gym, this is the course for you to get going in your outside climbing! Gyms are a wonderful place to meet people, gain strength, and learn techniques. In this course, we will take that experience and learn how to transfer that to real rock. We will learn about climbing hazards and risk management, using bolts to build safe anchors, rope management, climbing etiquette, and more!
Though we won’t include it in our recommended progression, we highly suggest that you consider fitting a Leave No Trace Awareness Course into your schedule. As a beginner climber, learning how to recreate responsibly and ethically while climbing outside is key to not only helping our environment and keeping it beautiful, but also to maintaining land access!
Intermediate
After you have your basic knowledge and foundational skills, it is imperative to learn how to build strong and secure anchors. Building anchors correctly and safely will take your climbing to the next level and will give you the confidence to start to take your friends and family climbing with you! We will learn how to evaluate anchor strength, use both natural and artificial anchors, add on some commonly used knots, and have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of anchors.
Phew, you have learned a lot of skills! Now let’s put those skills to use with a day of climbing. Our one-day adventures are tailored to your goals. You will be able to put your skills that you have acquired thus far into practice under the supervision of a certified instructor. We can also choose objectives and routes in alignment with your goals and you can gain experience following traditional routes, cleaning sport routes, and rappelling.
Advanced
Trad, or traditional climbing, is the art of placing your own protection as you move up the wall, without the use of bolts. Trad climbing is a must for those interested in going into the mountains, climbing big walls, or just wanting to expand into a new genre of climbing! In this course you will learn how to place and evaluate gear, lead belaying techniques, building anchors with trad gear, rope management, and basic rappelling techniques. Though leading is not guaranteed, you will have the opportunity to practice placing gear in a safe environment. If you and your instructor are comfortable by the end of the day, you may have the chance to take the sharp end for yourself!
5) 1 Day or 2 Day Rock Climbing
If you have made it this far, congratulations! You have learned incredibly valuable skills to take you to new heights (literally)! After taking our Intro to Trad Course, it is an awesome time to get out on another climbing outing to practice what we learned. We recommend either a one- or two-day adventure to dial in your trad climbing technique and to start leading some routes on your own. Whichever you choose, you will be an active part of the planning process so you can see what goes into planning a climbing trip and practice selecting routes.
Congratulations, you have made it through our climbing course curriculum and have emerged a safe, competent, and ethical rock climber ready to lead traditional routes on your own and have the confidence to take your friends and family climbing by yourself! Though you made it to the end, climbing is a vast and ever evolving activity and continuous education is key, even for us instructors. If you have topics you want to review, practice, or learn, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we would love to get back outside with you!