This is an advanced climbing class.  All the fundamentals of lead climbing will be addressed with a strong emphasis on Single Pitch traditional and sport climbing.  Topics include gear (ropes and pro), the dynamics of lead falls, solid gear placement, rope management, anchors, and the mental as well as physical aspects of leading. This class is for every competent climber. Even if you do not plan on leading, you will learn and understand the dynamics of lead climbing, and it will make you a more knowledgeable and capable second and lead belayer.  There will be no “true” lead climbs during the class – all lead climbing experiences in this class will be mock leads protected with a top-rope.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

AMC Outdoor Rock Climbing School, AMC Anchors School or equivalent experience, and significant Outdoor rock climbing experience. This includes:

• Demonstrated solid outdoor top-rope rock climbing experience, including standard climbing calls and partner checks.
• Top rope climbing, at a minimum, at the 5.8 level outside or 5.9 in the gym.
• Competency with current belay (PBUS) and rappel techniques, including extended rappel with an autoblock backup.
• Demonstrated competency with basic climbing knots and hitches, including figure 8, friction hitches (autoblock, klemheist, prusik), clove hitch, muenter hitch.
• Demonstrated competency with standard top-rope anchors, including application of open and closed cordelettes, pre-equalized anchors (e.g. 2 and 3 point cordelette), self-equalizing anchors (magic X, quad) and extended anchors utilizing bolts, gear placements, and natural features.

Basically, you need top know how to top-rope real rock at a moderate level using current "best practice" techniques and processes (not just what you learned from friends) and be competent at evaluating and building solid, timely anchors.  You will utilize this foundation to learn the fundamentals of lead climbing, including actual mock leads requiring you to use trad gear, as well as provide a lead belay for a partner; the mock lead means you will have a top-rope backup throughout this school.

Class Schedule for the February 2026 Lead School:

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE CLASS:

The following will not be needed the first night. You may want to listen to the gear lectures before making purchases.

• Harness, belay device, at least 3 locking carabiners
• Helmet – mandatory for all on-rock sessions
• Additional soft gear
  • 2 x 20′ slings (untied length), preferably different colors
  • 10′ sling (untied length) or 48" sewn runner
  • *Nut pick
  • *Quickdraws  – at least 5 per person
  • *Personal anchor (if you have one)
• *All pro that you own, which may include cams, hexes, wired nuts, Tri-cams, etc.
• Hiking boots or shoes with stiff soles, and climbing shoes for Saturday.  Climbing shoes for Sunday.
• Belay gloves, or work gloves, for Saturday.
• Eye protection (sunglasses, glasses, safety glasses) for Saturday.  If you do not have eye protection, or do not want to use your own glasses, the club will have safety glasses available to use.

*If you don’t own this stuff, DON'T run out to the store.  You can borrow it from generous volunteer instructors and find out what you like before you buy it.

Cost:  $150.

• To enroll in this school, you must be a current member. Join the AMC.
• If you are interested in attending the Lead Climbing School, please join the waitlist below.
• If selected for enrollment, you will be notified by email with a link to to the class registration page.  You must remit your payment of the $150 class fee to secure your spot on the class roster within the time frame specified.  Payment may be made by credit card or personal check.
• Refund policy: The cost of the class is fully refundable if you decide to cancel; however, due to the cost of transaction fees, you are strongly encourage to defer to a later date rather than reguest a refund if possible.  Please note that the AMC Membership Fee is non-refundable.

Waiting list for the Fall 2025 Lead Climbing School

For any questions or additional info contact Michellsey Benally at email: [email protected].

Please be sure to add [email protected] to your contacts to ensure it is not flagged as spam as you will only have a short window to complete your payment.