Today we have the ultimate trad climbing crash course for you. In six episodes you will learn everything you need to know to go from indoor climbing to trad multi-pitch lead climbing.
In a total of six episodes, all aspects of trad climbing are examined: from rope handling and material placement to belay construction and rappelling. The protagonists of the videos are DMM graphic designer Clare Carr and climbing instructor Alice Kerr. The following videos are suitable for people who want to get started, as a refresher course for getting back into it, but also as a guide for climbing courses.

Learning trad climbing – the overview
- Part 1: Secure with two ropes
- Part 2: Lay mobile backups
- Part 3: Build a stand
- Part 4: Lead single-pitch route
- Part 5: Abseiling
- Part 6: Lead multi-pitch route
Learning trad climbing Part 1: Secure with two ropes
In this episode, the instructor Alice explains the basics of the partner check, belaying with a dynamic belay device and the half rope technique.
Learning trad climbing Part 2: Laying mobile belays
In part 2 of this series, Alice goes over what you need for your first trad rack and how to install mobile belays in the rock.
Learning to trad climb Part 3: Building a stand
In the third part you will learn how to build a belay on a trad route and secure your climbing partner from above.
Learning to trad climb Part 4: Climbing a single-pitch route
Part four is dedicated to the first lead climb at the “sharp end” of the rope and goes into the most important points that need to be taken into account.
Learning trad climbing Part 5: Abseiling
Anyone who climbs up has to come down again at some point. Part five of the series is about abseiling and all the tricks associated with it.
Learning trad climbing Part 6: Leading a multi-pitch route
In the sixth and final episode, the aim is to implement what has been learned so far on a trad multi-pitch route. Instructor Alice explains what you should pay attention to.
That might interest you
- Wild ride: Siebe Vanhee repeats iconic trad classics in Sweden
- James Pearson Climbs Badass Trad Route - Why He's Not Rating It
- Two years after her fatal fall, Molly Mitchell returns and climbs Crank it (5.13+ R/X) Trad
Do you like our climbing magazine? When launching the climbing magazine Lacrux, we decided not to introduce a paywall because we want to provide as many like-minded people as possible with news from the climbing scene.
In order to be more independent of advertising revenue in the future and to provide you with even more and better content, we need your support.
Therefore: Help and support our magazine with a small contribution. Naturally you benefit multiple times. How? You will find out here.
+ + +
Credits: Cover picture DMM