ROCK 6: Traditional Lead Rock Climbing

ROCK 6: TRADITIONAL LEAD ROCK CLIMBING free training offers a combination of instruction, demonstration, and guided practice with a professional MAA instructor taught outdoors in a small group setting. Completion will prepare you for success as an advanced level traditional rock climber and help you be better qualified to attend MAA events. We'll do the following:

• Skills and ability required for lead climbing

• How best to select, place and assess gear on lead

• Belaying a leader

• Belaying followers

• Strategic racking, clipping, and cleaning

• Review building multi-point belay anchors

• Rappelling from an anchor

RECOMMENDED FOR: All current MAA members who have attended the companion online training and/or have completed the prior level outdoor training, or have appropriate experience on their MAA profile.

EVENT LEADER: Darren Shutt, darren@mountainascent.org

DURATION: 8 hours

MEET: At the Donner Lake Overlook parking lot, near the rainbow bridge, old Donner Pass road, just beyond Sugar Bowl, off Exit 174.

WHAT TO BRING: All items on the gear list below

PERSONAL GEAR: Members are encouraged to use your own equipment. If you're missing something, loaner gear may be available. Please let the instructor know if you need something.

CLOTHING

• Wicking, breathable base layer

• Insulating, weather-resistant mid-layer

• Sunglasses

• Sun hat or covering

EQUIPMENT

• High energy food, snacks and drinks

• Water bottles or container system

• Sunscreen

• Small personal first aid kit

• Optional items for consideration: camera, small knife or multi-tool, bandana

CLIMBING GEAR

• Boots or approach shoes

• Rock shoes*

• Harness*

• Climbing helmet*

• 4 locking carabiners*

• 2 tied or sewn runners, 48"*

• Auto-locking belay device*

• Prusik cord

• Any of your own rock protection and runners

*If you are without some of this important safety gear, it may be available for loan upon prior request, first-come, first serve. Please contact the event leader.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This event is free of charge. MAA receives no direct financial gain for organizing and supporting this event. Donations are not solicited on this event, nor is any exchange of money a requirement for participation.

• This event is open to all Apex, Base, and free Associate members - paid membership is not a requirement of attendance. 

• MAA is a 100% volunteer-run, federal and state recognized 501(c)7 not-for-profit membership organization and does not seek or realize a profit from organizing this event; all membership benefits, liability insurance, website, database, administrative costs and all expenses are supported solely through membership, not event fees.

• MAA event leaders are experienced members who are board-approved and volunteer to host the event as a representative of MAA, but are not operating as a guide or compensated as a guide - all participants on the event share responsibility for the safety, decisions, and actions of the group.

• Accordingly, the physical demands, required skills or technical terrain of some events require that we screen participants; individuals should join the waitlist to be considered for RSVP. The experience, skills and fitness in the MAA membership profile will be used to determine the suitability of each individual to the demands of that particular event.

• Participant safety is our top priority. Many circumstances such as mountain conditions, weather, or subjective hazards may necessitate changes to the published itinerary, including cancellation.

• As a private, non-commercial group we operate within the posted group size limits and regulations for this area.

• All MAA members are taught and practice Leave No Trace principles to be good stewards of wild places.

• The event begins and ends at the trailhead. MAA does not insure ridesharing or other travel arrangements and bears no responsibility for them. Carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among individuals.

• MAA event leaders carry communication devices and a medical kit; The primary event leader at a minimum has current wilderness first aid and CPR training as well as MAA policy training.