Develop your climbing skills and techniques in Snowdonia

PERFORMANCE LEAD CLIMBING

This course is all about going climbing and gaining valuable time on rock. The aim of the course is to develop your climbing skills, techniques and gain a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of climbing.

This two day immersive course will develop and build on skills acquired through your climbing to date and will go through all the additional skills and techniques required to safely climb at a variety of venues such as sea cliffs and mountain crags.

Our instructors will take you out to a variety of venues where you will climb pitch after pitch improving the movement, efficiency, gear placement, belay building and stance management as well as basic rescue techniques.

Run by a highly experienced, qualified, insured and first aid trained Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor.

Climbing harnesses, helmets and all safety equipment provided.

Small group ratios enable you to benefit from the wealth of experience and expertise of our instructors.

Plenty of time on the rock at different venues with progression throughout the course giving you lots of hands on experience to ensure all the learning goals are consolidated.

Courses run in North Wales' iconic Snowdonia National Park, with a variety of crags to choose from to suit you and your climbing ability.

Bespoke dates available throughout the year, perfect for single pitch climbers looking to consolidate and progress their climbing.

Cost is £250 per person.

If you are a member of the Austrian Alpine Club you may be able to claim a grant of £125 towards this course or £185 if you are a youth member. See grant information below.

Course Dates

10-11th May 2025

21-22 July 2025

Please email using the link below to book.

If you would like to organise bespoke dates please drop us an email using the button below.

By purchasing a space on this course you are agreeing to the Booking Conditions . Please read them as your participation on the course will be subject to them.

Email Adventure Awaits

What will the course cover?
- Planning - How to use a guidebook, choosing suitable venues and routes, restricitions that can affect climbing
- Equipment - What gear to take relative to the route and the crag that you are climbing at.
- Strategy - How to break down a climb to understand crux or cruise sections and the implications for gear placement.
- Climbing Skills - Choosing the easiest line and maximising good position for gear placement and improving your efficiency.
- Technical Skills - Building on your current skills and improving which can include anchors that are in reach and out of reach including hanging belays, gear placement, ropework, belaying with two ropes, stance management, abseiling.
- Emergency Procedures - Identifying hazards, decision making and managing risk, basic rescues, what to do in the event of an incident, managing common problems, how to get help and the role of the Mountain Rescue.
What do I need to bring?
- Climbing shoes (we supply all the other safety equipment)
- Any of your own equipment that you regularly use such as harness, belay plate, nuts and cams, quickdraws, rope etc.
- Food, snacks and water for the day
- Clothes appropriate for the forecast weather (We will advise on this when the course is booked)
What experience do I need?
You should have some experience of lead climbing outside to get the most out of this course. As a rough guide you should of:
- Climbed outdoors on at least 20 routes
- Belayed on at least 20 occasions
What dates are the courses?

10 - 11 May 2025

21-22 July 2025

To book please email Adventure Awaits using the contact button below.
How do I apply for an Austrian Alpine grant
Here’s how AAC(UK) members can apply for a UK training grant
- Find the form - Grant forms and details about eligibility, can be found on the AAC(UK) website: https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/activities/Training.php
- Members can enquire about eligibility for a grant by completing a grant form and sending it to the AAC(UK) Office, (or email the office initially)
- The Office will confirm eligibility and confirm level of grant
- After the course, the provider will send the Office a list of member participants who completed the course.
- The office will contact member participants to ask for bank details
- The grant is then paid on course completion.
- Grant form can be downloaded here

By purchasing a space on this experience you are agreeing to the Booking Conditions. Please read them as your participation on the course will be subject to them.

Dean Russell is an active trail runner , climber and mountaineer with over 20 years experience. He is a qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and has the British Athletics Fell Leadership in Running Fitness (FLiRF) award. Dean has climbed all over the world, enjoying long adventurous routes in the mountains such as North face of Piz Badile (TD)but is equally comfortable on sea cliffs, boulders, sports crags and quarries with ascents such as Bloody Sunday, Pembroke (E4, 6A) Honk Down and El Chorro (7c). You can read his blog here.