Rock Climbing Lake District. Sport Climbing, Lead Climbing, Beginner rock climbing, rock climbing rescue techniques, guided climb in Lakes

Rock Climbing Instruction, Coaching and Experiences

If this is the first time you put on a harness, or you are experienced climbers wanting to review and add to your skills, The Lakes Mountaineer offers a range of courses to suit you. Climbing Lake District routes is what I am about, whether guiding, instructing, coaching or in my own time!

If you can't see exactly what you want, drop me a line and I'll put together a package tailored to your skills and ambitions.

"The course was a perfect mix of laughter, multi-pitch/single-pitch technical climbs, skills building and ultimately safety tactics. Ben is well versed in maintaining the balance between pushing you beyond your perceived comfort zone and encouraging you to a point he knew was within your means. I came away feeling more accomplished than I thought possible in four days as Ben adapted the course to each of our learning styles - Thanks Ben!" - 4-day Lead Climbing course

Rock Climbing Experiences

An ideal way for a group to try out rock climbing as part of your holiday, staycation or just because!
Single-pitch: ideal for beginner rock climbing groups to stay together, and no long walks to the crag (usually around 15 minutes) with plenty of time for everyone to try out a range of climbs and abseiling.
Multi-pitch climbing is a 1- or 2-person experience, best for those with some experience, but tuition with a highly qualified instructor is to hand if you have none.

Climbing Instruction

I offer a broad range of courses from 1-day beginners' courses to 5-day climbing courses,
including official Mountain Training courses.If you can't find what you need below, just drop me a message.

Introduction to climbing and abseiling

A perfect rock climbing course for climbing Lake District single-pitch routes. These easy access crags are great for learning the first stages of being an outdoor climber. Depending on your previous experience, you could use the day to learn:

How to belay; How to attach the equipment; How to move well on rock; Moving from indoor to outdoor climbing; How to abseil; Bouldering; and more

£180 for 1 or 2 people
plus £30 per extra person (max 8)

How to be a good Second

If you want to start climbing outdoors, the first stage is to be able to be a competent second for other lead climbers. If you have no experience, or just some indoor routes to your name, this 2-day course will teach you the necessary skills.

We will cover: Different types of belaying; Equipment; Removing and placing gear; Racking gear for the leader; Rope management; Climbing efficiently; Abseiling safety; Guidebook use; Building anchors; and much more.

2 day course - £420 for 1 or 2 people
plus £60 per extra person (max 4)

Learning to Lead

If you are a competent second outdoors, or an indoor lead climber but want to try your hand at lead climbing, this is the course for you.
During the two days we will cover: Placing protection; Rope management; Top-roping; Bottom-roping; Abseiling; Protecting your second; Gear selection; Guide book use and route reading; Belaying; Problem avoidance; Crag etiquette; How to choose the right route for you and more

Learning to Lead Sport Climbs

This 2-day course is designed for climbers who have led indoor routes and want to become competent in sport climbing outdoors.

We will cover: Guide books; Crag etiquette; Equipment; Assessing bolts; Belaying sport routes; Re-threading different lower offs; Leading techniques; Stripping routes; Problem avoidance; Problem solving e.g. what to do if you can’t finish a route when sport climbing; Oh, and we'll do some sport climbing too!

Multi-pitch climbing on Lake District Routes

Whether it is memory fade after time off climbing recently, a return after many years, or if you want to move to the next level of knowledge, The Lakes Mountaineer can help you. Popular topics to cover:

Climbing MOT - correct your habits and memory fade;
How to climb multi-pitch routes;
What to do when your partner can't follow a pitch;
Self-rescue;
How to retreat from a route.

Total £210 per day for 1 or 2 people

Complete Climbing Course

This course is for climbers who may not have much outdoor experience but aspire to lead routes. Your skill sets and experience will be built up over the five days, with the aim of getting you both leading by the end of the week. The exact mix of days will be tailored to your current skills and future ambitions, and may be adapted during the week as you progress.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Single pitch climbing: top-ropes, abseiling, placing gear.
Day 2: Multi-pitch climbing: building anchors, seconding.
Day 3: Sport climbing: rethreading anchors, problem avoidance.
Day 4: Single pitch climbing: your first trad leads.
Day 5: Multi-pitch climbing: leading skills on multi-pitch routes.

Family Adventures - Beginner rock climbing

Mini-Mountains: Abseiling and climbing in the morning, followed by a treasure hunt (navigation!) in the afternoon - for kids (7+).

Mighty Mountains: Family rock day - half a day rock climbing then half a day scrambling grade 1 - best for older kids (10+).

Mega-Mountains: Parent and child scrambling day: for the more adventurous, take on a harder scramble in the mountains.

Indoor Climbing and Coaching

Instruction: If you just want a fun experience on a wet day, or want to learn how to lead indoors, then we can provide the equipment and the know-how.
£100 for 1 or 2 people then add £50 per extra person (half-day session). Includes all equipment, climbing wall entry fees and climbing shoe hire.

Coaching: Taking a look at your climbing movement and tactics on bouldering or roped climbing.
1-to-1 indoor coaching: £80 for 2 hours; group prices available.

All indoor instruction and coaching will take place at Lakeland Climbing Centre, Kendal.