• Locations: Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (HCR), Giant City State Park, Ferne Clyffe State Park
• 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM each day
• Max 3 climbers per instructor

Traditional (trad) climbing opens up a world of classic routes, remote terrain, and global possibilities—but it requires a foundation of solid technical skills and judgment. Our 2-Day Trad Course is designed to give you just that. Whether you’re new to placing gear or transitioning from sport climbing, this course builds the confidence and competence you need to lead responsibly on gear-protected routes.

Our curriculum emphasizes real-world practice on actual trad climbs. You’ll place dozens of pieces, take practice falls, build anchors, and lead actual trad climbs—all with instructor feedback and backup systems in place.

• Passive, active, and natural protection
• Evaluating gear placements under primary and secondary forces
• Recommended beginner rack overview (loaner racks available)

• Building reliable trad anchors
• Belaying directly from the master point
• Rope and runner management
• Stance management at belays

• Fall factors and forces
• Evaluating rock quality
• Recognizing good vs. bad placements

• Hands-on gear placement on mock leads
• Gear weighting and fall progression (with top-rope backup)
• Building basic anchors and belaying from above

• Leading single or multi-pitch climbs based on your goals
• Options for mock leads or actual leads
• Instructor ascends beside you for real-time feedback

All gear is double-checked by your instructor. Even when on lead, systems are set up to allow safe retreat at any time.

This course is for climbers ready to explore beyond bolts and gyms. Knowing how to climb trad doesn’t just make you a safer leader—it opens up access to some of the most iconic routes in the world and makes you a more self-sufficient climber in all disciplines.

You don’t need your own trad rack for the course —we provide loaner gear so you can test different cams, nuts, and slings before investing in your own. We’ll also provide follow-up advice tailored to your climbing goals and budget.

• Instruction by certified, highly experienced guides
• Use of loaner trad gear (rack, anchor materials, etc.)
• Detailed gear buying guide and post-course resources

• Helmet, harness, climbing shoes, chalk bag
• Belay device with locking carabiner
• Day pack, water, snacks/lunch
• Weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe hiking shoes

If you need to borrow personal gear (helmet, shoes, etc.), just let us know on the registration form.

We believe deeply in the value of this experience. Students typically place 75–100 pieces of gear during the course—often with zero failed placements. If a piece fails, you’ll understand why and remember you are backed up.  If you don’t find the course valuable, we’ll refund your tuition (minus deposit).

• Within 3 days of the course: Full tuition charged
• Weather cancellations: Determined by Vertical Voyages the morning of the event. We will reschedule if possible or issue a refund

1:1 | $900
2:1 | $650 per Person
3:1 | $525 per Person