Intro to Sport Lead Climbing

Articles: 4

If you’ve mastered Sport Climbing Basics as a top-rope climber, the next logical step is learning how to lead climb. In this series, you’ll learn what lead climbing is, how to belay a lead climber, how to clip quickdraws and the proper way to fall.

  • View from above as man climbs up rock face

    Skills

    Lead Climbing Basics

    62 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars

    Read about the basics of lead climbing, including what lead climbing entails, how to learn to do it and what gear is required.

  • Climber scaling a rock while one person belays and others watch

    Skills

    How to Belay a Lead Climber

    38 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars

    Learn to belay a lead climber, including how it differs from top-rope belaying. We cover gear, setup, safety, communication and technique.

  • Climber holding two quickdraws

    Skills

    Lead Climbing: How to Clip Quickdraws

    61 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars

    Learn how to quickly and efficiently clip quickdraws so you can move through the crux moves safely and securely.

  • a lead climber falling

    Skills

    How to Fall While Rock Climbing

    28 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars

    As a lead climber, learn how to manage the rope, to communicate with your belayer and how to position yourself before and during a fall.