Outdoor Climbing - Curbar (Intermediate & Experienced)

Event Suitability – Intermediate & Experienced Climbing Evening

This event is suitable for: 

• Experienced Trad climbers.
• Climbers who are ready to take the next step beyond beginner outdoor sessions and gain more experience climbing outdoors in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

To attend, you should:

• Be able to lead belay confidently (If you can't lead belay, message the event leader to confirm whether you can be accomodated based on the experience level of other attendees)
• Be comfortable climbing indoor routes graded 5A or above
• Be either already leading trad routes (placing gear) or looking to second a route with traditional protections outdoors. 

We’ll typically climb in pairs or small groups of three, depending on the number of attendees and the routes available and will match less experienced climbers with more experienced Trad climbers. Climbing in threes allows more opportunity for rest, observation, and learning.

What is Seconding?

If you're seconding a route, you'll follow the climber who led the route up (see below for explanation on leading), placed gear (nuts, cams, quickdraws, etc.) and attached the rope to the gear they placed. In a group of three:

• The first second climbs the route with the rope already in place, primarily focusing on movement and getting used to the rock. This climber does not remove any gear, but will need to unclip the rope and re-clip as they pass any protection.
• The second second follows after and removes the gear (nuts, cams, quickdraws, etc.) that was placed by the leader. This is a vital role and a great way to build an understanding of traditional protection placements.

Seconding allows you to experience outdoor climbing with less pressure than leading while still engaging with gear and rope systems. It’s an ideal way to build outdoor climbing experience before leading your own routes.

What is Leading?

This person goes up the route first, placing protection or gear (nuts, cams, quickdraws, etc.) to protect themselves as they ascend.

Once they reach the top of the route, the lead climber's job is to: 

• Build a secure anchor using fixed gear (like bolts) or traditional protection (nuts, cams, etc.)
• Set up the system so others can safely climb the route on top rope (Not to be confused with top roping indoors)

After the anchor has been built, the role of belaying switches from the person on the ground, to the person who lead the route from the anchor they have built at the top of the climb. 

When second climbers ascend the route on top rope:

• They are protected from above by the rope, so any fall is very short.
• They climb to the top, and top out rather than being lowered back to the ground. 

This event is ideal if:

• You’re a competent indoor lead climber looking to gain real rock experience
• You’ve seconded or climbed outdoors before but want to develop further
• You’re looking to bridge the gap between indoor (or sport climbing) and outdoor trad
• You’re happy to take turns belaying, seconding, or leading based on the group setup

This event is not suitable for absolute beginners or anyone who has not yet learned to lead belay.

If you’re unsure whether this event is right for your current level, just drop me a message, we may have some flexibility depending on group dynamics and experience levels.

Location

Curbar offers a variety of climbs, and the team will ensure that you both enjoy your Trad Climbing experience but are also challenged. There may also be the opportunity to abseil/rappel down a selected route where a dedicated Group Abseil point will be established. 

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our events.

Image credits - all images provided by OutdoorLads members. OutdoorLads has permission to use them.