Building Safe Anchors and Top Ropes
Lake District - Level 2 : Instructional Course
Learn how to build safe belays and become more independent at a single pitch crag.
We'll cover all the fundamentals to help you become more independent outdoor rock climbing. Top-roping is a great way to access climbing outdoors safely, but you'll need to know how to set up a top-rope and the risks and hazards that are related to this. You'll learn how to identify secure anchors, place trad gear such as wires and cams and then be taught the best rope techniques to link these anchors together to create a safe main anchor. Personal safety is key, as is anchor and rope choice, as well at the route you've chosen to climb suited to the level of ability to those in the group.
Course Highlights
Coaching on 'trad' climbing leader skills and techniques in the Lake District
Multi-pitch rope work and belay techniques
Build confidence and become more independent in your lead climbing abilities
Expert Guiding and coaching from experienced ISM Guides
Is The Course For Me?
This course would besuited to someone who has climbed outdoors a number of times, top-roping and following friends, family or partners up single or multi-pitch routes. You want to learn more about ‘trad’ climbing in both the placing gear and mechanics around ‘trad’ gear, belaying a lead climber, ropework & building safe anchors so that you develop your trad climbing skills and knowledge to help you become more confident and independent moving forward.
Meeting point: Great Langdale
Please note: A minimum of four participants/bookings is required for this course to run. If fewer than four places are booked, we will discuss alternative dates or options with you.
Building safe anchors and top ropes
Skills covered on the course include:
- A refresh of your skills and the level of your ability
- Preparation of equipment, traditional gear and rope choice
- Mental preparation
- Using the full range of natural protection
- Route choice and route finding
- Stance organisation
- Safety equipment
- Belaying a lead climber
- Taking out and placing ‘trad’ gear, taking out stuck ‘trad’ gear placements
- Descending safely
- Crag awareness
- Avoiding potential problems (such as rope jams, protection falling out)
- Emergency procedures (when things don’t go quite as smoothly as planned) such as abseiling past a knot, hoist systems, escaping the system, evacuating an injured climber
- Judgement in rock climbing (perhaps the biggest safety factor!)
Course Dates & Booking
Please call for availability
Meet the Team
Steve Monks
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
A well known international climber, Steve has climbed and explored all over the world.
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Matt Stygall
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Originally from the flatland of Norfolk, Matt soon escaped to the highlands of Scotland, to cut his teeth on the Scottish winter climbing scene there. He then worked full time at Plas Y Brenin in North Wales…
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
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Paolo Intropido
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Born in NW Italy in a region surrounded by mountains, Paolo started to ski and trek as a kid, always wanting to explore 'beyond the next hill'.
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All Vital Information
Short introduction to vital information. This is everything you need to know about attending this course, links to other pages
All Vital Information
