Trad Climbing Online Course

Trad Climbing Course

Are you ready to move beyond sport climbing and step confidently into the world of traditional climbing? Our Trad Climbing Course on Mountain Skills Online combines expert instruction with practical exercises, tailored feedback, and real‑world climbing context to help you develop the skills, judgement, and independence needed to lead and protect on trad routes.

Why This Course Matters

Trad climbing requires more than strength — it demands understanding rock, placing protection, building secure anchors, and moving safely over complex terrain. Whether you’re aiming to lead your first trad pitch or tackle multi‑pitch routes with confidence, this course gives you the tools and insights to make sound decisions and climb with competence.

Learn from Two World‑Class Guides

This course is delivered by Libby Peters and Dave Rudkin, whose combined experience in guiding, coaching, and climbing makes them exceptional mentors for trad climbers at every stage:

Libby Peters — IFMGA Mountain Guide, Mountaineering Instructor & Author 

Libby is one of the UK’s most respected mountain professionals. She’s an IFMGA‑qualified Mountain Guide and WMCI (Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor) with decades of experience guiding and instructing in Wales and worldwide. Libby is also the author of Rock Climbing: Essential Skills and Techniques, the official handbook of Mountain Training’s climbing scheme — a definitive reference recommended for climbers from beginner to advanced.  

Her teaching draws on a lifetime of climbing on a wide range of rock types and terrains, with a focus on clear technique, sound judgement, and risk management that climbers can apply independently in the mountains.

Dave Rudkin — IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide and Mountaineering Instructor 

Dave brings a wealth of real‑world experience from guiding and teaching across UK cliffs, alpine crags, and big‑mountain environments. He specialises in tailored instruction that builds climbers’ confidence and competence, whether on sea cliffs, mountain crags, or multi‑pitch routes.  

Learners benefit from his patient, engaging style and emphasis on critical thinking — helping you not just do skills, but understand why and when to use them. Previous students highlight Dave’s ability to prepare climbers for independent adventure and long‑term progression.  

What You’ll Learn

This course covers the core techniques and judgment calls you need to climb trad safely and effectively:

• Gear selection & placement — choosing and placing nuts, cams, and slings that give secure protection

• Anchor building — equalisation, redundancy, and safe belay setups

• Leading & seconding techniques — from movement and rope handling to efficient communication

• Risk assessment & decision‑making — understanding terrain, rock quality, and objective hazards

• Multi‑pitch strategy — sequence, rope management, and transitioning between pitches

Each lesson includes explainer videos, practical exercises, and real case examples, with opportunities to upload your own videos and receive personal feedback from Libby and Dave.

Who This Course Is For

• Climbers ready to lead trad routes safely 

• Those transitioning from sport to traditional climbing

• Climbers aiming to develop a deeper understanding of gear, anchors, and movement on rock

• Anyone seeking a structured, expert‑guided path to trad confidence