Spain·October - September

BEGINNER'S CLIMBING COURSE

An intensive 8-day course teaching you everything you need to know to become an independent outdoor rock climber.

VIEW DATES
Learntolead1

Overview

Are you an indoor climber looking to transition from the gym to real rock? Or do you already have some experience climbing outdoors and want to learn how to lead sport climbs safely? If yes, then this course is for you! Join Rockbusters in Sella ( Spain), or Leonidio (Greece), or Frankenjura (Germany), or Kalymnos (Greece), for 8 days of intensive climbing coaching focusing on learning the basics of sport climbing safety. On completion of this course you can expect to be able to go sport climbing independently anywhere that takes your fancy, practicing both top-rope and lead techniques. It’s a great opportunity to get A LOT of climbing experience, learn from the experts, meet likeminded climbers from all over the world, and immerse yourself in climbing culture for a week...

Local Partners

Meet our local partners on the Beginner's Climbing Course

Laszlo

Laszlo

Laszlo has been climbing since the age of 16, and instructing for over 10 years! He has experience in a wide range of climbing styles from Alpine mountaineering to big-wall climbing, and a lot of stories to tell of his travels.

Petra

Petra

Petra is a passionate climber and skier who guides and instructs in both sports depending on the season. A fluent English and Spanish speaker, she is the perfect person to guide this trip!

The Experience

8 days learning all the skills needed to sport climb safely outdoors.

Previous

Next

Rockbusterslearntoleadclimb

DAY 1

Arrive and meet the team

Arrive in and settle into your accommodation. Meet your guides and fellow travellers, then rest up in preparation for the next few days.

Abbe3SellaClimbingSpain2016Rockbusters.net

DAY 2

First climbing day

It's off for your first full day of climbing! You'll start by  developing the following skills:

  • How to choose the correct safety equipment, maintaining and storing it
  • An understanding the risks associated with outdoor climbing
beginnerscourseclimbing

DAY 3

Second Climbing day

Today will focus on learning the following:

  • How to top-rope and lead belay safely, with a focus on catching falls dynamically
  • Setting up top ropes.
BabakSella2019

DAY 4

More advanced skill development

Day 3 will touch on the following:

  • Lead climbing techniques
  • Cleaning anchors: how to retrieve all your gear
  • Climbing calls and communication methods
Abbe3SellaClimbingSpain2016Rockbusters.net

DAY 5

Movement skill focus

At this point in the course, we'll introduce some basic climbing movement skills, such as:

  • How to climb more efficiently - understanding the basic principles
  • Balance and supporting your centre of gravity
  • Footwork - why you need to trust your feet!
  • Special overhanging climbing techniques (drop knee, heel hook etc)
beginnerscourseclimbing

DAY 6

Technical and tactical skills

Finally, the focus will move to developing basic tactical skills, including:

  • Redpointing and on-sighting - how to approach a new climb.
  • Breaking through mental barriers.
BabakSella2019

DAY 7

Final climbing day

The final day of the course is reserved for you to get on some projects, put your new skills to the test and (most importantly) have some fun. Now is the time to ask any final questions!

Rockbusterslearntoleadclimb

DAY 8

Departure

Pack your bags, enjoy one final breakfast with the team, then it's time to say goodbye and head home. Hope to see you again soon at the crag!

The programme is very flexible to take into account weather conditions, activities level and endurance of the group.

Basecamp

Previous

Next

Climber's Accommodation

Climber's Accommodation

You’ll be staying in a shared local accommodation geared towards climbers - either a hostel, campsite, cottages, or B&B run by climbers. A private room is available for an additional fee if requested ahead of time.

What's Included

What's Included

6 full days of climbing

Individualised coaching by a certified guide

Max 5:1 client/coach ratio

7 nights' accommodation

Climbing safety equipment (except shoes + harness)

Accident insurance

What's Not Included

Food and drinks

Transportation to/from activities

Flights

Climbing shoes and harnesses

Anything not mentioned in the 'what is included' section

More Info

Climbing Skills

Climbing Skills

To get the most from this trip, you should have a minimum of 2 to 3 months regular indoor climbing experience and basic top-rope safety skills. Your coaches will build on this base, teaching everything you need to know to sport climb safely and with confidence.

Liability

Liability

Mapo Tapo selects crags and local partners with the utmost care. We can for any inaccuracies, however, accept no liability. Rock climbing is a risky sport that takes place in nature. Ultimately, you are fully responsible for the choices you make. Mapo Tapo recommends that anyone who does not have sufficient knowledge not to go outdoor alone.

Travel

Travel

Please DO NOT book your flights until this trip is confirmed. Most of our trips require a minimum number of participants to run. Wait for the status of the trip to be confirmed and for more information go to the "How it works" section

Blog Posts

Rockclimbingpackinglist

Rock Climbing Packing List: What to Bring on a Mapo Tapo Climbing Trip?

READ
PatxiUsobiaga

Training and Climbing with Patxi Usobiaga

READ
60c207a59bb2c0182220e8d3_Sportclimbingsafety1

How to sport climb safely: an interview with Maurizio Oviglia

READ

FAQs

This is a beginner's course - so no outdoor rock climbing experience is required. However, you should have at least 2-3 months regular indoor climbing experience, and be able to tie in and top-rope belay without assistance.

The maximum group size for this trip is 8, allowing you to get plenty of 1-on-1 time with your coach.

Airport transfers and local transport are NOT included in the trip price, so the best option is to hire a car. We can help organise a group carshare if required. 

A meeting point and accommodation details will be shared once the trip's departure is confirmed.

No, all skills needed to lead climb safely outdoors will be covered in this course. However, you can still book on if you already have some indoor lead climbing experience. Sport climbing outdoors requires a lot of additional skills and knowledge which are best learnt from an experienced certified guide.

Dates

Greece - Kalymnos
October 7 - 14 2023

FROM$933/pp

Spain - Sella
November 4 - 11 2023

FROM$933/pp

Spain - Sella
March 9 - 16 2024

FROM$933/pp

Spain - Sella
April 20 - 27 2024

FROM$933/pp

Germany - Frankenjura
June 1 - 8 2024

FROM$933/pp

Germany - Frankenjura
July 6 - 13 2024

FROM$933/pp

Germany - Frankenjura
September 14 - 21 2024

FROM$933/pp

BEGINNER'S CLIMBING COURSE

Spain· 7 nights

FROM$933/pp