Black Mountain Crack School

The Black Mountain Crack School course is a weekend learning opportunity that weaves together two main focuses: traditional climbing and crack climbing technique.

Through a mixture of discussion and hands-on practice, we will focus on the skills needed for the aspiring trad leader. We will explore traditional climbing gear, develop an eye for proper placements, build and evaluate gear anchors, and discuss lead climbing strategies. We will work our way toward the sharp end with individual mock leads, where we can build confidence in our technique and placements with the safety and security of a top rope belay. 

Participants will also gain a solid foundation in the technique necessary to tackle finger, hand, and off-width cracks along with the accompanying footwork to excel in cracks of all sizes. Black Mountain holds Vermont’s highest concentration of beautiful splitter granite cracks, affording us the opportunity to rack up mileage and gain experience on a variety of different crack sizes. 

Over the two day course we will cover the following:

  • Review of knots and commands

  • Equipment selection 

  • Racking gear

  • Base and top managed belaying

  • Following and removing trad gear

  • Gear placement and anchoring

  • How to make tape gloves

  • Crack climbing technique

  • Mock leading single pitch trad climbs

  • Cragging area ethics and safety concerns

What’s Included

  • AMGA Certified Instructor

  • Personal Climbing Equipment (Harness, Helmet, Shoes, Belay Device)

  • Group Climbing Equipment (ropes, anchors, etc.)

What’s Not Included

  • Meals/snacks

  • Water

  • Transportation

  • Accommodations

  • Guide Gratuity

*Be sure to wear/bring appropriate clothing to spend the day outside. We recommend long pants for safety and bug protection, comfortable shoes for the hike in, and rain gear in case of a stray shower. 

Recommended Experience:

  • Familiarity with basic climbing knots

  • Ability to top rope climb 5.8

  • Solid top rope belaying experience

  • Basic top rope anchor building 

  • Suggested prerequisite courses are Anchor Building, Top Roping, Gym to Crag, or a similar foundation of knowledge

Course Fees: $575

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