Tradawan Camp
An Immersive 4-Day Course in Traditional Lead Climbing to Foster Competence & Confidence on the "Sharp End"
Camp Overview
WHAT
4 days of in-depth traditional lead climbing instruction and practice. Campsite included.
WHO
Adults graduates of our traditional anchor building coursework (or similar experience).
PRICE
$995 includes instruction, climbing equipment, group campsite, and access to camp kitchen.
GROUP SIZE
16 participants max per session. 4:1 max student:staff ratio
WHERE
The best beginner & moderate trad routes at Devil’s Lake State Park!
Gain the skills & confidence to be a self-guided traditional lead climber
Why immersive instruction?
Learning to lead on traditional gear can be intimidating! While a select few dive in with abandon, most others watch carefully from the sidelines, trying to imagine themselves on “the sharp end.” They are interested, but only in a setting that feels safe. We create that setting you’re dreaming about!
Tradawan Camp allows participants to immerse themselves in the growth process, learning and developing the technical and mental skills to comfortably take traditional lead climbing into unknown terrain.
Dedicating four days for immersive training gives you the opportunity to learn, apply, practice and repeat in a way that cements your skills and sky-rockets your confidence. By keeping your instructor, peers, and equipment constant, you minimize the distractions that come with trying to learn the same skills over 4 separate day trips. And you set yourself up for a lifetime of self-guided trad climbing.
Climbers will gain the knowledge and confidence to place solid gear on lead, build bomber lead anchors, plan efficient transitions, assess and manage risk, take safe falls, and back out of sticky situations. You’ll receive feedback and guidance from our experienced instructors in a supportive group environment.
outcomes
Throughout the week you’ll gain confidence in your gear and in your ability to make informed decisions around the risks involved with traditional lead climbing, allowing you to venture more freely into new territory. By the end of the week, most students will:
Understand the fundamental skills, equipment and processes of traditional lead climbing and belaying
Feel comfortable leading a beginner-level (5.4 - 5.6) trad route on their own (without mentor support)
Possess a working vocabulary surrounding trad climbing
Be a competent and confident follower
Manage fear on the wall, and feel (more) comfortable falling on trad gear
Have a concrete plan for moving forward into self-guided traditional lead climbing with a competent partner
“One of the best parts was the range of different styles of climbs Carrie had us set up. This was very helpful in learning to assess climbs from the ground and identify the risks involved in climbs based on apparent available protection.”
Curriculum
Each day we’ll cover topics essential to becoming a competent and confident traditional lead climber. There will be ample time to practice these new skills, and apply them on mock lead climbs and belays. Before the week’s end, you may even choose to lead your project climb!
DAY 1
Trad Climbing Fundamentals
An overview of the trad climbing process, followed by a step-wise, in-depth explanation & practice of each step of the process.
Topics include: route selection, planning, route reading, racking, belay setup & positioning, placing & spacing protection, rope management
Top-Managed Systems
DAY 2
How to build and manage top anchors.
Topics include: Setting ourselves up for a success with regards to comfort and rescue, belaying and lowering from above, gear management and efficient transitions.
Belayed Fall Training & Bailing
DAY 3
Getting comfortable with falling and discerning when to back down.
Topics include: Objective vs. subjective risk, route reading, identifying and making informed choices about risk, mind/body management, falling and catching practice (with top-rope backup), testing gear.
Synthesis & Goal Setting
DAY 4
Synthesize and practice course information on project climbs. One-on-one instructor debriefs.
“With Carrie’s guidance, I learned an incredible amount in two days and accomplished the main goal of leading my first trad route and gaining confidence to work toward more!”
Logistics
Dig Into the Details
AGES: Adults ages 18+
REQUIREMENTS: Students should have experience outdoor climbing and have completed our traditional anchor building courses (or have similar experience). Trad Camp can be an intense experience; students should be in good physical condition as we will be active 4 days in a row. Previous exposure to outdoor living (camping) is helpful, but not required.
CAMPING: Camping at our group site is included with registration. Students provide their own camping equipment. Our campsite will be available starting at 4:30 PM the evening before the first course day. We will break camp before our 8:00 AM meeting time on the final course day. Tents and camper vans are welcome, but space is limited, so please no RV’s. (There are no hook-ups.)
MEALS: Our camp kitchen equipped with two standing camp stoves, cookware, cutlery, and dishwashing station, will be available for participant use. Some groups like to collaborate on meals, while others prefer to handle things on their own. The kitchen setup offers the flexibility for both.
AGENDA: Participants will meet at the CCC Parking Lot in Devil’s Lake State Park at 8:00 AM the first course day. Those staying at the campsite can opt to carpool as desired. We’ll wrap up our field time around 4:30 PM. Curriculum and daily agenda are subject to change pending weather and group goals.
EQUIPMENT: We provide any necessary climbing equipment, though students are encouraged to bring their own personal climbing gear to gain comfort with it (so long as it is in good condition). Camp kitchen facilities are available for participant use. We will provide a camp packing list with specific equipment each participant will need upon registration.
“I really appreciated the real time feedback on protection placement strategy and spacing while climbing.”
Ready To Lead?
Sign up details
To enroll, select your date from the drop down menu and click the “enroll now” button to submit your information and deposit payment. We will then send course details and an invoice for the remaining balance.
Minimum enrollment
Each camp has a minimum enrollment of 3 students. If camp doesn’t reach the minimum 3 weeks before the first day, we will cancel the camp and issue a full refund.
Cancellations
Please familiarize yourself with our Cancellation Policies before booking. Trad Camp is a special, limited-enrollment event that will run rain or shine. Registration is non-refundable unless the camp sells out and we can find another climber to take your place.
We recommend purchasing trip insurance to avoid losing money in the event of an emergency or a change to your travel plans. Forbes has a great trip insurance search tool for finding the right option for your situation.
