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Atlantic Climbing School’s instruction curriculum is specifically
designed to mirror the progression that many of today’s
most skilled and experienced climbers followed in their own
climbing development. From their first exposure to the sport
in a “top rope” setting, to following
an experienced leader as a “second”
on longer climbs, and ultimately becoming a solid leader
themselves, these experts developed their skills incrementally.
In our view, three important benchmarks or levels of competency
highlight this systematic progression:
Level I Top Rope competency
Level II Second competency
Level III Lead competency
Our instruction curriculum presents a continuum of courses
designed to facilitate a novice’s progression through
these three competency levels. Each level consists of a series
of courses – one building upon the other – aimed
at helping a client achieve that particular level of competency.
This inclusive curriculum design allows a client to “jump
into” the continuum at any given point, assuming they
make a candid assessment of their existing knowledge and skill
level. Each level also includes a practice component that
requires a significant commitment on the part of the client
to repeatedly practice and ultimately master the skills and
techniques outlined in a particular competency level.
Additionally, our instruction curriculum includes Specialty
Instruction courses that highlight popular topics like aid
climbing, big wall climbing and adventure racing.
 We all started somewhere, and for most of us, it was
top roping – roped climbing distilled down to its essential
elements. Before you can move on to
the higher competency levels, a climber should, in our view,
first master all aspects of top roping – doing so builds
a strong foundation upon which the next, more complex levels
depend.
The focus of the top rope continuum is to take an inexperienced
client and help them through the process of becoming competent
in all aspects of top roping. The specific courses that address
each benchmark along the top rope continuum are highlighted
below. Clients may start at any point along the continuum
depending upon their experience and mastery of the skills
outlined in the Top Rope Competency Objectives.
Top Rope Competency Continuum
See where you fit in the continuum, then select the
appropriate course.
First exposure to the sport –
usually light on instruction since everyone is a little anxious
at first, which means information retention tends to be at
its lowest. At the end though, you’re hooked. Courses
1-4 (Experience Curriculum)
Time to learn. Roll up your sleeves and
focus on the basics, you know, the stuff (and much more) that
you were told during your first exposure to the sport that
you immediately forgot when it was your turn to climb. Equipment, belaying, anchors, rappelling, climbing
movement; all of these are covered in-depth with the focus
on taking the time to make sure you “got it.”
Ideally, you leave prepared to climb with more experienced
climbers in a top rope setting. Course
5
I want to be independent. So you’ve
been top roping with others more experienced and knowledgeable
then yourself, but they always end up doing everything: setting
up anchors, making decisions on belay positioning, etc. Now
you want to be like them. OK, so where are the gaps in your
learning: Anchors? Top belay considerations? Whatever they
are (or if you just haven’t been able to connect with
more experienced climbers), it’s time to get focused
instruction so you can be independent. Course
6 (and sections of Course 5 in some instances)
Climb, Climb, Climb. It’s on your
shoulders now – the proverb “practice makes perfect”
never rang more true. Get out and top rope as often as you
can, everywhere you can. Master the set-ups and improve your
climbing technique, moving steadily up the difficulty scale.
Do this, and we’ll be seeing you at the next level.
Top Rope Competency Objectives
Listed below are the specific skills and knowledge you should
acquire to become “top rope competent” –
all of the items listed are covered in the Top Rope Competency
curriculum. If you already have some top roping knowledge and
skills, use this list to identify gaps in your learning –
then let us know and we’ll customize any of our courses
to fit your particular needs.
- Know how to properly select, size, put on, and care for
a harness.
- Know how to select, coil, and care for a climbing rope.
- Know how to tie and when to use a figure-eight follow
through knot.
- Know how to set-up (ATC) and back up (belayed, fireman’s,
auto block) a rappel.
- Know how to rappel competently on varied terrain (double
strand, single stand).
- Understand the components of the belay.
- Know how to bottom belay with an ATC and a GriGri.
- Know how to top belay with an ATC, GriGri and a Munter
Hitch.
- Know the signals used to communicate in bottom belay and
top belay situations.
- Know how to tie and when to use a girth hitch, figure-eight
on a bight, clove hitch, water knot, stopper knot, and a
double fisherman’s knot.
- Know what constitutes a good anchor. Understand the concepts
of vectors, pulleys, multiplication of loads, equalization,
and prevention of extensions.
- Demonstrate the ability to properly use and connect natural,
fixed, and removable anchors for bombproof toprope anchor
systems (both top belay and bottom belay situations), including
the use of extensions, and the proper use of carabiners.
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic climbing movement
(edging, smearing, jamming, laybacking, stemming, bridging,
chimneying, and finding/using rests).
- Know what equipment to purchase for top roping.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the dangers inherent in
top roping.
- Know how to select and manage a safe top rope site.
- Demonstrate a conservative approach.
- Know how to use a guidebook.
- Understand the YDS for rating difficulty and the grading
system for rating time required to climb a particular route.
- Be able to identify various cliff features.
- Understand cliff etiquette.
- Have a general sense of climbing history.
- Know the various types of climbing that exist.
- Know what the Access Fund is and what it does.
- Know what resources exist for learning more.
- Understand what’s the next step in the progression.
Top Rope Competency – Course Descriptions
| Course
5 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| This course starts to build
the foundation of knowledge and skills that you will need
to climb outdoors in a top rope setting.
Equipment, belaying, anchors, rappelling, and climbing movement
are all covered in detail. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| This course expands upon
the material covered in TR I and includes additional content
that you will need to climb outdoors
in a top rope setting. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| This course expands upon
the material covered in TR II and includes additional
content that you will need to climb
outdoors in a top rope setting. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course
6 |
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| Course Length: |
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Two Days (7.5 hours each) |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| Focus on the specifics of
anchor building for a top rope setting. By the end, you
will be building bombproof anchors an expert will admire. |
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| Rates: $220 each for three people, $260
each for two people, $450 for a private course |
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So, you’ve mastered the top roping arena
have you? Could you set-up a bombproof anchor if we gave you
a meager selection of nuts and cams? Expertly assess a new
top roping site for safety, access, anchors, and routes? Climb
solidly, smoothly, and in control on intermediate ground?
Good. That’s only a partial list, but you sound like
you really are ready to start on the path to the next competency
level -- becoming a competent second. This is not a job to
be taken lightly – once you become the leader you’ll
appreciate this statement even more.
The focus of the seconding continuum is to assist a client
through the process of becoming a competent “second”
to a lead climber. The specific courses that address each
benchmark along the second continuum are highlighted below.
Clients may start at any point along the continuum depending
upon their experience and mastery of the skills outlined in
the Second Competency Objectives.
Second Competency Continuum
See where you fit in to the continuum, then select the appropriate
course.
Tricks of the Trade. Give your leader confidence
that your belay can be trusted, stuck gear can be retrieved,
and that you can hold up your end of the bargain. Learn seconding
skills like how to climb with a pack, aid through difficult
sections, and follow pendulums and traverses. Course
7
The leader’s hurt. Don’t shake
in your boots – learn some of the solutions. Course
8
Climb, Climb, Climb. Sound familiar? It’s
now up to you to log a ton of mileage following a solid leader,
mastering your seconding skills and observing him or her deal
with life on the sharp end. Take plenty of notes – soon
enough, that’ll be you up there pilgrim.
Second Competency Objectives
Listed below are the specific skills and knowledge
you should acquire to become “second competent”
– all of the items listed are covered in the Second
Competency curriculum. If you already have some seconding
knowledge and skills, use this list to identify gaps in your
learning – then let us know and we’ll customize
any of our courses to fit your particular needs.
- Understand the difference between top roping and multi-pitch
climbing.
- Know how to safely approach a day at the crag (how to
plan for the unexpected).
- Know how to read a guidebook/topo.
- Develop basic route finding skills.
- Know what constitutes a solid belay on a multi-pitch route.
- Understand the fall factor and what happens in a lead
fall.
- Be able to provide a smooth, competent belay to the leader
using an ATC.
- Know when (and when not) to use a GriGri for belaying
the leader and how to use it properly.
- Know how to belay a leader with a Munter Hitch.
- Know how to tie and when to use the figure eight on a
bight and the clove hitch.
- Stance management: know how to keep the rope and the gear
organized and how to be as comfortable as possible (including
on small stances and at hanging belays).
- Know how a second can assist the leader to see gear placements
and avoid route-finding errors. Know when to offer words
of encouragement and when to shut up!
- Know the signals (verbal and non-verbal) used in a multi-pitch
environment (including potential dangers).
- Gear removal – know what to do when things get stuck.
- Know how to efficiently re-rack gear (including double-length
slings, cordellettes).
- Know how to aid through difficult sections.
- Know how to follow a traverse.
- Know how to follow a pendulum.
- Know how to climb with a pack.
- Rappelling – be skilled with pre-rigged rappels,
auto block and fireman back-ups, cow’s tails, daisies,
multiple rappels, and how to rappel in a storm, and with
an injured partner.
- Develop basic self-rescue skills (like ascending a rope,
escaping a belay, and rappelling with an injured partner).
- Know how to choose a safe, competent partner.
- Know what resources exist for learning more.
- Understand what’s the next step in the progression.
Second Competency – Course Descriptions
| Course 7 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| This course starts to build
the foundation of knowledge and skills that you will need
to be a competent second to a lead climber on multi-pitch
"trad" routes. Belaying the leader, belay stance
management, gear removal and racking, multiple rappels are
all covered in detail. |
|
| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
| |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
|
Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
|
3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| This course expands upon
the material covered in SI and includes additional content
that you will need to be a competent second to a lead
climber on multi-pitch routes. Aiding through difficult
sections, following traverses and pendulums, climbing with
a pack, more on multiple rappels – all are covered
in detail. By the end, you should be ready to follow a
competent leader with skill and confidence. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course 8 |
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| Course Length: |
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Two days (7.5 hours each) |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| You’re seconding an
overhanging pitch and fall off, swinging out into space
with no chance to get back to the rock. What to do? Learn
some basic skills to help you in situations like this
and many others so you are prepared for the unexpected.
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| Rates: $220 each for three people, $260
each for two people, $450 for a private course |
 Enough of following in someone else’s
wake – although climbing as a second can still be plenty
exciting, someone must go first. It’s time to learn
what you need to know, muster up some nerve, and launch out
onto the lead. Unless you’re a Hydra, all the hats you’ll
have to wear as a leader (route finding, placing and rationing
protection, looking out for the second, arranging belays,
managing risks, etc.) could get mighty confusing, so lets
sort it out step-by-step. Forget difficulty ratings for now,
you need to learn how to lead safely: when to step on the
throttle, and when to reel it back in, calmly and in control.
There’s a lot of work to do, so let’s get at it.
The focus of the Lead continuum is to assist a client through
the process of becoming a competent “lead” climber.
The specific courses that address each benchmark along the
lead continuum are highlighted below. Clients may start at
any point along the continuum depending upon their experience
and mastery of the skills outlined in the Lead Competency
Objectives.
Lead Competency Continuum
See where you fit in to the continuum, then select the appropriate
course.
The Sharp End. What’s this, no rope
from above? Welcome to the machine. Being out on the lead,
"the sharp end" as it’s known, is a whole
different enchilada – like the difference between being
a passenger and a driver. Set the mystique aside and dissect
the beast. Course 9
Avoiding trouble. Go beyond the basics.
Know how to handle the inevitable crisis – a poorly
protected pitch, an injured partner, or a stormy retreat.
Remember, that guy Murphy was a genius: everything that can
go wrong, will go wrong. Why not be ready? Course
10
Climb, Climb, Climb. You've got to want it
– without consistent practice and real in-the-trenches
effort, it’s all just a pipe dream. But get to the point
where you’ve mastered all of this stuff and you’ll
be ready to take it on the road: the world will be your oyster.
Good luck, stay safe, and send us a postcard once in awhile.
Lead Competency Objectives
Listed below are the specific skills and knowledge you should
acquire to become “lead competent” – all
of the items listed are covered in the Lead Competency curriculum.
If you already have some leading knowledge and skills, use
this list to identify gaps in your learning – then let
us know and we’ll customize any of our courses to fit
your particular needs.
- Know what equipment to purchase to create a standard leader’s
rack.
- Know how to choose a climb and assess its equipment needs.
- Know how to organize a rack of gear for the lead.
- Know what the fall factor is, what impact force is, and
how to minimize both.
- Demonstrate solid gear-placement skills.
- Be able to anticipate direction of pull.
- Be skilled in the art of clipping.
- Know how to ration gear on the lead.
- Be skilled in fixed-gear assessment.
- Know what rope drag is and how to minimize it.
- Have a fluid, controlled climbing style – be able
to climb intermediate routes in absolute control and without
falling (recognize that the ability to move smoothly without
falling is the leader’s first safety system). Know
when to back down.
- Know how to climb with your eyes first (and how things
can be distorted from below).
- Develop a sense of mental cunning.
- Develop the ability to approach a lead in stages, constantly
reassessing the situation -- monitoring your strength, the
protection you still have available, and the distance to
another stance.
- Be skilled at route finding on steep, complex terrain
with few clues. Know how to use a topo/guidebook.
- Develop a nose for danger. Be able to judge terrain, evaluate
hazards including loose rock, weather, other parties, and
your second’s limitations.
- Know how to protect the second on traverses and pendulums.
- Know how to retrieve more gear while on the lead.
- Develop the ability to climb boldly – knowing when
and how.
- Know how to aid through difficult sections and how to
pendulum.
- Be skilled in the art of falling. Know when falling is
acceptable and when it must be avoided.
- Know when to retreat (bail) and the options that exist.
- Become skilled in all aspects of rappelling: how to join
two ropes, rope-tossing techniques, how to ensure an easy
pull (last-man-down techniques), how to deal with stuck
ropes, and how to be efficient on multiple rappels.
- Know how to escape a belay, implement an assisted raise,
and rappel with an injured partner.
- Become an expert at crafting a solid belay from a meager
rack.
- Know how to haul a pack.
- Be skilled in all aspects of belay stance selection and
management.
- Know how to belay the second directly and with a redirected
belay. With a Munter, ATC, GriGri, Reverso, and a GiGi.
- Be trained in Wilderness First Aid.
- Understand the difference and the techniques involved
in sport leads vs. trad leads.
- Know how to improvise a stick clip.
- Know what tramming is and when to use it.
- Know how to safely clean top anchors.
- Understand the terms flash and redpoint.
- Know the differences between climbing on various types
of rock (granite, sandstone, and limestone).
- Understand the issues related to new routes (cleaning,
installing fixed protection).
- Still be climbing, alive and well, at age 70.
Lead Competency – Course Descriptions
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| Course
9 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
|
3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
|
15 |
|
|
|
| This course starts to build
the foundation of knowledge and skills that you will need
to be a competent lead climber on multi-pitch "trad"
routes. Equipment selection & organization, protection
placements, belay stance management are just a few of the
items covered in detail. |
|
| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
| |
|
| Course Length: |
|
7.5 hours |
| When: |
|
Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
|
3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
|
15 |
|
|
|
| This course expands upon
the material covered in Leading I and includes additional
content that you will need to become a competent lead
climber on multi-pitch routes. |
|
| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
| |
|
| Course Length: |
|
7.5 hours |
| When: |
|
Daily by appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
|
3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
|
15 |
|
|
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| This course expands upon
the material covered in Leading I & II and includes
additional content that you will need to become a competent
lead climber on multi-pitch routes. Poorly protected pitches, hauling
a pack, aiding through difficult sections, retreat techniques
are just a few of the items covered in detail. By the
end, you should be ready to lead easy to intermediate
routes with skill and confidence. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course
10 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
|
15 |
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| Know how to escape a belay,
haul a second, or rescue an injured leader. Learn the
skills you’ll need to be prepared for the unexpected.
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
These topic-specific courses provide in-depth instruction
in popular climbing techniques and climbing-related activities.
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| Course
11 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
|
15 |
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| Dreaming of big walls? Start
by learning the mechanics of aid climbing and how to keep
the rope moving on steep, complicated terrain. From simple,
“French free” techniques to full-on aid, learn
the fundamentals of leading and following aid pitches,
skills that are often mandatory on big walls. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course
12 |
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| Course Length: |
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7.5 hours |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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3:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| Learn the tricks of the trade
-- the skills needed to tackle the big stones of the world,
including alternative jugging techniques, hauling, how
to set up a portaledge and keeping organized. |
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| Rates: $110 each for three people, $130
each for two people, $225 for a private course |
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| Course
13 |
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| Course Length: |
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Two days – 7.5 |
| When: |
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By appointment |
| Maximum Ratio: |
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4:1 |
| Minimum Age: |
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15 |
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| Signed up for the Pathfinder
Challenge or the Hi-Tec Series but don’t know how
to rappel or ascend a fixed line? This two-day course
will teach you the fundamentals so you can keep your team
moving toward the finish line. Bring your entire team
and we’ll work through a supervised mock race set-up
so you’re confident on race day. |
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| Rates: $180 each for four people, $220
each for three people, $260 each for two people, $450
for a private course |
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