Aid Climbing & Big Walls | ClimbingTechTips

In CTT’s Aid Climbing & Big Wall series we learn how Aid Climbers ascend seemingly blank oceans of rock, and impossibly steep or imposing walls.

Aid Climbing is an advanced discipline of climbing. Before viewing this series, you should have already worked through all of our Sport Climbing, Traditional Climbing, and Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing videos. Plus our requisite Anchor Building, Belaying, and Rappelling videos.

Please attempt this technical category, one step at a time, and seek professional instruction and/or mentorship. Incremental goals lead to a lifetime of climbing memories and adventures.

Let’s get started! Our Aid Climbing & Big Walls video series is below. Be careful, and have fun!

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Please remember, climbing is inherently dangerous. Climb at your own risk.

1-Aid Climbing - General aid gear

Aid Climbing: 1. General Aid Gear

1. General Aid Gear In this video we look at the gear it takes to climb big walls using aid climbing techniques. Aid Climbing Harness -...

2-Aid Climbing - Additional Aid Gear

Aid Climbing: 2. Additional Aid Gear

2. Additional Aid Gear In this video we look at more of the gear involved in aid climbing. Personal Kit: Tape, small knife, chap stick,...

3-Aid Climbing - Basic Aid Techniques

Aid Climbing: 3. Basic Aid Techniques

3. Basic Aid Techniques In this video we review basic techniques used in aid climbing. Begin by putting on your harness and double checking your...

4-Aid Climbing - Bounce Test

Aid Climbing: 4. Bounce Testing

4. Bounce Testing In this video we explore the bounce test. Bounce testing is key to building a sequence of solid gear placements. After you've...

5-Aid Climbing - Cam Hooks

Aid Climbing: 5. Cam Hooks

5. Cam Hooks In this video we examine the various cam hooks used in aid climbing. Cam hooks are an invaluable tool when aid climbing:...

6-Aid Climbing - Jumaring Basics

Aid Climbing: 6. Jumaring Basics

6. Jumaring Basics In this video we examine the basics of jumaring. Jumaring, or “jugging”, is a means of ascending a fixed rope, which in...

7-Aid Climbing - Jumaring Over Edges and Roofs

Aid Climbing: 7. Jumaring Over Edges and Roofs

7. Jumaring Over Edges and Roofs While jugging a pitch, you will likely encounter numerous obstacles. Roofs and protruding edges are examples. When jugging through a...

8-Aid Climbing - Jumaring Texas

Aid Climbing: 8. Jumaring Texas Style

8. Jumaring Texas Style In this video we look at another jumaring technique known as the Texas style (aka frog or double leg style). Texas...

9-Aid Climbing - Backups for Jumaring

Aid Climbing: 9. Backups for Jumaring and Cleaning

9. Backups for Jumaring and Cleaning In this video we review options for backing yourself up when jumaring and cleaning an aid climb. Backing yourself...

10-Aid Climbing - Cleaning Pitches

Aid Climbing: 10. Cleaning Pitches

10. Cleaning Pitches In this video we look at the technique used to clean pitches. We start with a straightforward, vertical pitch. Attach your jumars to...

11-Aid Climbing - Racking for Aid Lead

Aid Climbing: 11. Racking for Aid Lead – Part 1 of 2

11. Racking for Aid Lead - Part 1 of 2 Racking up for an aid climb or a big wall route is no small task....

12-Aid Climbing - Racking for Lead 2

Aid Climbing: 12. Racking for Aid Lead – Part 2 of 2

12. Racking for Aid Lead - Part 2 of 2 In this video we continue to look at how to rack for leading aid climbs....

13-Aid Climbing - Leading Aid on Steeper Terrain

Aid Climbing: 13. Leading Steep Terrain

13. Leading Steep Terrain Aid climbing poses a very different set of challenges to the follower when compared with traditional free climbing. In this video...

14-Aid Climbing - How to Pendulum When Leading

Aid Climbing: 14. How to Pendulum While Leading

14. How to Pendulum While Leading When leading on aid, you may find yourself at a dead-end crack, looking at a blank wall — where...

15-Aid Climbing - How to Pendulum and Lower Out

Aid Climbing: 15. How to Pendulum & Lower Out While Cleaning

15. How to Pendulum & Lower Out While Cleaning In this video we look at how to pendulum and lower out when cleaning a pitch...

16-Aid Climbing - Aid like you Free Climb

Aid Climbing: 16. Aid Climb Like You Lead – Free Climb

16. Aid Climb Like You Lead - Free Climb In this video we discuss the benefits of integrating free climbing into your aid climbing. If...

17-Aid Climbing - Lead Ropes and Haul Lines

Aid Climbing: 17. Lead Ropes & Haul Lines

17. Lead Ropes & Haul Lines In this video we continue our discussion of the gear necessary for aid and big wall climbing. - Dynamic Lead...

18-Aid Climbing - Offset Cams

Aid Climbing: 18. Offset Placements – Offset Cams

18. Offset Placements - Offset Cams A set of offset cams can be an essential part of your aid climbing rack. They have two lobes...

19-Aid Climbing - Offset nuts

Aid Climbing: 19. Offset Placements – Offset Nuts

19. Offset Placements - Offset Nuts On aid climbs and big walls, offset nuts are an indispensable tool that turn otherwise unprotectable seams or incipient...

20-Aid Climbing - Partner Communication

Aid Climbing: 20. Partner Communication

20. Partner Communication In this video we review additional commands, specific to partner communication while aid and big wall climbing. Aiding Command #1: When the...

21-Aid Climbing - Transitions for Aid Climbing

Aid Climbing: 21. Transitions

21. Transitions In this video we discuss transitioning between leading, cleaning, and leading again while aid climbing. Organization is key to ensuring a smooth transition. All...

22-Aid Climbing - Portaledges

Aid Climbing: 22. Portaledges

22. Portaledges In this video we discuss portaledges. A portaledge is a hanging tent system designed for rock climbers who spend multiple days and nights...

23-Aid Climbing - Route Considerations

Aid Climbing: 23. Route Considerations

23. Route Considerations How do you start out your big wall or aid climbing career? In this video, we discuss how to ease into the...

24-Aid Climbing - The Mental Game of Bigwalling

Aid Climbing: 24. The Mental Game of Big Walling

24. The Mental Game of Big Walling In this video we discuss the mental aspects of climbing big walls. A common phrase you may hear...

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