Gym Lead Climbing | ClimbingTechTips

The Gym Lead Climbing video series shows how to advance into the next stage of roped climbing. Lead climbing involves clipping into quickdraws and anchors, as well as the excitement of climbing above your protection pieces. Here you will learn techniques for lead climbing, lead belaying, and minimizing risk.

Lead climbing is considered intermediate to advanced-level free climbing. Not free soloing, but free climbing. This means you are responsible for successfully ascending the climbing route via your own strength and skill, with a dynamic lead rope. The rope is there to catch you, should you fall. However lead climbing obviously poses greater risks than top-roping.

Newer lead climbers should watch all CTT Gym Lead Climbing videos before attempting to lead climb or lead belay. You must also be competent with all skills in our Gym Top Rope video series.

Let’s get started! Our Gym Lead Climbing video series is below. Be careful, and have fun!

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

Gym Lead Climbing: 1. Top Roping vs. Lead Climbing

1. Top Roping vs. Lead Climbing In this video we highlight one of the key differences between top rope climbing and lead climbing, which is...

Gym Lead Climbing: 2. How to Clip

2. How to Clip In this video we review proper technique for how to clip into a quickdraw while gym lead climbing. 1. Know which way...

Gym Lead Climbing: 3. When to Clip

3. When to Clip In this gym lead climbing video, we review considerations for when to clip the lead rope into protection such as a...

Gym Lead Climbing: 4. Avoid Back-Clipping

4. Avoid Back-Clipping In this gym lead climbing video, we review the importance of avoiding “back-clipping”. As part of proper rope clipping technique, the lead climber’s...

Gym Lead Climbing: 5. Avoid Skipping Clips

5. Avoid Skipping Clips In this gym lead climbing video, we review the importance of avoiding “skipping clips”. Regardless of skill level, it’s important that the...

Gym Lead Climbing: 6. Avoid Z-Clipping

6. Avoid Z-Clipping In this gym lead climbing video, we review the importance of avoiding “Z-Clipping”. “Z-clipping” can occur when clips are positioned close to one...

Gym Lead Climbing: 7. Climbing Overhangs

7. Climbing Overhangs Below are a few tips to consider when climbing overhangs: 1. Identify the sequences - Climbs are broken out into parts, each with...

Gym Lead Climbing: 8. Danger Zones

8. Danger Zones Below are the “danger zones” a lead climber should consider when climbing: 1. The first three quickdraw clips are often the most dangerous...

Gym Lead Climbing: 9. Lead Falling

9. Lead Falling Falling while on lead happens, and it’s okay! It means you’re pushing yourself. Below are a few considerations when falling while on lead: 1....

Gym Lead Climbing: 10. Lead Belaying

10. Lead Belaying Lead belaying is an advanced skill, requiring the belayer on the ground to be very in tune with the climber as they...

Gym Lead Climbing: 11. Lead Belay Stances

11. Lead Belay Stances In our Lead Belaying video, we mentioned that an ideal belay stance positions the belayer as close to underneath the first...

Gym Lead Climbing: 12. Soft Catches

12. Soft Catches Soft catches, also know as dynamic belays, are considered advanced techniques to reduce the impact of a climber when they fall a...

Gym Lead Climbing: 13. Stacking the Rope

13. Stacking the Rope As the lead climber prepares for the climb, the lead belayer should prepare by “flaking” the rope, also known as “stacking...

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