The Irish Mountaineering Club (IMC) runs an annual programme to introduce new members to traditional (trad) climbing. The Introduction to Trad Climbing Programme 2026 (INTRO2TRAD26) will begin in late March with an online information and Q&A session for current club members.
If you are interested ensure you have paid your annual subscription for club membership.
Please note: This programme is designed for climbers who already have experience with indoor roped climbing or sport climbing and are looking to transition into or improve their trad climbing skills. It is not suitable for individuals with no climbing experience. If you are new to roped climbing, there is plenty of time to gain the necessary experience at a one of the climbing walls or with a provider before joining INTRO2TRAD26.
Programme Goal
The programme aims to equip new members with practical skills for trad climbing, including safely seconding a lead climber outdoors, removing protection, reading routes, and preparing for lead climbing.
Programme Overview
During five evening sessions at Dalkey Quarry (weather permitting), participants will experience single pitch climbing where you can walk to the base of the route and walk away from the top of the route with relative ease.
The final weekend will take place at one of Ireland’s premier mountain crags, where participants will experience a multi-pitch climbing environment. This will provide an opportunity to apply all the skills learned during the programme. Not all participants will be ready for this and the mentors will make a final decision on who is ready to take part in this. It may be the case that you need some additional single pitch experience before you venture down to Glendalough, so don’t take it personally.
Participation in the programme is also an opportunity for new members to get to know other club members and build up some climbing contacts. Following the programme you are encouraged to use your initiative to make alliances within the club and further develop your seconding and lead climbing skills by getting out as often as you can with other club members. Nobody can do this for you!
Programme Schedule
| Sat 21st & Sun 22nd March | Mentor meet to blow off the winter cobwebs and prepare for the Intro Programme | Dalkey Quarry | Invitation Only |
| Tues 31st March | Welcome to the Club & Q&A | Online | All welcome |
| Thurs 2nd April | Climb indoors, meet fellow mentors and mentees, any questions on gear etc | Dublin Climbing Center * 7pm | All welcome |
| Thurs 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th April 7th May | Intro to Single Pitch Trad Climbing & abseiling | Dalkey Quarry – Meet at car park above the playground 6pm – dark | All welcome |
| Sat 9th & Sun 10th May | Intro to Multi Pitch Trad Climbing meet Option to stay at the club hut | Glendalough upper lake car park – 10am | Invitation Only |
* please ensure that you have completed the entry procedure (registered and signed off to lead belay – not just top rope belay) BEFORE you arrive on the 31st March – https://www.dublinclimbingcentre.ie/entry-procedures/
Gear Requirement
To participate, you must have the following gear. This is mandatory for your safety and the safety of others:
- Climbing Helmet
- Climbing Harness
- Two Locking Carabiners
- Belay device (ATC type or similar, not a figure of eight or GriGri)
- Rock-climbing shoes
- Climbing Sling 60cm or 120cm long
- Prusik loop (6mm or 7mm – 1.5m-1.6m cordlet tied with Double Fisherman’s)
- Gear extractor / Nut key
- Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather on the day
- Small Backpack
Entry Requirements
IMPORTANT This programme has entry requirements:
- Be paid-up Member of the Club
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have experience lead belaying
- Be healthy and free from medical conditions that could affect climbing safety
- Read and understand the Mountaineering Ireland (MI) Participation Statement:
- “Mountaineering Ireland recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”
- Have all the required gear (see above)
Further Information
Please see the Guidelines for the Introduction to Trad Climbing Programme 2020 for information. The INTRO2TRAD26 won’t follow this completely but a lot of work went into compiling this by some of my predecessors and there is a lot of very useful information about Trad Climbing to be learned from it.
We will be using WhatsApp groups for communication purposes so please provide your full name and mobile number when applying to take part.
Please note that photographs taken during the programme may be shared on WhatsApp, our website, and social media platforms.
There is a charge of €5 per night to stay at the hut for Intro weekend.
Register
If you are interested in taking part in the programme please fill in the form below
(click here if you have issues with the embedded form)
If you have any questions email training@irishmountaineeringclub.org