Black Diamond Tradathon 2017 – Magaliesberg

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Trad climbing is arguably the most rewarding form of rock climbing. The beauty of trad is the amazing depth and breadth of experience that it offers.  You are also not limited to hard grades in order to do something “worthwhile” and there is always opportunity for new routing or any level of adventure which you choose.

And yet, trad does not have a large following. This is due, in part, to the cost of the additional gear, but probably more due to the perceived risk that is involved and the lack of opportunities for adequate coaching for beginners. Before the arrival of sport climbing, all climbers did an “apprenticeship” during which they learned the ropes under the practiced eye of a more experienced climber. Bolting has made climbing much more accessible and caused the climbing community to grow at a much faster rate than this traditional apprenticeship model can cope with. As a result trad often remains inaccessible.

So this is your opportunity – a gathering of all levels of climbers to share their skills, to learn from each other and to enjoy a day on the crag.

Enjoy the best that Mhalabatini in the Magaliesberg has to offer followed by a Spit Braai and social at Bergheim.  There will also be a cash bar and slide show.

Experienced trad climbers: pull in and do some classic routes; climb with your own partner or find a new climbing partner on the day. Climb at your own grade, or share your favorite route with a beginner.

Competent sport climbers: sign up for the “Intro to Trad Leading” workshop run by qualified SAMDT instructors or team up with some experienced “tradders” and follow some routes.
Beginner climbers: never climbed before? Sign up for the “Learn the Basics” morning workshop and climb with an experienced person in the afternoon.

Date & Time: 25th March 2017 from 8h30am – late

Evening Spit braai:  R135 per person

Intro to trad. following: This workshop is aimed at novices who have never climbed trad. and would like to learn something about the procedures when following a leader, before embarking on a proper route. It will cover twin rope management, tying on at a stance, gear removal etc. Half day of instruction – gratuity to the instructor R200

Intro. to trad leading: This is a “taster” workshop. There is more information to be covered than a single day’s instruction can cater for so this work shop will focus on safely placing and removing trad. gear while on lead. This workshop is suitable for climbers who already lead competently on sport at grade 18. Full day of instruction – gratuity to the instructor R400

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: All participants are expected to be self-sufficient bar the workshop participants who must provide the minimum of harness, screw gates, twin rope belay device, helmet, and rock shoes. All participants must provide their own refreshments on the mountain.

PLEASE NOTE: The use of a helmet is compulsory.

We have Black Diamond and Beal T- Shirts and hoodies available to participants at the event at a discount.

Black Diamond Raffle Prize
We are raffling a Black Diamond Trad Rack consisting of Black Diamond C4 Camalots size 0.3 – 3, a Black Diamond Stopper Set, a Black Diamond Micro Stopper Set, 2 Neutrino Rack Backs, a Bandolier Sling and a Nut Tool worth R15 000.00

The raffle costs R100 per ticket, 150 tickets only; maximum of 10 tickets per one person.

Winning number will be drawn at the Evening Braai.

There will be numerous spot prizes given out at the braai in the evening for the best dressed couple; the most impressive send of the day; the most encouraging spirit of the day – and anything else that the organizers deem fit !

WAIVER: Some aspects of mountaineering and related activities, including but not limited to technical rock, ice, and snow climbing, are potentially hazardous and dangerous. Any person using our equipment in any manner or participating in this event is personally responsible for learning the proper techniques involved, and assumes all risks and accepts full and complete responsibility for any and all damages and injury of any kind, including death, which may result during this event. Books and catalogues can help, but they are no substitute for personal instruction by a qualified person well versed in all appropriate safety techniques.

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