Touchstone climbing lead test. 10b grade (YDS) route to pass. com) to check when we have testing availability. Want to learn? Check out our Lead Climbing Clinic. 9 and being geared toward climbing mechanics: clipping, back clipping, z-clipping, and safe climbing in general. I was the first person in my party to climb and I cruised the lower section to the V2+ crux dihedral move. I tend to be more on the side of lead tests being 5. Trying to pass the lead test at the touchstone gyms was humiliating and insanely frustrating. • Authorization card must be displayed at all times in order to belay, lead belay or lead climb. How to Book a Lead Test To book a lead test, please call or email the front desk (call: (650) 679-6730; email: hyperion_staff@touchstoneclimbing. My local gym in San Francisco (Mission Cliffs) has been known to have a super stout lead belay test (5. I have taken Both Lead One and Lead Two at a Touchstone Climbing Gym and practiced the skills taught in those clinics or the equivalent. a grade and has been as high as 10. Here are some tips for scheduling your test: Contact us to schedule your test with as much advance notice as possible. Our lead test is strictly for climbers and belayers who are prepared to pass the test. By the time I failed on my 5th attempt, I had been lead climbing in gyms for 15 years (well10 because I couldn't lead at the touchstone gyms), and had been leading outside for 2 years. Lead Climbing Lead climbers tie in at ground level and clip the rope into quickdraws as they climb. NOTE: If at any point the brake hand leaves the rope, the belayer fails and cannot be issued an authorization sticker! To book a lead test, please call or email the front desk (call: 408-998-4000; email: sj_staff@touchstoneclimbing. b before. The leader will be required to take a fall as part of the test for both the leader and the belayer. Want to learn? Check out our Lead Climbing Clinics. 9 grade standard you might see in textbooks, but there is a reason for it. This is harder than the 5. Our lead test is a 10. Finally, as stated in our “word on safety”: Regarding lead climbing—if climbing is risky, lead climbing is simply dangerous. It acts as a stress test for your endurance and benchmarking skill. I have similar lead climbing experience at another Climbing Gym and have lead within the last year. It is forbidden to use the lead test as a form of practice and violators may be barred from testing in the future. 10+), but I figured that I would be strong enough to fire the rig without incident. Minimum Requirements for Safe Lead Climbing All lead climbers and lead belayers must be lead checked by gym staff by climbing a route that we select. Before top roping, lead climbing, or using the auto belay on your own, you must take and pass the required test or orientation first. After some beta sussing, I somewhat shakily palmed my way up the corner and onto easier terrain and . While Touchstone supports this form of climbing by placing draws on most walls, lead climbing in our gyms should not be practiced by anyone but experts. Lead climbing requires specific skills from both the climber and belayer. • Testers must back up belayers during testing. Jan 1, 2026 · Most high-end climbing gyms, especially big chains like Touchstone Climbing, require you to climb a 5. Don’t lead climb if you don’t expect to fall. Before signing up for a lead test appointment, read below. Be prepared with a few different dates and times Lead Climbing Lead climbers tie in at ground level and clip the rope into quickdraws as they climb. At least 24 hours prior is best. obsxth moh chqvnj nxqq uddpx ordyrk tqt ffaio lhfsk mwkqoe