New to Climbing? Start Here.

Never climbed before, or feeling a little rusty? No problem. Our Beginners Course is designed to get you comfortable on the wall, understand the equipment, and most importantly, enjoy climbing from the very first session.

We’ll take you through everything you need to know at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to practise and ask questions.

You’ll get hands-on experience with:

• Staying safe in the climbing environment

• Getting familiar with the equipment and using it correctly

• Simple climbing techniques that will help you move more efficiently

• Top-rope climbing

• Bouldering

• Using auto-belays with confidence

By the end of the session, you should feel much more at ease in the climbing centre and have a solid foundation to continue climbing independently.

Session details

• Time: 10am–2pm

• Price: £80 per session

• Minimum booking: 2 people

• Equipment: Everything you need is included

• Locations: Energise York or Big Depot Leeds

• Other venues and times can be arranged — just ask.

Ready to Lead?

If you’re comfortable top-roping and want to take the next step, our Learn to Lead Climb Course is for you.

Lead climbing can feel like a big jump at first, but with the right guidance it quickly starts to make sense. We’ll break everything down into manageable steps and give you the chance to practise the skills you’ll actually use at the wall.

The session covers:

• Managing the rope while lead climbing

• Clipping safely and efficiently

• Lead belaying

• Communication between climber and belayer

• Building the skills and confidence needed to progress with lead climbing

The aim isn't just to run through a list of techniques. We want you to understand why you’re doing each step and leave feeling more confident about putting those skills into practice.

Session details

• Time: 10am–2pm

• Price: £80 per session

• Minimum booking: 2 people

• Equipment: Everything you need is included

• Locations: Energise York or Big Depot Leeds

• Other venues and times can be arranged on request.

Let's Get You Climbing

Whether you're stepping onto a climbing wall for the first time or you're ready to move on from top roping, we'll help you build the skills and confidence to enjoy climbing more.

Get in touch to arrange your session.

Try Climbing on Real Rock

If you’ve enjoyed climbing indoors and fancy trying something completely different, or you’ve never climbed before and want to give it a go, an outdoor climbing day is a great way to get started.

Climbing outside is different from climbing at an indoor wall. You’re working with natural rock, finding your way up real routes and spending the day outdoors in some of the best climbing areas around Yorkshire and the Peak District.

Our outdoor climbing experiences are suitable for complete beginners as well as people with some previous climbing experience. We’ll explain what you need to know, help you get comfortable with the equipment and give you plenty of time to actually climb.

The focus is simple: learn some new skills, have a good climb and enjoy being outside.

What Happens on an Outdoor Climbing Day?

Every group is a little different, so the day will depend on your experience, the venue and the weather.

For a first outdoor climbing experience, we can cover:

• Getting familiar with your climbing equipment and how to use it

• Basic rope skills and climbing safety

• Moving efficiently on natural rock

• Climbing a selection of suitable outdoor routes

• Learning how to approach and work out a route

• Having a go at abseiling with your instructor

• Building confidence while climbing outdoors

• Understanding how climbing at a real crag differs from an indoor wall

You don't need to know how to tie climbing knots or belay before you arrive. We'll teach you the relevant skills during the session.

Outdoor Climbing Locations

We climb at a range of venues across Yorkshire and the Peak District. The location isn't chosen at random — we'll consider the experience of your group, what you'd like to do and the weather when deciding where to go.

Some of the crags we regularly use include:

Almscliff Crag · Brimham Rocks · Wainstones · Scugdale · Hathersage · Strange Edge · Burbage · and other local crags

If you have a particular venue in mind, mention it when you contact us. We can discuss whether it's a good option for your group.

Outdoor Climbing Experience Prices

Half Day — 3 hours

• £195 for up to 3 people

• £50 for each additional person

Full Day —  6 hours

• £295 for up to 3 people

• £75 for each additional person

Group size: Up to 6 people per instructor

Equipment: All technical climbing equipment required for the session is provided.

Typical start time: 9am, although alternative times can be arranged where possible.

What Should You Bring?

Outdoor climbing means being prepared for changing conditions.

We recommend bringing:

• Comfortable outdoor clothing that allows you to move freely

• Waterproof clothing

• Warm layers

• Suitable footwear for walking to the crag

• Food and plenty of water

• Sun protection on warmer days

We’ll keep an eye on the forecast before your session. A bit of typical British weather doesn't necessarily mean a cancelled climbing day, but if conditions become unsuitable or unsafe, we'll discuss the options with you.

Climbing Outdoors with Under 18s

Under 18s are welcome, but a parent or legal guardian must be present throughout the session.

They don't have to take part in the climbing, but they must remain with the group.

Take Your Indoor Climbing Outside

Already climbing indoors and wondering what it's like on real rock?

Our Improver Rock Climbing Course is aimed at climbers who have some experience but want to become more comfortable and capable outdoors.

Outdoor climbing introduces a whole new set of things to think about. You’re dealing with natural features, route finding, different types of rock and rope systems that you may not have used indoors.

Rather than giving everyone exactly the same lesson, we'll find out what you've already done and use the day to work on the areas where you want to improve.

What Can We Work On?

Depending on your experience and what you'd like to achieve, the day can include:

• Improving your belaying skills at the bottom and top of the crag

• Learning how to set up ropes safely from different positions

• Tying in correctly and using different belay devices

• Selecting suitable routes for your ability

• Organising yourself and your equipment at the crag

• Improving climbing movement and technique on natural rock

• Making better use of slabs, cracks, edges and other rock features

• Developing skills that can lead towards trad or sport climbing

• Learning to abseil independently with a Prusik backup

• Outdoor bouldering where the venue is suitable

We can also spend time on the areas you personally find difficult. If there is a particular skill you're struggling with indoors or something you've always wanted to learn outside, let us know before the day.

Who Is the Improver Course For?

This course can be a good fit if you:

• Regularly climb indoors and want to make the move outdoors

• Have tried outdoor climbing but don't yet feel confident

• Want more practice with ropes and belaying

• Want to improve your outdoor movement skills

• Would like to understand more about climbing at a natural crag

• Are considering progressing towards trad or sport climbing

You don't need to arrive with a list of things you want to learn. Tell us where your climbing is currently at and what you'd like to work towards, and we'll plan the day from there.

Yorkshire & Peak District Climbing Venues

We have access to a wide range of outdoor climbing areas throughout Yorkshire and the Peak District, including:

Almscliff · Brimham Rocks · Wainstones · Scugdale · Hathersage · Strange Edge · Burbage · and other local crags

We'll choose the most suitable venue based on your experience, the type of climbing you'd like to do and the conditions on the day.

Improver Course Details

• Duration: Full day —  6 hours

• Price: £295 for up to 3 people

• Additional participants: £75 per person

• Equipment: Technical climbing equipment provided

We don't expect perfect weather every time we go climbing. We'll work with the conditions wherever possible and only cancel when the weather makes the session unsuitable or unsafe.

Ready to Get Outside?

Whether you're completely new to outdoor climbing or you've already spent plenty of time on a climbing wall, there's always something different about climbing on real rock.

Tell us a little about your experience, who you'd like to climb with and what you'd like to get from the day. We'll help you choose the right venue and session.