Top Rope Solo Course

• Mendip Hills
• Rock Climbing

Unlock Climbing Freedom with Our Top Rope Solo Course.

Ever wanted to climb when your partner isn’t available? Do you dream of logging more mileage on rock, refining technique, or projecting routes independently? Our Top Rope Solo Course is designed specifically to teach you the essential skills and safety protocols for climbing on your own using top rope solo techniques.

Top rope soloing (TRS) is a complex system that allows experienced climbers to ascend routes with the security of a top rope, but without a belay partner. While incredibly rewarding, it carries inherent risks if not learned and practiced correctly. This is not free soloing; it involves specialised gear and redundant systems for safety.

Don’t rely on vague online tutorials or guesswork. Invest in professional instruction and learn to top rope solo the right way.

Who’s the course for:

This two day course is designed for experienced climbers. Participants should have a minimum of 2 years experience climbing outside on Trad and Sports climbs. Be proficient in building solid traditional anchors, competent in abseiling techniques & have mature attitude towards risk management and safety protocols.

What’s included:

This comprehensive course covers the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for safe top rope soloing:

• Theory and Risks: Understanding the fundamental principles and inherent dangers of top rope soloing.
• Gear Selection: Choosing appropriate ropes, harnesses, helmets, and specialised TRS devices (e.g., progress capture pulleys like Petzl Micro Traxion, Sulu Go, Taz Lov3 and others).
• Anchor Building for TRS: Constructing bomber, redundant anchors suitable for unattended top rope solo set-ups (SERENE/ERNEST principles).
• Rope & Edge Protection: Rope Protectors and Re-belays.
• System Set-up: Correctly rigging the rope, primary progress capture device(s), and crucial backup systems.
• Transitions: Safely transitioning from setting up the system to climbing, and back to descending or abseiling.
• Ascending Techniques: Efficient movement while managing the rope and devices.
• Backup Systems: Implementing and understanding various methods for redundancy (e.g., backup knots, secondary devices).
• Problem Solving & Self-Rescue Basics: Addressing common issues like stuck ropes or device malfunctions.
• Risk Management: Assessing environmental hazards, gear limitations, and personal readiness.
• Stick Clip Soloing: How to safely stick clip solo to rig a Top Rope Solo on a sports climb.
• Emergency procedures.

Our focus is on creating reliable, repeatable, and safe top rope solo systems.

Full course information, itinerary and kit list will be sent once the booking has been confirmed.

Our 1 day Stick Clip Solo course covers just the skills for how to ascend and set up sports routes and rig for Top Rope Soloing.

If you would like to book this course for a small group please do get in contact.