It is up to the staff’s discretion whether you pass or fail.  Climbers must come prepared with prior experience/knowledge to take Volta’s Lead test. To ensure the skills are embodied and not being performed, no refreshers or practicing on the day of your test. 

Requirements to take Lead Test: 

• Must be Volta Top Rope Belay Certified

• Must be a confident 5.9+ climber

You must be competent in the following skills:

• Properly put on a harness with buckles doubled back and be able to check someone else’s harness. 

• Correctly tie into the harness using a figure eight follow-through knot with a follow-up double-overhand knot. Correctly tie someone else’s figure-eight follow-through knot with a follow-up knot. 

• Correctly load the gri-gri and attach to harness, per manufacturer recommendations

• Good rope management.  Demonstrate flaking the rope and show knowledge of what z-clipping and back-clipping are.

• Proper commands and spotting the climber up to the first clip.

• Demonstrate proper lead belay technique (feeding and taking in slack, etc).

• Active vs Stationary belayer (belayer is close to the wall the first 3 clips, etc).

• Show excellent communication with your climbing partner.

• Demonstrate proper clipping techniques (3-point clipping, the rope should remain between the climber and the wall at all times, no skipping quickdraws, etc).