Roping up for the lead

A station close to the ground...

...is used to practice anchor threads

Clipping in to a bight to thread the anchor

Practicing gear placements

Lots of cracks at ground level

Launching up for the first gear lead

Spotting the leader until the first gear is clipped

Leading on gear with bolts for backup

Gearing up

A mock lead

Gear is placed on top rope for safety

Lowering off

Placing a small cam

Placing a nut

Great day!

Extending with a quickdraw to reduce rope drag

Bolts are clipped to back up the gear lead

At the anchor

Threading the anchor while top roped for safety

A cam in a flaring crack...

...sits better just a few inches left

Uneven cam lobes...

...are happier on the other side of this crack

Bomb proof nut!

Tricky gear on this route

An anchor "in series" using a sling

An anchor "in parallel" using a cordelette

A combination anchor using a webolette