Any suggestions for a good first ever trad lead?
I've just bought a reasonable rack and want to climb about 5.6. Any gear beta would be usefull too.

If anybody want's a good laugh (and isn't offended by profuse bad language) - I'll be up there this weekend.

Disneyland (5.6-) is practically a sport climb, it's got so much fixed gear on it. Protects everywhere, any falls would be short and generally clean, and it's a great climb. I put a first time trad leader on it before, and she did fine.

Quick question...
If you're going to attempt your first trad lead, what is compelling you to start at 5.6?

If you think 5.6 is where you want to start, I would suggest starting lower than that.

Do Bunny (5.4) which is fun and ez. Then Gelsa (5.4), which is spectacular and forces a gear anchor at the end of pitch 2. If all goes well, try Horseman (5.5) which will give you a feel for what a gunks 5.5 is like. If you feel totally solid on this, try Jackie (5.6). If you feel totally solid, then check out the 5.6 post that is still fairly fresh

Have fun, and dont get over your head

For your first lead I'd kick it down a few notches if I were you. Just work on easy climbs so you can concentrate on QUALITY gear placements first. You'd be suprised how much harder a 5.6 feels when you're fumbling with gear and then the wind picks up!

I'd suggest Easy Overhang 5.2 for a first lead. If that goes well give Northern Pillar 5.2 and Three Pines 5.3 a try next.

Daryl

FWIW: Unless there's been some serious grade inflation going on lately, Jackie was 5.5 last time I looked.

As for how hard a route to start off on ...

It depends on the climber. If this is someone who has followed on harder routes and boulders V5, then I don't think starting out on a 5.6 (especially Disneyland) is that dangerous or even that ambitious.

However, if the person in question hasn't followed 5.6 or harder yet and doesn't boulder anything in the V range, then it would be prudent to consider picking something easier than 5.6 for a first lead.

Bottom line: What can it hurt to try something VERY easy just to start off with? If the leader is feeling fine after a 5.3 or 5.4, then they can always (as Emeril says) kick it up a notch.

Spas-

Any gear beta would be usefull too.

Gear beta for climbs 5.6 and easier? Mmmmmm ... no.

At this point in your climbing career, you really want to be learning how to spot good placements and take advantage of them.

Best gear beta is to put in more than you think you will need.
Second pitch of Gelsa might be a bit much for a first time leader. Its been known to sketch out a few 5.6 leaders, although it is certainly appropriately graded.

My first gunks lead was No Picnic (5.4+). One nice thing about this climb is that there is no rope drage at all.. and the top is all jug bashing. Most other easy routes involve traversing and/or clipping long... plus it's a single pitch with an easy top anchor.... just my thoughts...