A common path is to build a sport-climbing "rack" of a rope and quickdraws (maybe 12, of various length dogbones), and to add trad gear later. Most of the suggestions here regarding nuts and cams specifically relate to trad climbing, as the word "rack" refers to this hardware, but most beginning leaders start with sport.
Get any thick rope to start (10 mm diameter or greater), as new leaders often abuse ropes by running them over sharp edges and the like. I like camp draws (relatively cheap but still good), but there are many excellent options. |