If you get the chance of doing some lead climbing then go for it. It is a totally new game not having a rope in front of you. But go for easy climbs first, we always top rope new people to lead climbing so you will need two belayers, the top rope is kept slack so you get the feel for leading but still have the safety of a top rope until you build up confidence. We have not done any climbing down in your area so we don't know what you have down there.

__________________
Nikon User
Beacon Images