How to Safely Start Rock Climbing 

To thrive and survive outdoors, safety starts the minute you get behind the wheel. Don’t overlook the first, and most critical, rule of the road: Put on your seat belt. Beyond the drive there, an accident-free first climb up a destination crag comes down to etiquette and execution.

Planning and preparation matter, whether the route is in your backyard or at the end of an epic road trip. Here are a few best-practice reminders on how to be a good steward, plus safety keys for moving your rock climbing outdoors, and then coming home alive.  

Gym-to-Crag Safety Tips for an Accident-Free First Climb

Practice cleaning anchors: Most crag-ccidents happen not during the climb, but during the descent. Learn to clean sport anchors without untying yourself from the rope.

Do your checks: Outside, distractions abound — as do half-finished knots. Check each other right before leaving the ground. (And exchange an obligatory fist bump.) 

Come up with a code: On long climbs, you might not be able to hear your partner. Establish a system — i.e, three tugs on the rope means “lower” — ahead of time.

Knot your ends: Tie a barrel knot in each end of the rope before climbing. That way, if your route is longer than it looks, the rope won’t come zipping through the belay device.  

Stand close: Outdoor whippers happen fast. Stand close to the wall while lead-belaying, and spot your partner up to the first bolt. Remember the key to hand-positioning shape when spotting: spoons, not forks.

Responsibility Reminders 

Leash your pup. Canine companions aren’t as rockfall-aware as we’d like them to be. Make sure your doggo is leashed, especially when your hands are full belaying. 

Share the route. Feel free to bring your whole crew, but be mindful of other groups. Offer to share ropes or let other climbers work in. 

Turn down the volume. We know you have great taste, but some climbers find music distracting. Ask your neighbors before you crank the T-Swift. 

Climbing Tips for Deeper Trips 

Watch your noggin. Helmets are always a good idea, but they become a must when you’re leading in remote environments. 

Respect the local ethic. Every crag has its rules when it comes to ticking holds, bolting, leaving draws, and stashing gear. Check with locals before you make yourself at home.

Pack it out. In places without a ton of moisture, buried deposits don’t decompose. If you’re climbing in an alpine or desert environment, Wag Bag your waste. 

 — See more in The Safety Detail, our film series and full activity guide to surviving and thriving outdoors. 

This article is sponsored by NHTSA: Click It or Ticket.