Photo Courtesy of:Chris Burkard
Gear
Don't be a junk show. When your gear is sprawled out it damages plant life that protects against erosion, which over time expands our impact at the base of the climbing area. Excessive padding while bouldering can have similar negative impacts. While climbing gyms provide us with cubbies and lockers far from the climbing, we need to reverse our thinking when climbing outside and keep our gear close to the cliff.
Stashing
Stashing pads or other gear is poor form, and it's illegal on most public lands. Land managers classify stashed gear as “abandoned property” and repeat offenses jeopardize the reputation of climbers and climbing access. Stashed gear is also a prime target for wildlife to tear apart.
Essential Skills
- Gear should be placed close to the cliff, not at the edge of the staging area.
- Keep your gear organized and placed on durable surfaces like rocks or hard packed dirt.
- No stashing! Pack out your gear and pads each session.
- When bouldering, pad as minimally as possible to keep it safe.
- Avoid placing crash pads directly on top of vegetation.
- Don't drag your pad between locations—pick it up and place it.
KEEP EXPLORING
Resource Center
Stashing pads is often illegal and raises the alarm for land managers. Take the time and effort to pack out your pads after each session.
When transitioning from climbing indoors to outdoors, be prepared to venture outside by gaining awareness and skills to minimize your impact.
