Oops, That Was My Bad: Climbing Etiquette 101
Have you ever started a climb in the gym only to realize the route you’re on intersects with another? Or maybe you’ve stood in front of a boulder trying to work out the sequence in your head without realizing there was a line of climbers forming behind you?
Everybody was a beginner climber once; if you don’t know proper climbing gym etiquette, follow along to learn what notto do at the climbing gym. But remember, don’t beat yourself up if you’ve done any of the following— you’re not at fault for being a beginner! Just take the knowledge you learn today and use it during your next visit to the climbing gym!
Share the Wall (and the Pads)
Bouldering is a communal activity. Many climbers typically hang out on the pads, sprawling out and watching others try to send their projects. However, if you’re resting and hanging out on the mats in the bouldering area, make sure you and your things are far enough away from the wall so that if somebody falls, they don’t fall on your things. Essentially, keep out of the landing zone.
Numerous accidents have occurred because people left water bottles, climbing shoes, etc., out on the mats, and somebody fell onto them. You’re just asking for a rolled ankle or bruised back! Keep your things far from the wall, and you’ll have a great time in the bouldering area.
There is more to just keeping your things away from the wall, though—keep yourself away, too. If you’re reading a route (trying to figure out how to climb it from the ground), stand back so others know they can hop on the wall.
Further, if you fall off a boulder, don’t keep hopping right back on! Not only will you give yourself some time to rest between burns, but you give the other climbers a chance to do what they came to the gym to do: climb!
Keep Your Volume in Check
We all love to encourage our friends when they’re climbing, right? We say things like, “You got it!” “Come on!” and “Nice!” While there isn’t a limit on encouragement, of course, try not to be heard throughout the entire gym. Yelling can be distracting to others and, sometimes, can also be a nuisance. Just be mindful of your volume!
A major no-no is the Bluetooth speaker. Under no circumstances should you bring a speaker to the climbing gym. You don’t like what they’re playing? Ask them to change the music or throw in some headphones. Save your jams for after your sessions—don’t subject others to your music at the gym.
Practice Good Hygiene and Gear Habits
Whether it's from too much sweat or too much chalk, you should brush holds when you’re done climbing. This keeps them from getting too greasy and in better shape for the next climber after you. Further, keep your shoes clean because guess where else you’re stepping? That’s right: on the climbing holds everybody else is putting their hands on.
Another tip is to avoid walking barefoot through the gym. Nobody knows where your feet have been, and you don’t know where everyone else’s feet have been. To add to this, never wear your climbing shoes into the restroom.
Always, always, always change your shoes. Bacteria transferred from climbing shoes, as previously mentioned, go right onto all those climbing holds everybody else is using!
Communicate Clearly and Make Space
Climbing gyms can get busy and noisy—if you’ve ever been at the gym during peak hours, then you’ve experienced the after-work crowd. To prevent any miscommunications, clearly use your belayer's name when you’re climbing to inform them when you want a take or when you’re going to fall. If you don’t use their name, another party nearby may take their friend instead, and pull them off the wall, and vice versa!
If you’re climbing in the ropes area, try to give those already on the wall their space. If you want to climb a route next to somebody who is already climbing, either way for them to come, or choose another climb at least an anchor away. This will prevent any accidental close-climbing, which can ruin the climb for both parties.
Leave the Gym Better Than You Found It
‘Leave No Trace’ isn’t only used in the outdoors; it can be used anywhere you go, even in the climbing gym. If you see something that could be potentially dangerous, like a water bottle near the base of the bouldering wall, be a good steward and get it out of there. Pick up stray chalk bags, gear, and any trash you see and take it where it belongs (even if that’s just setting it on a bench nearby).
Encourage others to follow good climbing gym etiquette and set a positive example. Others are likely to do good if they see others do good, so do some good!
Practice Your New Etiquette
Now that you know what not to do at the climbing gym, go and not do those things!
Look, there’s no way you’re supposed to know all of these as a beginner climber; that’s just the way of it. Hopefully, you’ve only met kind people who have pointed out what not to do at the climbing gym in a kind way.
Be a good steward at the climbing gym and lead by example. Remember to share the wall, leave the Bluetooth speaker at home, practice good hygiene, communicate clearly, and leave the gym better than you found it. While doing all of this, you must also have fun!