ROCK CLIMBING CHECKLIST

Nothing cuts a day at the crag short like showing up without your rock shoes. Use this list to get organized, so you can be ready to go whenever the rock is dry enough to climb. You may not need everything on it, depending on your plan for the day. But it’s also possible you may need more depending on the season, location, length and remoteness of your objective.

CLIMBING GEAR

The amount and type of climbing equipment and hardware you pack along will be different for sport climbing than for a trad climbing mission.

• Guidebook

• Climbing daypack

• Approach shoes

• Rock climbing shoes

• Rock climbing harness

• Helmet

• Climbing rope(s)

• Rope bag

• Chalk bag

• Chalk

• Quickdraws

• Locking carabiners

• General purpose biners (straight-gate or bent-gate)

• Back-off biner

• Belay device and belay biner

• Slings or anchor setup (a.k.a. runners)

• Tape

• Stick clip

• Cleaning brush

• Belay glasses

• Belay gloves

If you’re trad climbing, you’ll also need:

• Gear sling

• Cams

• Nuts, hexes and nut tool

• Accessory cord/prusiks

• Self-rescue equipment

• Alpine draws (extendable draws)

• Climbing knife

OTHER ESSENTIALS

Review the 10 essentials list to make sure you’re covered in case of an emergency, and adjust your clothing to match the conditions (remember that weather can change quickly in the mountains).

• Climbing pants or shorts

• Climbing tops

• Jackets to layer on

• Toque

• Sunglasses with a strap

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Bug spray

• Map and compass

• Headlamp

• Multi-tool or knife

• Repair kit

• Emergency blanket or bivy bag

• Food and snacks

• Water bottles and water

• Water treatment options

• First-aid kit

• Matches or a lighter (in a waterproof case)

• Phone (keep in mind there may not always be a signal) in a waterproof bag or case camera

• Trip plan left with a trusted friend

• Permit, if needed

• Nail clippers

Source: https://www.mec.ca