Leave no trace Principle

7. be considerate of other visitors

Climbing is a shared experience. How we show up affects everyone else around us — today and tomorrow.

This principle is about respect, not just for nature, but for the people enjoying it alongside you. Whether you're at a busy frontcountry crag or a remote alpine wall, the way you conduct yourself impacts others' experiences. That includes your presence, your volume, your time on routes, and even how you leave the base of a climb.

Climbers often spend hours in close quarters with strangers — so this principle is where community ethics and Leave No Trace intersect.

Common Ways to Be Considerate in Climbing Areas

Share the Wall

  • Don’t “camp out” on a route or monopolize a boulder.

    Example: Running back-to-back burns on a sport route while others are waiting is inconsiderate, especially at popular walls.

  • If someone is waiting, offer to share ropes or alternate burns. It’s a great way to build community and reduce crowding.

  • Don’t leave ropes on a route as a way of “claiming” it unless you're actively climbing.

Keep Noise Levels Down

  • Avoid shouting unnecessarily. Belay commands are essential — loud group banter, not so much.

  • Don’t play music on speakers unless you’re certain no one else is around and would enjoy it too.

    Nuance: What feels like a fun vibe to you might be a distraction or buzzkill for someone else’s day out.

  • Respect early mornings and evenings — quiet hours are good practice in any natural setting.

Use Space Thoughtfully

  • Keep packs, shoes, and gear consolidated in one low-impact area — especially at crowded crags or staging zones.

  • Avoid sprawling gear across trails, flat belay areas, or directly under classic lines.

  • In bouldering areas, only set up pads where you're actively climbing, not everywhere “just in case.”

Yield and Greet on the Trail

  • Uphill hikers typically have the right of way — step aside, say hello, and offer space.

  • At approach bottlenecks, be patient and avoid “cramponing” your way past another party.

  • If you’re with a large group, don’t overwhelm small rest areas or crag spots — let solo hikers or smaller parties pass or share space.

Leave it Nicer Than You Found It

  • Pick up trash — yours or not.

  • Brush tick marks off holds when you're done.

  • Erase chalk footprints off boulders, especially in photogenic or sensitive areas.

  • Return removed stones, logs, or pads to where they were (if moved from natural locations).

Example: In Bishop or Hueco Tanks, visible tick marks and scattered tape are a major source of tension between climbers and land managers. A quick brush-down goes a long way.

Be Honest About Your Abilities

  • Don’t get on a climb you can’t finish safely if you’re likely to leave gear behind or gum up the route for others.

  • Don’t toprope directly through anchor chains on sport climbs — use your own gear to reduce wear and show respect for local bolting efforts.

Community is Part of Stewardship

Being considerate doesn’t mean being quiet or invisible — it means being aware. It means taking a moment to notice:

  • Is someone waiting?

  • Am I dominating the space unintentionally?

  • How would I feel if I came upon this exact scene?

Good climbing days are made not just by great routes — but by great people. Respect is contagious.

Why It Matters

Outdoor spaces are shared by climbers, hikers, wildlife watchers, and wilderness lovers alike. Climbing isn't a solo act — it's a shared rhythm between humans and the land.

Being considerate of others ensures that crags stay welcoming, access stays open, and the climbing community continues to thrive with mutual respect.