What’s In My Climbing Pack?

New sport climbers often over-prepare for their first weekend at the crag.

Your partner, hopefully an experienced climber, can typically help you sort necessities from extra gear. But that’s not always the case, or maybe your partner isn’t experienced, and your weekend pack is currently stuffed to the brim with unnecessary gear, which makes the approach cumbersome and packing up a chore.

Depending on the size of your gear bag, finding space for all the mandatory items can be a challenge. If you want to be lazy and not worry about running out of space, consider buying a 50 liter or greater backpack. But those are expensive, and most new climbers just dropped close to $200 on shoes and a harness. So what must your pack include for a solid weekend of sport climbing?

The Basics

Before you start packing non-essentials, make sure you’ve got the basics.

Here is a list of the most commonly used gear on a climbing trip.

• Harness
• Climbing shoes
• Helmet (not entirely essential for sport climbing but wearing a helmet is smart, especially for chossy rock)
• Rope (if your partner doesn’t have one)
• Locking and non-locking carabiners
• Quickdraws (if your partner doesn’t have enough)
• Chalk and chalk bag
• Knife
• Duct tape
• Rain jacket (if it makes sense)
• Belay device
• Webbing or a PAS
• Food
• Water (and beer)

Most of this gear is pretty straightforward and common sense. Belay devices are the exception. Experienced climbers each have their unique preferences and belay styles, which some devices complement more than others. Some climbers strongly feel that all new climbers should learn how to belay and rappel from a manual, tube style device, like the Black Diamond ATC. Others feel that an assisted-breaking devices, such as Petzl’s GriGri. Everyone is different, and if you have experienced climbing partners then ask to borrow their devices to find one you love.

For Safety

The best climbing days are when you walk away from the crag. It’s really that simple. Climbing is incredibly dangerous, and even though experienced climbers can lull themselves into a sense of familiar safety it’s important to stay vigilant against safety faux pas.

The rule of thumb is “check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Double check that your knot is tied correctly, your harness is on and tightened properly, you have enough quickdraws, and your partner has their belay device loaded properly.

From a materials standpoint, bring extra water. Running out of water is scary when you’re far from the car. No matter the size or danger of the climb, keep a few emergency items on hand: a first aid kit (packed with essentials), a fire starter, and a paracord bracelet. Some bracelets have a built-in flint fire starter, but they all include a whistle, a compass, and a knife or scraper.

If you and your partner are climbing somewhere new, it’s important to pack a route description or a guidebook.

Pack a smaller bag with your climbing toiletries. This should always include toilet paper, sunscreen and lip chap with SPF. In some areas, mosquitos and bugs are rampant and bug spray is essential. Finally, always carry a headlamp. You will be grateful to have one when you have to unexpectedly pack up and hike out in the dark. At one point or another, this will happen.

Entertainment and Extras

You’ll definitely want a camera of some sort. After all, if you don’t post it on social media it didn’t happen, right? Unless photography is the point of your trip, save space by using your phone camera. If you want to beef up your phone’s shooting capabilities, purchase some attachable lenses. Bringing them along in place of a DSLR will save you space and weigh less in your pack.

Of course, your phone can double as a DJ if you download music before you go. If you can’t do anything without music, pack a portable speaker. Consider choosing a portable speaker that is waterproof, lightweight, and can simply clip onto your pack. The JBL Clip 2 is great for any outdoor adventures. On longer hikes, bring a lightweight solar charger.

If you plan to spend the entire day outdoors, hammocks are a great option for comfortable rest and relaxation after a few hard climbs. If you typically hike with a partner, pack a double-nester so you both don’t have to bear the extra weight. A break isn’t real without snacks. Apart from my emergency granola bar, I also like to bring some cheese and crackers, nuts, dried fruit, and anything high in protein. Sandwiches and wraps are an easy option too. A tortilla wrap is best since bread can smoosh easily in your pack. For all the sweet lovers, chocolate covered espresso beans can be lifesaving towards the end of a long day.

A few other tips…

When your hands start getting tired and your wrists begin to cramp, rub in a little wood lock oil. The natural Chinese medicine is great for pain relief, relaxation, and it smells good, too. Pack extra socks and comfortable shoes to wear while you’re not climbing. If your adventure ends at a natural spring, bring water shoes. If space permits, bring an old blanket or a tapestry for a clean sitting space.

Lead climbers should look into personal anchor systems. They help save your energy and are ideal for cleaning routes. Using two slings or tied webbing runners also works.  Finally, always dress in layers rather than packing extra layers. Mountain weather can be unpredictable. A properly layered outfit can be two outfits if needed: one for warmer weather and one for the cold.

With so many important items to pack, it’s easy for something to get left behind. If you are a list person, before heading out write a quick list of what is in your pack. When you are getting ready to leave your climbing spot, use it to double check you have everything before the trek home. The biggest bummer is leaving gear at your climbing spot. Also, consider the road trip to and from your camping site. If it is a long haul, reference a separate road trip checklist to make the most of your time spent in the car.