Avoiding Loose Rock -- How to Avoid Loose Rock

Follow these 15 safe climbing tips to avoid loose rocks and climbing accidents caused by rockfall.

It’s a good idea to wear a climbing helmet, especially if you’re climbing at cliffs with loose rock or if you’re climbing below another party. A helmet protects your head from falling rocks, projectiles, and dropped gear.

To avoid rockfall when you're climbing, then avoid climbing on cliffs with loose rock. It’s that easy. If you don’t climb on cliffs with rotten rock, loose flakes, stacked boulders, and recent rockfall then you won't have problems with loose rock.

If you want to live long and prosper and avoid climbing on loose rock, then never climb below other parties. Change your plans and climb something else to be safe.

When you go climbing on loose cliffs, you have to expect that rocks are going to fall off. And when they do fall, you don’t want to be in the line of fire. Unless you’re the belayer, follow Loose Rock Tip #4: Don’t sit or stand directly below a climber.

Stay safe rock climbing by following Loose Rock Tip #5: evaluate the quality of the rock and test handholds and footholds to avoid loose rock and accidents.

Whenever you’re climbing always test any suspect holds before using them. Learn here how to test suspect holds when you're climbing.

Loose cliffs have loose handholds. Learn how to use fragile flakes and loose holds but folling Loose Rock Tip #7: Pull Down, Not Out.

If you're climbing above another party, be extremely careful not to knock any rocks off. Falling rocks can injure or kills a climber below you. If you do dislodge a chunk, always yell "ROCK!" to warn others below to protect themselves.