> Stay Safe Climbing

Climbing Safely is Your Responsibility
Read this before using any other page here. Climbing safely is your responsibility. Stay safe climbing by exercising good judgment and by knowing the limitations of your skills, ability, and experience.

Lightning Safety for Climbers
Summer, the best time to be outside climbing, is also the season for lightning storms. Learn here what lightning is and why lightning loves high places.

9 Tips to Avoid Lightning Strikes
You’re three pitches up the [i]Great White Book[/i] on Stately Pleasure Dome at Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows. It's a warm sunny morning. You're having lots of fun. Your partner is chimneying up the wide flake above your belay. You look down valley toward Half Dome and see a thunderstorm building over Glacier Point. Is it coming your way? You see a distant lightning flash. What do you d…

Facts About Lightning
Learn interesting facts about lightning. What are your chances of being struck? How many lightning strikes are there each day and year? What are the most dangerous places for lightning in the US?

10 Always Tips for Safe Climbing
Climbing is dangerous. You need to do everything you can to mitigate the effects of gravity and falling. Redundancy is key—always back-up every important piece of gear with another and always use more than one anchor. Your life depends on it. Beginner climbers are most vulnerable to accidents. Always use sound judgment; respect climbing dangers; don’t go over your head; ask for advi…

Sport Climbing Safety
What you need to know to have a safe sport climbing experience, including belaying, lowering, setting up anchors, and rope management.

Your Top-Rope Chain of Safety
Learn here about your top-rope chain of safety; the parts of the chain of safety; and the serious business of top-rope anchors.

Taking Care of Climbing Equipment
Climbing equipment takes a beating. Learn about caring and maintaining your climbing gear, including how to check and store gear, take care of your rope, and when to retire gear.

Avalanche Awareness
Learn all about avalanche safety and precautions at the National Snow and Ice Data Center's website.