Crag Custodians

Many new climbers are surprised to hear there isn't a central authority in charge of maintaining climbing areas in Australia. The work is done by local climbers. So all climbers should play a role in crag stewardship.

🧗‍♂️ Climb Often? Here’s How to Give Back to Your Crag

If you regularly climb at a crag, you’re more than just a visitor - you’re part of its ecosystem. Here's how to climb with care, respect, and stewardship:

🙅‍♂️ Don’t Be a Consumer

🧱 The cliff is not an outdoor climbing gym.
❌ Avoid the mindset of "I pay, therefore I get." Real cliffs come with shared responsibility.

💰 Give Back

🛠️ Donate to your local Safer Cliffs (see details for your state here). Even small contributions help replace dangerous gear.
💵 It’s okay - even good - to spend a bit on your crag. Compare it to what you’d spend on other hobbies, and realise how affordable climbing truly is.

🌱 Reduce Your Impact

🌏 This is shared land - most crags are also visited by bushwalkers, families, and nature lovers. Be respectful. Not everyone appreciates permadraws or power screams.
🙋‍♂️ Leave a good impression - you never know who’s watching (including land managers).
🧼 Minimise erosion: reinforce foot tracks if needed. In some spots, timber steps or staked platforms help; in others, they may risk access. Always check what's appropriate.
🧹 Keep it clean: remove cobwebs, brush off chalk, and consider using a battery blower (only when it’s not busy).

🛠️ Maintain, Repair, Report

🔧 Keep a 17mm spanner or small shifter in your climbing pack - it weighs little and can save a life.
🚫 Never climb past a spinning or loose hanger on an expansion bolt. Many only need five turns before falling out.
🧩 Found a bad bolt or anchor?
- ✅ Fix it if you can.
- 📢 If not, log a warning on theCrag.com.

🔒 Check Fixed Hardware

🧵 Permadraws need inspection:
- Bleached slings? 🚮 Remove immediately - they can snap under bodyweight.
- Grooved biners? ⚠️ They can cut ropes. Replace them!
⚓ Anchors getting worn?
- Buy and carry two 316SS 8mm mallions (link to buy) and spinning rings (link to buy). If you come across a particularly worn anchor, add them. This is something everyone can do to extend the life of an anchor for many years.

🧗‍♀️ Route Changes

🔍 If a key hold breaks, test if the route still goes.
🤝 If not, consult the first ascentionist and local climbers before altering anything. Keep the community involved.

🧒 Pass It On

🌟 Mentor new climbers.
🎓 Teach them what it means to be a crag custodian - not just a strong climber.

📵 Think Before You Post

📷 Be careful posting problems or controversy on social media.
- 🕵️ Land managers watch too - and seeing posts about sketchy hardware, bad behaviour, bolting, trundling, environmental damage or erosion might lead to access restrictions.
- 🤼 Climbers are often their own worst enemies. Online infighting is counterproductive to maintaining access.
- 🧠 Share solutions and stewardship, not problems.