​Joining a Sydney Rockclimbing Club Trip

 

It is expected that a climber attending any Sydney Rockclimbing Club trip can safely lead climb and belay.

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This can be acquired by, for example:

• “Learn to Lead Climb” course at one of the Indoor climbing gyms

• “Learn to Lead Indoors” or “Learn to Lead Sport” course facilitated by the Australian School of Mountaineering

• “Learn to Lead Climb” at Blue Mountains Climbing School

 

This lead certification (and at least 5 leading sessions at a climbing gym) will prepare you for attending an SRC trip.

In the past we have had novice climbers turn up with little experience. This impacts all members on the trip especially the leader through a 'duty of care'.

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SRC trips do not offer instruction however the trip leader and other experienced climbers on the trip may generously provide tips and tricks to climb safely.

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​How Do I Join a Trip?

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Once you have become a club member you will periodically (approximately every 6-8 weeks) receive an e-mail invitation to register your details to attend club trips. As part of the registration we will collect your contact details for insurance purposes and the following information:

• Your climbing experience – e.g. indoors or outdoors, climbing grades

• The style of climbing you would like to experience – e.g. single, multi-pitch, trad

• Your availability on upcoming weekends

The Club’s Trip Convenor will then collate the information collected from all members who registered and plan trips accordingly. Novice climbers will be invited to attend crags around Sydney that have easy access and have appropriately easy climbing grades. Intermediate and advanced climbers will be invited to attend crags that require more experience in their access and climbing grades.

Please note that in order to reduce the risk of overwhelming crags and parking, the club will limit participant numbers to 10-20. With currently over 80 members registering, there will likely be one trip per member in any 4-6 week period.

In order to manage the trip participants we no longer advertise upcoming trips on Facebook or our website. We also ask you to refrain from forwarding invitations to other climbers for the same reason.

Due to the club’s insurance policy restrictions, children under 18 years of age are not permitted to attend club trips.

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What Gear Do I Need to Bring?

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Please note that the Club has no gear available for beginners to use.

Ropes and protection may be generously provided by the trip leader and other experienced climbers on the trip.

 

Trip Leader will advise you what to bring.

However at a minimum, all climbers need a helmet and harness which are specifically designed for rock climbing and which adhere to UIAA, CE or equivalent and climbing shoes. We encourage you to purchase your own rope and rack if you wish to climb regularly.

Please consider the weight of your pack for climbing trips – is it too heavy for you to carry?

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Minimal Impact Whilst Climbing Outdoors

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• Access - It is not a given we will be allowed to climb at our beloved crags, do not attract the attention of Land Managers by bad parking, rubbish, cairns, noise.

• Toileting - bring a kit: mini-shovel, hand sanitiser, toilet paper.

• Parking - park with consideration to the locals; disperse parking or park away from dense neighbourhoods.

• Don’t monopolise the crag – take your turn, be polite to other users. Practice good public relations.

• Minimise chalk and tick marks.

• Leave no trace.

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Responsibilities

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Trip participants are responsible for their own actions, both in relation to obvious risks and in assessing their own climbing abilities.

Leaders may suggest an alternative climbing option if they are not satisfied that a participant has the necessary level of skill and equipment for the location; this may be on the form of buddying up with an experienced club member on an alternative trip or signing up for a skills course.

Leaders may advise that a climber cannot participate of their abilities are restricted due to:

• being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, including prescription medication, that may affect performance

• being unable or unwilling to follow instructions

• having inadequate physical ability or experience for the activity

• being ill or injured

• behaving in a manner which is reckless and endangers themselves and/or others

• having a condition that could impact on safety that cannot be appropriately managed

• being fatigued to a level that endangers themselves or others

• not having available the necessary equipment including safety or rescue equipment.