Respect Other Users
Be considerate of other climbers and non-climbers every time you go climbing.
Parking and Camping
Know where you are allowed to park and camp at each area and follow the rules. Poor parking and camping practices can raise the alarm for land owners, managers, and locals.
Place Gear and Pads Properly
Avoid placing gear and pads directly on vegetation or on exposed roots of trees.
In Ontario, do not use ancient cedars as part of your anchors.
Place gear on durable surfaces such as rocks or highly impacted zones close to the base of the cliff.
Avoid placing gear and pads at the edge of the impact zone and vegetation zone. Over time this will increase the size of the impacted zone.
Keep a Low Profile
Avoid blaring music at outdoor climbing areas.
Take steps to minimize group size.
Keep your gear and personal belongings organized and contained.
Respect Closures
Avoid climbing in areas that are closed for cultural significance, private property or other reasons as designated by land managers. If you have questions about closures, contact the OAC for more information.
Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander
Lead by example and put these guidelines into practice each time you go climbing.
Give back to climbing in a way that is authentic to you.
Steer others toward responsible future behaviors using a positive tone that connects negative behaviors to ecological or social impacts.