UKC

Cragging, bouldering, mountain climbing… whatever your pursuit, here are 20 tips to build into your planning to make for more sustainable climbing.

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In reply to UKC Articles:

Shouldn’t number 1 be

Walk or bike / bus to your nearest climbing wall. Repea.

In reply to Chris H:

Both walking, biking, running and using public transport is mentioned right in the article, right in the first few paragraphs. Perhaps actually read it next time?

Interestingly, didn't Franz and Toni Schmid cycle all the way from Munich to Matterhorn and back, plus many other climbers cycling into the Alps back then as well?

In reply to Frank R.:

My point was that the best option for preserving the outdoor environment is to not use it.  

In reply to UKC Articles:

Really good article, thanks Anna

In reply to UKC Articles:

Good article, thanks. A few more tips which I find handy for ecopoint climbing:

1. On regional trains in much of Europe, you can take bikes (mostly with a small paid surcharge). This makes life a lot easier.

2. Some mapping apps like Komoot will show things like road surface and elevation details, which makes it easier to figure out where you can get to with a bike. If you have to use a forest road which is cyclable but off-limit for cars, ecopoint can often be faster than driving and walking.

3. Find local projects reachable without a car! Life gets a lot easier when you can hop on a bike to get to your project. Personally, I sometimes overlook great local climbing in favour of 'classics' - ecopoint is a good reason to re-evaluate local crags.

4. Camping doesn't need a car-full of stuff if you take a hammock and sleeping bag, you can easily carry everything you need in panniers (or a rucksack).

I'd also add that climbing for a lot of people is about adventure and freedom. Travel without a car often enhances that side of climbing. 

In reply to Chris H:

I get a neighbour to hose me with cold water while I roll around on stinging nettles. It's just like Scotland in August and with a far smaller carbon footprint.

In reply to Frank 

Yes; Hermann Buhl fell asleep on his bike cycling back from the Piz Badile and rode into the river Inn 🤣

In reply to Lankyman:I don’t even bother going down the wall….I invite some mates round and we sit on my carpet playing with our phones….