SAFE climbing

Tips and advice for staying safe in the mountains.

Safety and a fun experience are top priorities in the mountains. At its core, safety means the adherence to important rules of conduct and instructions, as well as accurate tour planning and adequate equipment.

Climbing is ideal for those who want to strengthen their mental and physical fitness while having fun and enjoy a sense of community. That being said, climbing can be dangerous. Learn the skills you need the right way by taking a climbing course.

10 recommendations for a positive climbing experience

1. First things first: Perform a team check

  • Ascertain weight differences, take appropriate measures
  • Consider people’s securing skills and condition on the day
  • Agree rules of communication
  • Check climbing equipment

2. Do a partner check before each climb

  • Roping up knot and roping up point
  • Safety carabiner and belay device – blocking test
  • Harness and harness fastenings
  • Rope end knotted

3. Only secure yourself with trusted equipment

  • Semi-automatic devices provide additional security
  • Braking hand principle: one hand always holds the brake rope
  • Maintain correct position of the braking hand
  • Your carabiner, rope and belay device fit together

4. Pay full attention when securing

© Georg Sojer

»No rope slack
» Choose an optimal location close to the wall
» Observe your partner closely
» Safety help to keep focussed

5. Clear the fall zone

© Georg Sojer

»It is best to overestimate any possible danger zones where collisions might occur
» Leave enough distance on the ground for the climber’s fall line
» Keep sufficient distance to other climbs in the route
» Be aware of pendulum falls

What to do in case of an emergency?
Call the emergency service!

140 - Alpine emergency call (mountain rescue)
112 - European emergency call
133 - Police
144 - Ambulance

read more

6. Clip in all belays properly

  • Clip in from a stable position
  • Avoid falls when clipping in – risk of falling to the ground
  • Ensure proper rope running through the carabiner
  • Do not climb behind the rope

7. Only use a top rope with the top anchors provided

  • No top rope in a single carabiner
  • In very overhanging routes only use a top rope with the belays clipped in
  • Check that the right rope strand is in the belay device

8. Take care when abseiling

  • Lower your partner slowly and evenly
  • Ensure landing area is clear
  • Never put two ropes in one top anchor
  • Communicate at the top anchor point

9. Warm up before you start!

  • Slowly increase the intensity
  • Relax at the end of the climb, cool down
  • Give injuries time to heal

10. Take your responsibility seriously

  • Be self-critical and open to feedback
  • Address mistakes, including those made by others
  • Stay up to date
  • Be considerate of others
Nature Conservation
Nature Conservation

Measures - Tips - Rules of conduct

We are committed to protecting, maintaining and preserving the valuable natural landscape of the Wilder Kaiser region.

Here you can find out more about the measures we take and what rules of conduct must be observed when enjoying nature.

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Climbing offers and courses
Climbing offers and courses

Climbing offers a perfect balance to everyday life. An overview of current climbing offers and courses in the region Wilder Kaiser is available here.

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Equipment

Basic equipment checklist

  • Wear appropriate outdoor clothing including a change of clothes (waterproof trousers or gaiters)
  • Sturdy hiking or mountaineering boots with non-slip, treaded sole
  • Hiking poles (height-adjustable)
  • Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection, hat)
  • Rain and snow protection (rain jacket/poncho, backpack cover)
  • Cold protection (hat, gloves)
  • Food & drink (sufficient liquids and snacks) – check for potential refreshment stops in the trail descriptions
  • First aid kit incl. emergency blanket, bivouac sack and headlamp
  • Mobile phone with a fully charged battery
  • Hiking map, route description and information materials
  • ID, insurance card, cash

Climbing equipment checklist

  • Climbing harness
  • Belay device both partners are familiar with
  • 10 to 15 quickdraws (depending on the area)
  • at least 1 webbing sling per person
  • at least 3 locking carabiners
  • Climbing helmet
  • Climbing rope of a length to suit the climbing structure/crag/climbing garden
  • Climbing shoes
  • Chalk and chalk bags

Multi-pitch: additional gear (slings, carabiners, nuts (metal wedges), friends, etc.) depending on the tour

Tips:
» A rope bag helps protects the rope and increases its life span
» Tape can be useful for smaller cuts/abrasions
» Mark the halfway point of your rope to prevent too little rope being left when rappelling.

Tour planning checklist

  • Chose your preferred tour based upon your skills, ability and current conditions? (Make an honest self-assessment based on your physical and mental condition)
  • Checked the local conditions?
  • Time planning! Start early – the risk of thunderstorms increases rapidly from midday in high summer; it gets dark early in the autumn!
  • Choose the right equipment!
  • Check weather forecast and note current weather conditions!
  • Do you have accident and mountain insurance? Have you installed and tested Tirol’s Mountain Rescue emergency-call app on your Smartphone?

Climbers Paradise | Climbing and Bouldering in Tirol

As a member of Climbers Paradise, we always strive to offer our guests the highest standards in our climbing infrastructure. Continuous optimisation of the climbing areas as well as the detailed preparation of all relevant content form the base for your unforgettable climbing experience at the Wilder Kaiser mountain range.

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Grading systems

UIAA Scale France USA Australia Great Britain
Adjectival Tech
1 1 5.2
2 2 5.3 11
3 3 5.4 12
4 4 5.5 VD 4a
5- 5a 5.6 13
5 5.7 14 HS 4b
5+ 5b 15 4c
6- 5.8 16 VS
6 5c 5.9 17 HVS 5a
6+ 6a 5.10a 18 E1
7- 6a+ 5.10b 19 5b
7 6b 5.10c 20 E2
7+ 6b+ 5.10d 21 5c
7+/8- 6c 5.11a 22 E3
8- 6c+ 5.11b 23
8 7a 5.11c 24 E4 6a
8+ 7a+ 5.11d 25 E5
8+/9- 7b 5.12a 26 6b
9- 7b+ 5.12b E6
9 7c 5.12c 27 6c
9+ 7c+ 5.12d 28 E7
9+/10- 8a 5.13a 29
5.13b 7a
10- 8a+ 5.13c 30 E8
10 8b 5.13d 31
10+ 8b+ 5.14a 32 7b
10+/11- 8c 5.14b E9
11- 8c+ 5.14c 33 7c
11 9a 5.14d
11+ 9a+ 5.15a
11+/12- 9b 5.15b
What to do in case of an emergency?
What to do in case of an emergency?

Safety in the mountains is paramount. Time and again, mountaineers are surprised or injured by a sudden thunderstorm or other natural forces only to be spontaneously faced with the question: "What is the Alpine emergency no.?

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Today

2024-04-27

4 °C

  • Valley
  • 10 km/h
  • 11° Mountain
  • 0 %

Tomorrow

2024-04-28

21 °C

  • Valley
  • 10 km/h
  • 15° Mountain
  • 0 %

The day after tomorrow

2024-04-29

22 °C

  • Valley
  • 10 km/h
  • 16° Mountain
  • 0 %

2024-04-30

2024-04-30

24 °C

  • Valley
  • 10 km/h
  • 19° Mountain
  • 5 %
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Please note that the information provided regarding safety in the mountains is a recommendation only on behalf of Tourismusverband Wilder Kaiser. All information is subject to change without notice.

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