How to start outdoor climbing and outdoor climbing etiquette

Sun is shining and climbers' fingers start tickling! It's time to go outdoor bouldering!

Moving from plastic to rock might feel tricky, especially if you have to do it alone without any experienced friends to guide you.

Worry not, with our Outdoor 101 (Ulkoboulderoinnin ABC) -article's advice you can get started easily. In the article we have some tips for setting up the pads, spotting etc. The post is now only in Finnish for now but we'll be working on translating it soon.

Good way to start is with BK's outdoor basics course!

With the outdoor basics bouldering course you'll get an easy and safe start for outdoor bouldering. You can enroll to this course either in a group or have it as personal course. If you want to have a personal course please contact us via email info@boulderkeskus.com. The course is held at a local crag (e.g. Taivaskallio or Lintukallio) where we will learn everything in practice.

What you'll learn:

A safe way to climb outdoors
Ethics related to outdoor climbing
How to read an outdoor boulder problem and the specifics of outdoor bouldering

Outdoor climbing etiquette

When climbing outdoors one needs to respect nature and other people! More information can be found from the website of the Finnish Climbing Accociation's page here. In short:

Follow SKIL Access Facebook page @SKIL access and check the access tab's info from 27crags: follow the information and the rules regarding each crag
If you use a car, only park in legal spots and so that your car doesn't block anyone. Check the suggested parking spots from the topo. If the parking is full, go to another crag.
Leave your phone number to your car's windscreen so you can be contacted if your car is on the way.
Use ready-made paths so that the forest floor is worn as little as possible. Do not walk through fields or yards nor too close to housing when going to the crag.
Be kind to other climbers, landowners and other nature users. Actually: be kind to everyone. Always.
Don't make noise (no music please) or litter or act like a dork. This is pretty basic stuff.
When you leave, collect with you all your own things and trash and take other people's trash too if someone has left something at the crag.
Brush the excess chalk and tick marks after you're done.
You always need a permit for making a fire.
If you want to open your own problems, please read the instructions by FCA first here!
Respect nature and get to know everyone's rights!

Rent a pad from your local gym!

You're interested in outdoor bouldering but don't have a pad? Worry not, we'll rent you one! Or two ;)

Join a climbing club - at least for the insurance!

By joining a climbing club, you'll get a cheap but comprehensive insurance if an accident happens!

As a club member, you'll also support the important access work that FCA and its climbing clubs are doing in Finland. Finnish outdoor climbing would look very different without the effort that has been put to it by the clubs!

Our club, BK Climbers, organizes joint outdoor climbing sessions for its members - this an easy way to get to know outdoor climbing!