By Harriette Halepis

Is there anything more exhilarating than hanging off the edge of a massive rock? Whether you are a novice or an expert, it pays to know all about rock climbing safety before you decide to scale those mighty heights. Interestingly enough, even those people that have been climbing for many years don’t pay attention to basic safety rules. Forgetting to play it safe while climbing a mountain is not only foolish, it can be deadly. Read through this list of simple rock climbing rules before you begin your next climbing adventure.

The number one fault of most climbers is ignoring that little voice that says: “don’t even think about climbing that one!” Instead, many climbers take routes that really should be avoided. If you think that a particular route might be too much to handle, don’t try and play with your life. Some rocks simply aren’t meant to be climbed…leave those rocks alone. Next, make sure to check all of your gear before you head out. Amazingly, many climbers wind up seriously injured thanks to gear that should have been tossed out a long time ago. If you think that your harness has had it – buy a new one. Don’t save a few pennies while risking your life.

This one might seem relatively straightforward, but: wear a helmet. Dropping off the face of a cliff can really cause some serious head trauma. A simple helmet can help to protect your head if you fall. It’s also a great idea – a fantastic idea, really – to check the weather forecast before you head out for that climb. You don’t want to be caught in any kind of storm while you are climbing a large peak. Lastly, make sure that someone knows where you are at all times. Far too many climbers forget to tell anyone of their plans, which leads to a disappearance if an accident occurs.

Even if you tell someone about the route that you intend to take, it never hurts to be extra cautious. Consider investing in a GPS tracker that will track your movements no matter where you are. These tracking signals can be easily picked up by emergency crews should you fall. If you do fall, remain where you are, and allow emergency crews to come to you. With the help of a GPS tracker, you won’t ever wind up lost, alone, or injured for very long. In many cases, GPS trackers save the lives of numerous climbers. Keep these things in mind as you climb – they could save your life!