Discussion of Rock Climbing Ethics

• North Carolina is for the most part traditional climbing or ground up first accents.
   
• There are access issues and everyone needs to be aware that there are closures and openings and respect land owners and State & Federal Park rules and regulations.
   

• As with any wilderness excursion, it is vital to practice "Leave No Trace" ethics (in order to maintain access to rock climbing areas).
   
• If you find a cliff and don't know who owns it, check with land owners before climbing there (this should be common sense).
   
• Chipping and epoxying holds are against North Carolina climbing ethics and deeply frowned upon.
   
• No one should bolt pre-established routes if they weren't bolted by the first accent party (this is known as retro-bolting).
   
• There is no use of electric drills in wilderness areas and drilling in state parks is illegal.
   
• Always clean off your tick marks because it is respectful to allow each individual the chance to attack the problem in their own way.
   
• Trespassing is obviously a no no, so don't do it (this can give rock climbers a bad rap).
   
• Rate the climb accurately for the safety of everyone, NO SANDBAG RATINGS.
   
• No pitons should be added to established routes.