How to Rack Your Climbing Gear

Traditional, or trad, climbing requires many pieces of gear. Climbers place gear, called protection or "pro," in cracks in the rock as they ascend. If they fall, the gear catches them. Trad climbers need to be able to access each piece easily as they climb. Many climbers clip their gear to shoulder slings, which is called racking your gear. This system allows climbers to keep their gear organized and at hand and makes it easy to hand off your whole rack to the next lead climber in your group.

Things You'll Need

  • Fixed or adjustable webbing sling
  • Nuts, stoppers and cams in a variety of sizes
  • Enough carabiners for each piece of pro
  • Runners in several sizes
  • Nut tool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your belay partner about how you want to organize your gear. You should come to an agreement before you start climbing to facilitate quick and easy gear hand-offs.

    • 2
      Different-sized cams are useful on different climbs.

      Decide what pieces of equipment you want for the climb you are about to do. Each climb will require different amounts, kinds and sizes of gear. Consult a guidebook or ask local climbers for information on a specific route.

    • 3

      Rack the gear you will need for this climb. Clip each piece of pro to a carabiner, and clip each carabiner to your sling. Your sling can be organized in many different ways. One common strategy is to put larger pieces toward the back and smaller ones in front. Clip your nut tool, runners and miscellaneous pieces of equipment to the gear loops on your harness.

    • 4

      Place the sling over your shoulder. Your gear should hang on your back and side and shouldn't interfere with climbing. Carry your sling so that your dominant clipping hand has easy access to your equipment.

    • 5

      After each climb, reorganize your rack. Untangle your runners, unclip each piece of pro and rearrange them for your next climb.