In this guide we get straight to the point — no fluff, no jargon. We'll tell you what you absolutely need to climb on rock safely, what can wait, and how to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.
This isn't just a dry equipment list. We explain what each item is for, how to use it properly from day one, and why it belongs in your pack. We want you to make informed choices, climb with peace of mind, and enjoy it from the very first day. Check out our rock climbing course if you want to put all of this into practice with professional guidance.
Personal Gear You Should Own From Day One
Harness: your direct connection to the rope. Look for something comfortable, easy to adjust, and versatile — a mid-range, unisex model with easy-to-adjust buckles is a great start.
Helmet: it might feel optional, but on real rock it isn't — rocks fall, holds break, and you can hit your head in a silly fall. Wearing a helmet isn't overkill, it's common sense.
Climbing shoes: comfortable shoes make a real difference. Look for a neutral last without much curve that you can wear for a while without pain. The Tenaya Tanta is usually a great comfortable first pair.
Chalk and chalk bag: chalk keeps sweat from making your hands slip. Powder chalk is a great way to start, and look for a bag that stays put and closes securely.
Rope: a single dynamic rope, 60–70m long and 9.4–9.7mm thick, is the standard choice. Always buy new — a rope's history and condition are impossible to verify secondhand.
Belay device and locking carabiner: an assisted-braking device like the Grigri paired with an HMS carabiner gives you a reliable, beginner-friendly setup.
Quickdraws: 10–12 quickdraws with 17–18cm slings are the sweet spot for most single-pitch sport routes.
Daisy chain or anchor sling: handy for building anchors and clipping in securely at multi-pitch belays or while resting.
Knee pads: increasingly popular for trad and offwidth-style climbing — the Black Diamond Pad is a solid recommendation once you start pushing into that terrain.
Know your style first: sport, trad, and bouldering call for different gear, so figure out what you'll actually be doing before you buy.
Buy from specialized shops with CE/UIAA-certified gear — never buy safety equipment secondhand.
Learn to use your gear before relying on it — a course beats watching videos when your safety is on the line.
Take care of your gear: store it away from sunlight and heat, keep it clean, and check it regularly for wear.
Rope bag: keeps your rope clean and tangle-free, and doubles as a tarp to flake it out on.
Apps and guidebooks: platforms like 27Crags or TopoGuru help you find routes and plan sessions.
Technical clothing: breathable, flexible layers make a real difference on long days out.
Crash pad: essential if you're getting into bouldering.
Basic first-aid kit: always worth having on hand at the crag.
Climbing isn't just about getting up the rock — it's about connecting with yourself, with nature, and with others. But it has to be done safely. Having good gear is the first step, knowing how to use it is the next. Don't stress about having it all at once — start with a solid base, keep learning, and enjoy the process. If you want to speed up that learning, have some laughs, and climb with people who know what they're doing, join a rock climbing course. It'll give you wings. See you on the rock.
Climb in Siurana, Spain’s sport climbing paradise. Learn about the best walls, routes, and activities for every climber.
LEARN MOREA short tale about a climbing trip to the iconic Verdon Gorge.
LEARN MOREYou can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone to (+34) 645 432 307, or by filling up the contact form in the following link.
(Translated by Google) It was a perfect day! The activity was very well organized and the experience was positive! Now I look forward to the next appointment, raising the level and learning more!
(Original) Fue un dia perfecto! La actividad muy bien organitzada y la experiència positiva! Ahora ya espero para la siguientre cita, subiendo el nivel y aprendiendo mas!
(Translated by Google) Take the long route course: two days, the first one took us to combat Montserrat, where we went from a theoretical explanation with exercises in the place to climbing and practicing what we saw. At all times checking and explaining why we do what we do at each stage. Day two: straight to one of the caps, where we immediately began to climb applying what we had learned with a long route of multiple meetings. You finish the course with not only tools to be able to do it alone, but with a way of thinking when it comes to Set up your rappelling or your meetings to be able to adapt to any situation! Super recommended and the best predisposition of Santi!! Super serious, and always very clear with each step we took.
(Original) Tome el curso de vía larga: dos dias, el primero nos llevó a combato Montserrat, donde pasamos de un explicación teórica con ejercicios en el lugar a escalar y practicar lo visto. En todo momento chequeando y explicando el porqué hacemos lo que hacemos en cada etapa. Día dos: directo a uno de los gorros, donde inmediatamente empezamos a subir aplicando lo aprendido con una vía larga de múltiples reuniones. Terminas el curso con no solo herramientas para poder hacerlo solo, sino con una forma de pensar a la hora de Montar tu rapel o tus reuniones para poder adaptarte a cualquier situacion! Súper recomendable y la mejor predisposición de Santi!! Súper serio, y siempre muy claro con cada paso que dimos.
I did a five-day climbing camp with Southclimb and it was an excellent way to get familiar with climbing in one of the best climbing spots in the world!
Carolina, our instructor, was a lot of fun, kept morale high despite the unexpected bad weather conditions. She supported me with all my questions about climbing and pushed me to trust myself more. I also appreciate Santi for good communication with me from the very start and handling the camp shortening professionally, offering a fair solution when the weather forced us to cancel a few days.
Despite the unexpected challenges, the whole experience was very positive, and I look forward to climbing with them again in Siurana!
The Via Ferrata was amazing.
* Personal guidance
* High quality pictures
* Very good price
* Guide is good company
* Route has beautiful scenery, very exciting and Santi knows it completely
You do need to bring your own shoes, which may be expected but wasn't mentioned on the website.
(Translated by Google) Great, super complete and special attention
(Original) Genial, super completo y especial atención
The most beautiful setting with endless awe inspiring walls and valleys. We’re new to outdoor climbing and our instructor couldn’t have been better. Interesting, enthusiastic, patient and inspiring we felt like we were climbing with a friend who taught us so much and tailored our weekend amazingly to our ability. We felt challenged without feeling completely out of our comfort zone. So fun!
(Translated by Google) Santi's mix of professionalism and good vibes makes the climbing experience complete: educational to learn and fun to enjoy. 100% recommended
(Original) La mezcla de profesionalidad y buena vibra de Santi hace que la experiencia de escalada sea completa: educativa para aprender y divertida para disfrutarla. Recomendado 100%
(Translated by Google) A few hours of very pleasant climbing in Arbolí with the children. Great success, with a great time. Santi, the mountain guide, takes care of everything: the material, the routes, the level of difficulty adapted to each one, the photos, the security, and also his attention to everyone and everything for the preparation, before meeting to climb . Southclimb offers the knowledge and experience that allow you to learn, overcome limits, gain confidence, enjoy and share unforgettable family moments. A thousand thanks to you Santi Valerga
(Original) Unas horas de escalada muy agradables en Arbolí con los niños. Gran éxito, con un tiempo estupendo. Santi, el guia de montaña, se encarga de todo : el material, las rutas, el nivel de dificultad adaptado a cada uno, las fotos, la seguridad, y también su atenciòn a todos y todo para la preparaciòn, antes de reunirse para escalar. Southclimb ofrece el saber y la experiencia que permiten aprender, superar limites, tomar confianza, disfrutar y compartir inolvidables momentos de familia. Mil gracias a ti Santi Valerga
Great experience. Santi arranged and communicated all the logistics very well. Giordano was a great instructor and made the experience fun and comfortable. Will recommend Southclimb.
(Translated by Google) Climbing course in Via Larga with Santi. It was two days of pure learning and enjoyment. It tests you and corrects you with clear and concise modifications taking into account all kinds of details. Activity very well planned and worked in incredible environments. Great experience!
(Original) Curso de escalada en Via Larga con Santi. Fueron dos días de puro aprendizaje y disfrute. Te pone a prueba y te corrige con modificaciones claras y concisas teniendo en cuenta toda clase de detalles. Actividad muy bien planificada y trabajada en entornos increíbles. Gran experiencia!
