What to bring to a Trad meet
So, you’re coming on your first trad meet with SCC - brilliant!
But what to bring?
There’s so much exciting shiny climbing gear to buy, but it’s good to start with the basics. Here’s a handy list of a few things we would recommend. You can get these from any decent climbing shop - see the attached links, and also The Climbers Shop, Rock & Run, Cotswold Outdoor (where you get BMC discount)
Too busy/lazy/psyched to read stuff? Here's some ace videos our member (and qualified instructor) Luke Hunter has put together for us summarising his take on trad gear to carry. Feel free to share them with your friends!
Stuff you always need:
- Harness, shoes, chalk, helmet
- Good-sized rucksack (e.g. 35 litres) - for your stuff, and to share out carrying all the gear
Belay device - one with two slots as two ropes are usually needed for trad (so a Grigri-type device isn’t suitable). See here for more info and options: Needlesports - belay device
Sensible stuff for a long day out, in any weather, with potentially lots of walking
- E.g. Good shoes, lots of layers, windproofs, sun cream, water, food etc
New shiny stuff:
- Nut key for getting trad gear out - one with elastic is great so you don’t drop it
- A couple of 120cm slings to anchor yourself to the rock
- A couple of screwgate karabiners to go with your slings
- 2 x 1.5 metres of 5-6mm accessory cord (this needs to be from a climbing shop) for making prusiks (we use these for lots of reasons including making abseiling safer)
- Needlesports - Prusik Cord
- We can teach you how to tie the correct knots to make a prusik (it’s a “double fisherman's”) - preferably sign up to one of our training events, though we can help on the meet if needed. Or see here to start practising!
We have plenty of training courses for you to learn the right skills; and your climbing partner for the day will also share their wisdom and maintain safety. By buying your own starter-kit you will get to learn straight away and start collecting shiny new gear!