{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120452\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E(Published November 2024, replacing\u0026nbsp;January 2023)\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EIntroduction\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis page looks to give the facts a person would need to know to run climbing for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves if they are a young person.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDefinitions\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESingle Pitch Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0is where a climb can be completed in one stage (pitch) where the rope is anchored only once and not moved on to form a second pitch, and from which the climber can safely walk off unroped from the top, or can be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMulti-Pitch Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0is where a route that can only be completed in two or more stages (pitches), or from which the climber cannot safely walk off unroped from the top, or cannot be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETop Rope\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0refers to a single pitch climb where the climber is belayed either by a person at the top of the climb, or by a person at the bottom of the climb when the rope runs from the belayer through an anchor at the top of the climb.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELead Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0refers to a climb where the climber places protection devices into the rock face, or uses pre-installed protection devices, to clip their rope into as they climb. Sport climbing and trad (traditional) climbing are types of lead climbing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbseiling\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0involves the descent of a rope using a friction device to control the speed of descent. It is popular as an activity on single pitch crags and walls, from structures such as bridges and as a method of retrieving equipment stuck on a climb.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBouldering\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0is a form of rock climbing that takes place on artificial bouldering walls, large natural boulders (rocks) or small rock formations, close to the ground without the use of ropes or harnesses. Members who are leading bouldering activities do not need a climbing permit but must be aware of the risks involved in the activity and plan for the limitations of their groups. Where artificial bouldering venues provide operating procedures these must be followed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIce Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0generally refers to the climbing of ice formations such as icefalls and frozen waterfalls, although there are also artificial ice climbing walls available. Ice Climbing is climbing done using ice climbing equipment and/or on ice surfaces, this includes dry walling. An ice climbing permit is required for all ice climbing activities.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is a Climbing Permit?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore all activities classed as adventurous can only be led by someone holding the appropriate permit. Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA climbing permit is required for all climbing and abseiling activities, except bouldering and those using auto belay systems.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are five levels of permit available for climbing. These are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EArtificial Top Rope\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENatural Top Rope\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EArtificial Lead\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENatural Lead\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMulti-Pitch\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach permit can be restricted (such as through specific locations, no abseiling, etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of any person.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll natural rock permits cover the equivalent artificial permits, unless restrictions state otherwise.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Levels of Permit"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are three types of permit available for climbing. These are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 Allows a young person (under 18) to take part in climbing with other youth members with a personal climbing permit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 Allows the permit holder to lead climbing for a single group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0- Allows the permit holder to supervise more than one climbing group.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Types of Permit"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 If you hold a personal climbing permit you can go climbing with other youth members (under 18) who also hold a personal climbing permit. Climbing undertaken must only be to the level of the person with the lowest permit held within the activity group. It does not allow you to go climbing with anyone not holding a climbing permit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 If you have a leadership permit for top rope climbing you can lead up to two top rope climbing systems at a time, unless a restriction is in place reducing the number of ropes to one.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you have a leadership permit for lead climbing, you can lead one climbing rope system at a time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you have a leadership permit to lead multi-pitch climbing you can lead one rope system at a time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u2013 If you hold a permit to supervise climbing then you can supervise up to three rope systems at a time. You should remain in a position to be able to effectively supervise and assist all rope systems. You remain responsible for all the groups you are supervising, but can designate someone with the appropriate skills to be the rope leader of each group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENote: No supervisory permit is available for multi-pitch climbing.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Permit Limitations"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen supervising more than one rope system, the holder of a climbing supervisory permit needs to designate a rope leader for each group. This rope leader can then act as the belayer. This designation lasts only for the current activity while the permit holder is supervising.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople designated as rope leaders should hold the relevant skills; including being able to competently belay, and be responsible enough to lead the rope system that has been set up. There is no problem with making young people rope leaders if they are up to the role, and it can be used as a useful development tool to encourage people to work towards gaining permits.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe permit holder needs to consider the type of belay device being used based on the experience and competency of the individual belayers / climbers.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Designations"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhere any element of climbing involves walking in\u00A0Terrain One\u00A0or\u00A0Terrain Two\u00A0then the relevant Hillwalking Permit is required by a member of the group. This includes walking to or from a climbing area.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Climbing and Hillwalking"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe weather can create risks for all adventurous activities. Permit holders should know where to find local weather information and should take historical weather conditions into consideration. Knowledge of weather conditions relevant to climbing is included in the assessment checklist.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Weather"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe permit holder of the activity should ensure that any outdoor natural rock climbing venue being used is accessible, has an access arrangement in place along with any routes into and out of the outdoor natural rock climbing venue.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen at and climbing on natural rock location a leave no trace approach should be used. The permit holder and volunteers should use an educational approach to engage the participants into these good practices.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERefer to \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/bmc-green-guides?id=1330\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022BMC Green Guide\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?id=1330\u0022\u003EBMC The Green Guide for Groups of Climbers\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/\u0022\u003EThe 7 Principles - Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Environmental Impact and access considerations."}]}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Climbing Assessment Checklist","buttonLink":{"name":"AC120905 Climbing Nov 2024","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/0ntpbbkh/ac120905-climbing-may-2025-reformatted.docx","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":null,"label":null},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.7\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.7\u0022\u003ERule 9a.7\u003C/a\u003E Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.8\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.8 Adult Groups undertaking activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.8\u0022\u003ERule 9a.8\u003C/a\u003E Adult groups undertaking activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9b.4.3 Climbing\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.3\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Climbing and Abseiling\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Rules relating to climbing and abseiling","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.1\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.1 Activity Rules \u2013 Application\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.1\u0022\u003ERule 9a.1\u003C/a\u003E All Activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.6\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.6\u0022\u003ERule 9a.6 \u003C/a\u003EUse of External Centres and Instructors\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"General activity rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/?orderBy=titleasc\u0026amp;category=Adventure\u0022 title=\u0022General Activity Guidance\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?orderBy=titleasc\u0026amp;category=Adventure\u0022\u003EActivities A-Z\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?category=Adventure\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?category=Adventure\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/climbing-faqs/\u0022 title=\u0022Climbing FAQ\u0027s\u0022\u003EClimbing FAQ\u0027s\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/activity-helmets/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity Helmets\u0022\u003EActivity helmets\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/ice-climbing/\u0022 title=\u0022Ice climbing\u0022\u003EIce Climbing\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/bouldering/\u0022 title=\u0022Bouldering\u0022\u003EBouldering\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://services.thebmc.co.uk/climbing-wall-finder\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Climbing wall finder (BMC)\u0022\u003EBMC climbing wall finder\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;- Find a climbing wall near you\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.thebmc.co.uk/health-benefits-of-climbing-and-hill-walking\u0022\u003EHealth benefits of climbing (BMC)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/bmc-green-guides\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022BMC Green Guide\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe Green Guide for Groups of Climbers (BMC)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335551550\u0026quot;:6,\u0026quot;335551620\u0026quot;:6,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe 7 Principles - Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (lnt.org)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335551550\u0026quot;:6,\u0026quot;335551620\u0026quot;:6,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional 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