Yosemite Rock Climbing Information Yosemite is one of the world's greatest climbing areas. Climbers here can enjoy an endless variety of challenges, from the sustained crack climbs of the Merced river canyon to pinching crystals on sun drenched Tuolumne domes to multi-day aid climbs on the big walls of the Valley. Yosemite is not just a climber's playground, however, its walls and crags are an integral part of a larger ecosystem. It is protected as wilderness, and was set aside for people to enjoy in a natural state for generations to come.

As the number of climbers visiting the park has increased through the years, the impacts of climbing have become much more obvious.  Some of those impacts include: soil compaction, erosion, and vegetation loss in parking areas, at the base of climbs, and on approach and descent trails, destruction of cliffside vegetation and lichen, disturbance of cliff-dwelling animals, litter, water pollution from improper human waste disposal, and the visual blight of chalk marks, pin scars, bolts, rappel slings, and fixed ropes.  Many of these impacts can be eliminated or greatly reduced by following the minimum impact practices outlined in the conservation guidelines. The impact of your actions may seem insignificant, but when multiplied by the thousands of people who climb here every year they can have a significant, long lasting affect.

Your help is needed to ensure that Yosemite remains a beautiful and healthy place for the future.

What you can do

1. Read and follow the guidelines and regulations in the conservation section of this page.
2. If you see climbers who are not following the guidelines, talk to them. Explain how they can minimize their impact, and why it is important that they do so.
3. Clean up after others. Pick up trash when you see it, or return with friends on a rest day and do a thorough clean-up. Take part in organized clean-ups and other projects.
4. Climb safely! Rescues endanger rescuers' lives, are expensive, and cause a lot of impact. Read the safety section of this page and the "staying alive" section of the current valley guidebook.
5. Keep informed about closed areas, and respect these closures.

Safety
More than 100 climbing accidents occur in Yosemite each year; of these, 15-25 parties require a Park Service rescue.  Climbing in Yosemite has inherent risks and climbers assume complete responsibility for their own safety. The Park Service does not maintain routes; loose rock and other hazards can exist on any route. Rescue is not a certainty. If you get into difficulties, be prepared to get yourself out of them. Know what to do in any emergency, including injuries, evacuations, unplanned bivouacs, or rapid changes in weather. Safety depends on having the right gear and the right attitude. Practice self-rescue techniques before you need them!  Courtesy is an element of safety. Falling rock or gear is a serious hazard. Be careful when climbing above others. Do not create a dangerous situation by passing another party without their consent. Be sure to read the section on "Staying Alive" in the Yosemite Valley guidebook.

Emergency Information

• The Yosemite Medical Clinic, located between Yosemite Village and the Church Bowl, is fully equipped to handle climbing injuries. If you cannot get to the clinic on your own, dial "911" on any Yosemite telephone for assistance.
• If you are injured or stranded while on a climb and cannot self-rescue, yell for help to obtain assistance.  If you require a helicopter evacuation, do only and exactly what you are told by rescue personnel.
• If you require a rescue, and it is determined that your own negligence got you into trouble, you may be charged with "creating
  a hazardous condition" . There is no climber registration in Yosemite. The Park Service is not watching out for you...you're on your own.

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