Risk Management Strategies
As with any form of recreation, climbing has its risks. But climbers have systems in place to manage these risks—whether belaying, using the appropriate climbing gear, or assessing hazards around them. Not all landowners and managers share this in-depth knowledge of how climbers manage risk. And as a result, the perception of risk associated with climbing is often overstated and misunderstood.
As a landowner or manager, there are numerous layers of liability protections to protect you. These include state recreational use statutes, case law, warning signage, and other basic strategies. These protections are based on the premise that climbers assume the risks associated with their use of the land and there are certain tools and layers of liability protection that help reinforce this principle.
Use our Resource Center below to learn more. Together with local climbing organizations, the Access Fund can help landowners and managers with viable options for public access that mitigate risk and liability. Contact us at [email protected] or call 303.545.6772 to discuss partnership opportunities.
This information is provided as general background and the Access Fund is not providing legal advice. Laws vary from state to state and change regularly. Interested parties should always seek qualified legal counsel by consulting their own private counsel in their local jurisdiction.
Resource Center
Recreational Use Statutes are the first line of defense for landowners. Learn how to research your state's statute here.
Access agreements are a great tool for reopening closed climbing areas or providing public access to new areas.
Warning signage is a useful risk management and climber education strategy to consider on private land. This is a sample sign used for an Access Fund property.
An overview providing the basics for setting up a recreational lease with a landowner or manager.
General liability insurance can provide an additional layer of liability protection. Access Fund or local climbing organizations can provide additional insured status via access agreements, but it is important to understand what it does and does not cover.
A grant from the Climbing Conservation Grant Program can kick start acquisition, stewardship, policy, research, local support, and education projects.
The Risk Management Overview provides a general background on climbing risk management tools and strategies.
There are multiple ways to manage risk. This document takes a look at how various private landowners apply risk management strategies to open up climbing on their land.