First-timer guides

What to expect on your first outdoor climb in Perth

3 min read

By EvanACIA qualified climbing guide and registered mental health nurse

A climber in an orange helmet starting up a granite slab on a top rope, with gum trees and boulders behind.

If you've never climbed on real rock, it's natural to wonder what you're signing up for. The short answer: a relaxed few hours in the Perth Hills with a small group, a lot of help, and no pressure. Here's how a first session usually runs, step by step.

Before the day

You pick a session, date and group size online and pay a deposit to lock it in. Then everyone in your group gets a link to fill in their own details and sign their waiver. It takes about 5 minutes. The form asks about anything that could affect you on the day, and only I see those answers.

We keep an eye on the forecast and make the weather call by 6pm the day before. If it's not safe to climb, we'll find you a new date that suits. Your confirmation email has the exact meeting point, parking and a map, plus a list of what to bring.

Meeting at the crag

We climb at places like Mountain Quarry in Greenmount National Park and Stathams Quarry at Gooseberry Hill, both about 30 minutes from the Perth CBD. From the car park there's a walk in of somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes, depending on the crag. It's an easy to moderate bush walk, and a good chance to chat and settle in.

Safety briefing and gear

Every session starts with a safety briefing. I'll fit you with a harness, climbing shoes and a helmet, and we'll go through how everything works. All the gear is provided, so you don't need to buy anything. Then we cover the basics on the ground:

  • How to tie in with a figure eight knot, and how to check your partner's knot.
  • How a top rope works: the rope runs up to an anchor above you and back down, so it catches you if you slip.
  • The calls climbers use, so everyone always knows what's happening.
  • How belaying works, if you'd like to learn to manage the rope for someone else.
Evan and a climber in a white helmet checking a rope and belay device together at the crag.
Before anyone leaves the ground, we check every knot, harness and belay device together.

Your first climb

Then it's onto the rock. We start on easy routes, and you go at your own pace. You're on a top rope the whole time, you choose how high you go, and you can come down whenever you like. Lots of first-timers surprise themselves, but reaching the top is never the point. Getting a feel for the rock is.

Nervous is normal. We go at your pace, on easy routes, with a top rope the whole time.

With up to 4 climbers per guide, there's plenty of time on the rock and real coaching, rather than waiting around in a queue. Between climbs there's time for a snack, some water and a look at the view.

Booking your first session

Sessions run Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with morning, midday and afternoon starts. From December to February we run early or late instead, to avoid the heat. For a first go, the 3 hour Taster or the 5 hour Go Outdoor Climbing session are both a great place to start. If you have any questions before you book, just get in touch.