About The Climbing Primer
Rock climbing and bouldering for complete beginners. Almost anyone who can move around comfortably can start, and most people begin indoors at a climbing gym. Bouldering needs barely any gear, so you can try it with rented shoes and a bit of chalk. We walk you through holds, footwork, and how grades work, and show that climbing is friendlier and safer than it looks once you learn the fundamentals properly.
The Climbing Primer is an independent resource focused on rock climbing and bouldering for beginners — gym climbing, bouldering, top-rope, gear, climbing shoes, holds and footwork, V-scale and roped grades, training, belaying, falling, and safety. We publish practical, carefully researched guides for readers who want clear answers without the fluff — whether you are just getting started or looking to sharpen what you already know.
What we do
Every article is written and edited to be genuinely useful: accurate, easy to follow, and grounded in real-world experience. We cover topics across Getting Started, Gear & Equipment, Bouldering, Technique & Movement, Training & Progression, Safety & Skills and update our guides as best practices evolve. We are not affiliated with any of the brands, products, or organizations we may reference; mentions are for the reader's benefit, not an endorsement.
Who writes The Climbing Primer
The Climbing Primer is written by Petra Lindgren. Petra climbs at her local gym three nights a week and writes beginner climbing guides with safety checks baked into every step.
How we stay free
The Climbing Primer is supported by advertising. We display ads (including ads served by third parties such as Google AdSense) so that our content can remain free to read. Advertising never dictates our editorial recommendations. See our Privacy Policy for details on how ads and analytics work on this site.
Editorial standards & disclaimer
The Climbing Primer is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any gym, brand, manufacturer, or organization. Climbing carries an inherent risk of injury. This content is educational and is not a substitute for hands-on instruction from a qualified instructor. Learn belaying, falling, and outdoor, lead, and trad skills in person, use properly rated (UIAA/CE) gear, and always check your systems and your partner before you climb.
Our content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional where appropriate.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or feedback are always welcome. Reach us at runbookify@gmail.com or visit our contact page.