Conduct for Mountaineering and Climbing

The MCSA subscribes to the UIAA DECLARATION ON HIKING, CLIMBING AND MOUNTAINEERING:

Full Declaration (pdf, 1.86 Mb) | Poster (pdf, 178 Kb)

Mountaineers and Climbers should:

1. Access

  • Familiarise themselves with and observe all regulations regarding access to and conduct on State, Municipal and Private Land.

2. Community Relations

  • Be courteous to landowners, mountain dwellers and fellow visitors;
  • Respect other people’s needs for privacy and quiet; and
  • Assist and encourage other visitors to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

3. Responsibility and Safety

  • Ensure that they are familiar with safety concerns, both for themselves and others;
  • Not throw or roll rocks in the mountains; and
  • Be ready to help others in the event of an emergency or accident.

4. Cultural Heritage

  • Not disturb sites or objects of heritage or cultural value (e.g. archaeological items, bones and pottery); and
  • Not wet, touch or deface San rock art.

5. Natural Heritage

  • Not remove wild plants or flowers or damage them unnecessarily;
  • Not disturb animals or birds (and their nests) unnecessarily;
  • Not allow wildlife to become a nuisance, either by feeding them or leaving food or waste in accessible places; and
  • Not deface trees or rocks or leave any form of graffiti.

6. Fire

  • Take all the necessary precautions, especially in the use of stoves; and
  • Not make fires unless explicit permission has been obtained from the land owner or the responsible authority.

7. Waste

  • Remove all rubbish from mountain areas, including that of others;
  • Inspect campsites for waste before leaving;
  • Keep an adequate distance (i.e. at least 50m) away from camping spots, huts, caves, summit beacons, wetlands, rivers or lakes while defecating or urinating; and
  • Ensure that all excreta and toilet paper are buried where possible.

8. Prevent Water Pollution

  • Swim downstream from drinking water collection points;
  • Not enter streams or rivers just after applying sunscreen;
  • Use sand, grass, heated water or biodegradable soap instead of detergent for washing dishes;
  • Not use soap, detergent and toothpaste where these can cause water pollution; and
  • Not empty dirty water into streams or rivers.

9. Hiking and Camping

  • Stay on existing paths and avoid creating new ones;
  • Not take short cuts on steep slopes, since this accelerates erosion;
  • Use existing camp sites in preference to establishing new ones; and
  • Not clear vegetation, level ground or dig trenches unnecessarily.

10. Rock Climbing

  • Co-operate with managing authorities; and
  • Not place (or replace) bolts or anchors, without clearance from the relevant sport climbing/bolting sub-committee.

You can download the MCSA’s Code of Conduct for Mountaineering and Climbing below.

Download Code of Conduct