Not using safety ropes during rock climbing (that is, ”free rock climbing") is a very high-risk activity, and even experienced rock climbers are at risk of serious injury or even death. Nevertheless, if you decide to go free rock climbing, the following measures can help reduce the risk, but it is important to keep in mind that these measures do not completely eliminate the risk, and free rock climbing is always a very dangerous behavior. ### 1. **Choose a suitable route** -**Moderate difficulty**: Choose a route that you are completely confident and can easily complete. When climbing freely, the difficulty of the route should be much lower than your ability level. -**Familiar with the route**: Before free rock climbing, climb the same route multiple times under protected conditions to ensure that you know every movement, every catch and landing point well. -**Short route priority**: Choose a shorter route to reduce the possibility of long-term exposure to risks. ### 2. **Fully warm up and prepare** -**Physical preparation**: Ensure that the body is in the best condition, perform adequate warm-up, activate muscles and joints, and reduce the risk of injury. -**Psychological preparation**: Free rock climbing requires extremely high psychological quality to ensure that you are in a calm and focused state and avoid distraction or excessive tension. ### 3. **Check the environment and equipment** -**Check the rock wall**: Make sure that the rock wall is in good condition and there are no loose rocks or other potential hazards. -**Suitable shoes**: Wear suitable rock climbing shoes to ensure good grip and control. -**Powder bag**: Use a powder bag to keep your hands dry and increase the stability of your grip. ### 4. **Stay focused and in control** -**Precise movements**: Every movement must be precise and stable, and avoid hasty or unnecessary risks. -**Breathing control**: Maintain even breathing to avoid uncontrolled movements due to tension. -**Evaluate at any time**: During the climbing process, evaluate your status and the difficulty of the route at any time. If you feel uneasy or uncertain, stop immediately. ### 5. **Team support** -**Experienced partners**: Even if you do not use ropes, it is recommended to have experienced partners present who can provide help or advice in an emergency. -**Communication**: Maintain good communication with your partners to make sure they understand your plan and status. ### 6. **Understand and accept risks** -**Risk assessment**: Before deciding on free rock climbing, fully understand and evaluate all possible risks, including the possibility of falling, injury or even death. -**Psychological preparation**: Accept the extreme dangers of free rock climbing and be prepared for the worst. ### 7. **Gradual improvement** -**Step by step**: If you decide to try free rock climbing, it is recommended to start with a very simple route and gradually increase the difficulty to gain experience and confidence. ### 8. **Emergency plan** -**Emergency plan**: Make an emergency plan to understand how to seek help or save yourself in the event of an accident. ### Important reminder： Free rock climbing is an extremely dangerous activity, and even experienced rock climbers may die due to a small mistake. **It is strongly recommended to use safety ropes and other protective measures** under all circumstances to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Free rock climbing is not only a challenge to personal ability, but also a great adventure in life. You must think twice before you go. If you are interested in rock climbing, it is recommended to do it under the guidance of an experienced instructor and always follow safety regulations. Safety always comes first.