Climbing season is in full bloom all over the country, and we’re excited to kick off our first guest post with five helpful tips from evolv athlete Kevin Liu for taking care of the great outdoors when climbing outside:

–Leave no trace

Bring a plastic bag for garbage. One of my biggest pet peeves that I see outdoors are those climbing tape balls – you know the ones that are the perfect mold to someone’s finger 🙂

–Brush brush brush!

Brush the chalk off of whatever climb you were working on after you are done with it. The rain will come, and the chalk with run and stain the face. The chalk will also absorb moisture, which could result in mold building up on the hold and inevitably cause the rock to be slick. Leaving chalk up is like taping a climb outside, and no one likes a beta bomb.

–Be aware of your surroundings

Don’t stray off of the trail, and respect the boulders in their natural habitat. Mother Nature is a lady of time and patience, and it has taken her a long time to grow what ever fungus might be on the back of that boulder.

–Be mindful of where you go (to the bathroom)

Always try to pee closest to a tree, and furthest from moving water. As for #2, dig a hole – a generous one – do your business, and cover it up. (Pro tip: pack the dirt that you used to cover up the hole well; animals will get curious and eat it, and humans might roll their ankle in it).

-Enjoy the great outdoors!

‘Nuff said.

–Kevin Liu | Your average rock climbing outdoor lover