A figure eight knot is a powerful knot but it never hurts to have a fisherman’s knot as a back-up.A strong core is advantageous.Ask if the person is finished with a route before you start grabbing ropes.Balance -- that’s what it’s all about…Be attentive.Be careful where you’re stepping and watch out for overhead traffic.Be gung ho or don’t come at all. (Provided by Patti)Be helpful to the newbies or someone struggling to ascend a route.Be responsible.Cheer for people – encourage them.Communication is important.Don’t be afraid to really stretch out and reach for the hold that you want; you might bend but you won’t break.Don’t step on anyone’s chalk bucket.Feel the fear and climb anyway.Feel the fear and jump for a hold beyond your reach.Flexibility is useful.If one technique does not work, reposition your feet, shift your weight and try a different approach.If someone is climbing alone, ask the person if they would like for you to catch them.If you see someone struggling to secure the auto-belay, help.It might not be today and it might not be tomorrow, but you will eventually make it over the arête.It’s not if you get to the top, it’s when you get to the top.Muscle memory is a beautiful thing.Never give up on making it to the top, especially when people are taking a tour of the gym and standing right beneath you.Relax.Share your knowledge.She who giggles first slips off the foothold last.Some days you'll be in the climbing zone and some days you will not.Take a break, breathe and reassess the situation then keep heading toward the top.Wait your turn.Watch out for the children.Yoga helps.You can never have enough belay partners.You might fall but your belayer will catch you.Your framework is strong.Fellow rock climbers, do you have anything to add? What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from fitness activities and endurance events?
