You know what Jams My Cams? Rules. There are a lot of “rules” in climbing… or maybe there’s just one?

Some are comp rules. You have 4 minutes. Make sure 2 people sign your score card. Areas outside the taped boundaries are off.  Don’t write down climbs you didn’t do.

Some are social rules amongst climbers. Don’t spray beta (unless you ask first).  Be kind and patient with the public, you may be the only climber they interact with. Don’t spray about your abilities, including the dreaded humble-brag. Offer to share your consumables; tape, chalk, beverage, and other.  Be honest about your sends, what you did, and how you did it. Don’t spray.

Some are social rules in general. Share the outdoor spaces with other user groups. Don’t bully, demean, or harass people. Say please and thank you.  Don’t steal stuff. Be excellent to each other.

Some are safety rules for our hobby. Keep your brake hand on the brake strand. Always warn if you are calling off the spot. Build safe anchors whenever possible. Don’t endanger your partner for sake of your ego.

Some are ethical rules that transcend our hobby. Leave no trace.  Respect closures, access rules, and property rules. Wash off your tick marks. Mind the vegetation and stay on trails.  Leave the glue at home.  Leave the chisel next to the glue.

There’s one rule that I feel sums them all up, and its emblazoned on the Judges shirts for every Triple Crown.  Sometimes its prominent, sometimes its illegibly small, but its always the same 4 words that encompass all of the above. If I ever find myself in a quandary, unsure if I’m doing the right thing, I just repeat it to myself until the decision comes clear. No, its not “What Would Sharma Do?”

The only rule is this:

Don’t be a Dick.

That’s it.  That’s all there is to it. And if you ever find yourself being a Nixon, apologize, say you’re sorry.  And remember, if you have to say you’re sorry twice, you weren’t. Learn from your mistakes, we all make them. There’s been a lot of drama in our community in past years that could have been avoided if people had followed the one rule, and while on the whole I think climbers are doing better at it than the general public, there’s always room to improve.

Apologies to my hardcore climber buddies named Richard.