Basic Rack to Climb Arapiles

WIRES

The fundamental core of every rack, wires, also known as rocks and stoppers. These are designed for tapered cracks, and are an absolute must-have for climbing at Arapiles. I spent the majority of my first decade of climbing with wires only. A lot can be accomplished with just a couple of sets.

Always use these with solid gate carabiners to rack your wire; they let your wire sit neatly on the carabiner for quick access under stressful situations. Pictured are the Edelrid Kiwi Oval Gates

CLIMBING SHOP'S PICKS

Best – DMM Wallnuts and DMM Alloy Offsets.

Wallnuts for traditional tapered cracks, and Alloy Offsets for flared (inward and outward) tapered cracks.

Value – Wild Country Classic Rock set.

CAMS

For those tricky parallel-sided cracks, you really can’t go past a good set of cams. They provide secure, adjustable protection where nuts won’t quite fit, making them essential gear for any trad climber on the textured sandstone of Mount Arapiles. Durable, and versatile, cams are a must-have for building a reliable rack and keeping your placements solid on every pitch.

CLIMBING SHOP'S PICKS

Best – DMM Dragon Cam

Value – Wild country Friends Set (pictured)

CARABINERS

Racking your cams on matching coloured carabiners makes gear selection faster and more intuitive. By pairing each cam with a carabiner of the same colour, you can keep your rack organised and efficient for when you’re on the wall. When needing the right size, with a quick glance at your gear loop, you’ll spot the correct cam instantly. Colour-coded racking saves time, and reduces fumbling. It’s a pivotal setup for smooth trad climbing and gear management.

CLIMBING SHOPS PICK

Pictured – Camp Nano 22 rack pack

We stock a range of rack packs from different brands, so you can choose the setup that feels right for you.

NUT TOOL

You’ll definitely want to get your gear back, so every rack needs a reliable nut tool or key for easy gear removal. A good nut tool helps you clean placements smoothly and recover your wires and cams without damage.We stock a range of nut tools to suit every climber’s preference. Keep one racked where you can reach it; it’s one of those small but essential pieces of gear that saves time, money, and frustration at the end of every pitch.

CLIMBING SHOP’S PICK

Pictured – the Wild Country Pro key, a solid performer and the leash is a must-have in my opinion.

QUICKDRAWS

Now we get to extendable, or alpine, quickdraws, a staple on any trad climber’s rack. Most climbers carry at least a couple, while many prefer six or more for longer routes. Each one consists of two carabiners and a 60cm Dyneema sling, offering versatility on the wall. At the shop, we often have pre-made alpine draws that provide better value than buying the components individually. These can be used clipped short, like a standard quickdraw, or extended to the full 60cm to reduce rope drag and keep your protection running clean. Extendable quickdraws are a simple piece of gear that makes a big difference on multi-pitch and trad climbs.

WIRE GATE QUICKDRAWS

Of course, you’ll want some standard wire gate quickdraws. Lightweight and reliable, wire gates clip smoothly and reduce rope drag, making them a favourite for trad and multi-pitch routes at Arapiles.

In total, I’d recommend carrying at least 12 quickdraws, a mix of extendable and standard so you’re well prepared for the variety of routes on Arapiles

CLIMBING SHOP’S PICK

Pictured – the Mad Rock Concorde 6 pack, which represents the best value quickdraw we sell.

120 CM SLINGS

A 120cm sling is one of the most versatile pieces on your rack. Whether made from lightweight Dyneema for compact strength or durable nylon for a bit more stretch and abrasion resistance, it’s perfect for extending placements to keep your rope running straight and minimise drag on wandering routes. This is something you’ll definitely appreciate on the long pitches at Arapiles.

In a pinch, it can also double as a tether when clipping into anchors or setting up an abseil. It's simple and reliable, and much cheaper than a personal anchor system. A good 120cm sling is a must-have that lets you save your budget for the gear that really counts.

CLIMBING SHOP’S PICK

Pictured - Rock Empire PA 16mm Open Sling

SCREWGATE CARABINERS

Last but not least, you’ll want a couple of screwgate carabiners. These locking carabiners are essential for building safe belays, connecting to anchors, or securing your belay device. The screw-lock mechanism gives you extra security where it matters most, reducing the chance of accidental unclipping. They’re perfect for everything from setting up an abseil to clipping into gear at the end of a long pitch. It’s always worth carrying at least two, as you’ll find plenty of uses for them around the crag at Arapiles.

CLIMBING SHOP’S PICK

Best – Mad Rock Hulk (pictured)

Alternative – It comes in a twistlock version, the Mad Rock Hulk Twistlock, which is only a few dollars dearer if that's your preference.