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So you want to get out on the rock face and maybe even try climbing El Capitan, rock climbing for paraplegics and quadriplegics with good upper body strength isn’t impossible but you will need some slightly modified equipment to make thing go smoothly.

Normal climbing harnesses are generally not a good idea, the leg loops are too narrow and can easily cut circulation in your legs, especially if you lack feeling in them(which most of us do, lets face it) . Apart from that you also run the risk of slipping out of a normal leg loop and waist belt harness if for some reason you manage to turn upside down. The low tie-in point and the average wheelchair users narrow hips aren’t a good combination.

To combat that problem the best practice is to have either a full body harness, or a waist harness coupled with a chest harness so you have a higher tie-in point. This will give you a more comfortable upright climbing position with less effort, and no chance of slipping out due to the shoulder straps.

But still the problem of thin and narrow straps remain on most multi purpose climbing harnesses, for added comfort and protection it is generally best to go for a big wall harness. These are the type harnesses used by able-bodied climbers doing big multi-pitch and multi-day climbs where they will be spending extended periods of time sitting in the harness. They feature extra wide legs loops and waist belts with lots of padding to relieve pressure. 

Mark Wellman, who pretty much invented rock climbing for people in wheelchairs, has gone one stage further and produced a specialist climbing harness specifically for paraplegics and quadriplegics looking for that climbing buzz. A pair of full length over trousers with heavy duty protection against abrasions from grinding against the rock face on the way up are built into a heavily padded big wall harness. These ‘rock chaps’ are what took Mark up El Capitan and are our favorite here at team pushingthelimits.

For extra comfort and protection from pressure related problems when climbing, a great piece of equipment is the Jay Protector, a small gel filled cushion you can strap onto your butt before you sit inside the rock chaps. Great for bumming around on the rocky ground at the base of a climb without worry about getting any sores, cuts or bruises and a valuable piece of pressure distribution when actually climbing.

Chest harnesses usually dont need any adaption of special qualities other than for personal preference and comfort, the most basic work fine, but if you want to be comfortable (tip: dont start climbing!) and like to look cool by hanging tons of gear and pro off harness loops then go with a big wall chest harness too. Yates are a clear leader in big wall gear, and used as the basis of Marks rock chaps, their Big Wall Rack chest harness is more comfortable than our couch.

The act of climbing itself for people in wheelchairs doesn’t involve a whole lot of rock, get used to hauling yourself up the rope rather than looking for the next hand or foot placement. Using a normal rope ascender to make your way up can be pretty frustrating, so use one that has been adapted with a pull-up bar to make those full body heaves more effective (but just as grueling/rewarding).

So get geared up and get on the rock.


Mark Wellman Rock Chaps and adaptive climbing gear
Jay Protector gel cushion
Yates Big Wall Rack chest harness