The goal of https://openclimbing.org is to offer a non-commercial alternative to traditional climbing apps. Instead of filling private databases, we decided to design a structure for mapping climbing routes directly into OpenStreetMap.

This way, all data in the app is fully open and can be freely used or edited by anyone.

Image: Crag with marked climbing routes in Hlubočepy, Czechia

Key Features of openclimbing.org

• Both the database and the code are completely open, so anyone can contribute with content or code. Thanks to the open data approach, anyone can create new ways to use or visualize the data.

• Each climbing route has defined GPS coordinates, making it easier to find in the terrain. This is big advantage but also a limitation – you cannot add routes without it.

Image: Climbing routes on the map

• Optimized for mobile devices, so it can be used directly in the field.
• Integration of the map with photo EXIF data – you can see on the map where a photo was taken and where climbing routes are located.

3D climbing maps

• Fully mapped climbing crags can be displayed in 3D – tilt the map (ctrl/cmd+drag)

Image: Kačák climbing area, Czechia

Image: Uskedalen climbing area, Norway

• A basic climbing logbook for tracking ascents, with the option to display them directly on the map.
• For drawing climbing routes onto photos, we use the wikimedia_commons:path specification, and the photos are stored in Wikimedia Commons. Additionally, we use a climbing tagging scheme documented directly on the OSM Wiki, which is also supported by the iD editor.

Grade systems conversion

• The app includes a converter for most commonly used climbing grade systems.

Stats

• We generate our own climbing tiles on the map, where we display:
  • 26,000+ climbing areas
  • 22,000+ climbing routes
  • 1,700+ climbing routes drawn on photos
  • 8,000+ artificial climbing walls
  • 200+ via ferratas

We are looking forward to any feedback!

Thank you for your support.

@zbycz and @jvaclavik