Stardust currently stands as the most visited climbing crag in the UAE, which was exactly the intention of the UAE Bolting Fund:
To find a crag in the UAE that had potential for many routes, of many different grades, for the community to enjoy. We are glad
that we found it and we are thankful to the few who have put their time, energy, and money into developing Stardust into what it has become.

With this growing popularity, Stardust is also facing new challenges. It is our common and individual responsibility to mitigate these issues. If you come to Stardust to enjoy its magic, you are responsible for preserving the magic too. 

This users’ guide is based on PRINCIPLES. “Principle: a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.”

THE PRINCIPLES ARE: BE SAFE, BE KIND, BE RESPECTFUL.
These are not rules, but rather an appeal to each visitor to use their common sense, to learn about climbing safety, to adopt a respectful climbing and camping etiquette and to become positive members of the UAE climbing community.

BE SAFE

1. Learn, practice and teach safe climbing techniques. You, your partner and all the climbers around you will benefit from it. If you don’t do it for you, do it for the rest of us. A severe accident at the crag will jeopardize the access to climbers to this area.
2. Share positive recommendations for safety. If you see someone being unsafe, kindly suggest a safer way of doing things. If someone suggests a safer way to you, listen up and take mental notes. There are many right ways, try to find the safest.
3. Life savers for Stardust:
   1. Wear a helmet (leaders, belayers, spectators). One of the leading causes for rock climbing fatalities is trauma to the head, which can be greatly mitigated by wearing a helmet, especially during a head-first fall or due to rock fall (which is common at this crag).
   2. Bring the right equipment. Make sure your rope is long enough and you have enough draws (some climbs at Stardust are longer than your usual 30m13 bolt sport route).
   3. Partner-check and self “double-check” before starting the climb, at anchor, and during lowering/rappel.
4. Check weather forecasts. Have emergency numbers with you (they are included at the end of the topo), have an action plan, carry a first aid kit, and learn/update your first aid techniques.
5. Learn/refresh rescue and self-rescue techniques for climbers, especially if you are venturing into the multi-pitch territory.

BE KIND

1. Look around you. You are not alone at Stardust and each individual at the crag deserves to have a positive experience.
2. Don’t hog routes. You may not be the only one working on that project. Communicate and share with others.
3. Keep noise levels down during the day. Climbers and belayers need to clearly communicate commands to each other. If you like a soundtrack for your send, ask around if it is ok to have music at a low volume.
4. Keep quiet hours at night. Climbers need to rest, locals and their goats need calm, and wildlife lives here. You are a guest to a public natural space, be a good guest.
5. Share Stardust! Bring your friends and new climbers, just take it upon you to pass these principles along to them, so Startdust and the UAE climbing community keep on thriving.

BE RESPECTFUL

1. Respect nature or go home. Bring your own firewood, avoid littering, and use the restrooms.
2. Respect local residents. They have agreed to us developing their land for our recreational use and have even provided some infrastructure for our benefit and comfort. They deserve nothing but our utmost respect: Keep noise levels down, observe quiet hours at night, and avoid disturbing their goats (keep dogs on leash if they can’t help themselves). DO NOT turn Stardust into a “party campsite”. The owners of the land have opened their doors to climbers, in return we promised to respect the place. These doors can easily close if we betray that agreement.
3. Respect infrastructure. Avoid pitching your tent in the gazebo/common area. Conserve water (short showers, effective dishwashing). Pack-out your own trash bags (the canister in place is only for small items, it is not meant for general garbage collection). Keep the bathrooms clean.
4. Respect the developers’ vision. Check in with them before bolting. Use the crag for climbing and caving practice only. Stardust is not meant to be a campsite for large groups that just want to hang out (nothing wrong with that, this is just not the place).
5. If you are profiting from courses at the crag, contributing in whatever way you can: Donating bolts or engaging in community service. Be part of good Karma.

RAK Hospital Emergency Room: +971 7 222 5555

Saqr Hospital, Ras Al Khaima: +971 7 222 3666

Al Zahrawi Hospital, Ras Al Khaima: +971 7 228 8544/ +971 7 228 8141

Obeid Allah Hospital, Ras Al Khaima: +971 7 246 5501

National Ambulance: 800 436 7677

Mountain Rescue - Civil Defense - 997

Security - Police - 999/ 998

General - Fire Civil Defense -997

Animal Welfare - RAK Animal Welfare Center - +971 56 357 6029

Ludmil Trenkov

Khajag Nazarian

Oliver Schwesinger

Eric Claudel

Francesco Arneodo

Ivan Laskiv

Magdalena Martina Nowak

Rob Low

Theo Giani

Ioana Maris

Sergio Juarez

Alberto Michelotti

Federico Galbieri

Vlad D Mazure

Emily Winchip

Adam Powell