How to create a Verified Topo — complete guide

Creating a Verified Topo on 27 Crags is free — you don't need a Premium subscription to get started. Once published, you earn 50% of subscription revenue from climbers using your topo.

You can create topos on the 27 Crags website, in the app, or combine both — using whatever tool feels easiest for each step. If you have any questions along the way, contact Tim at tim(at)27crags(dot)com.

Step 1: Create a team

To create a Verified Topo, you need a team. Your team can be just you, or include many contributors — all team members can add, edit, and delete content on topos under the team's maintainership.

To create a team: go to your Profile settings → Teams → Create team. Fill in your team details and press Save.

Step 2: Create a topo and take maintainership

Before creating a new topo, search for it first — both by name and by browsing the map — to avoid duplicates.

On the website: If the topo doesn't exist yet, click Add a new topo in the top right of the world map. Zoom into the right location, place the marker, and give the topo a name. Once created, click Edit and select your team to take maintainership.

In the app: Tap the "+" button in the bottom right of the world map to add a new topo. To take maintainership of an existing topo, scroll to the bottom of the topo overview and follow the steps there.

Step 3: Add spots and parking

Next, add your spots (sectors and boulders) and parking to the map. Click anywhere on the map and choose the right option. You can move markers later by dragging and dropping, or by entering coordinates manually.

Parking is especially important — navigation in the app will direct climbers to the parking location.

Note: It’s not currently possible to add a parking from the app, but we’re working on this!

Tip: You can also add spots directly in the app using your GPS location when you're at the topo.

Step 4: Add topo images

On the website: Go to Topos in the navigation bar. Select the correct spot and click "+" to add topo images.

In the app: Open a spot and tap the pen icon to add a topo image.

Topo images on a Verified Topo remain hidden to everyone outside the team until the topo is published.

Step 5: Draw routes on your topo images

On the website: Click Edit → Draw lines next to the topo image. Click on the image to draw route lines. You can draw new routes or add lines for routes already drawn on other images within the same spot. Click Undo if you make a mistake, then Save when done.

In the app: Add routes from the topo overview or the route list, then draw the lines in the topo image view.

Tip: At least 90% of routes need to have lines drawn before you can send the topo for evaluation.

Step 6: Add climbing and overview photos

Great photos inspire climbers to visit your topo. In the topo overview, click Add photos to upload climbing shots and atmosphere images.

Step 7: Add access information and topo description

Access information is one of the most important parts of your topo. Go to the Access section, click Edit, and cover these points:

• Any special rules or access restrictions

• How to drive there and where to park

• Whether public transport is an option

• How to reach the spots on foot from the parking

Topo description is your sales pitch. Think about what you'd want to know before visiting somewhere new: rock type, climbing style, best season, how quickly it dries, quality of landings or cliff base, family-friendliness. Mention some of the best routes and add a bit of history if you know it.

Step 8: Send your topo for evaluation

When you're happy with the topo, review the topo evaluation checkto make sure everything is in order, then click Review to send it for evaluation.

The evaluation takes 2–7 business days. You'll be notified by email when the topo is published, or if anything needs to be completed first.