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Rock climbing routes rendered in high-fidelity 3D
For the team behind Red Point, rock climbing is more than just a sport—it’s an exercise in precision and problem solving. Founders like Matthew know that planning a route requires detailed knowledge of the rock face, but traditional tools like guidebooks, paper maps, and 2D videos only tell part of the story. Capturing the full depth and complexity of natural cliffs demanded a new approach, one that could offer a virtual experience as close to the real thing as possible. That’s when they discovered Polycam.
High-fidelity scans of rock faces have always been a challenge. The typical solution? Pricey LiDAR systems costing upwards of $20,000, paired with bulky equipment that’s far from ideal for complex climbs. Matthew and his team explored alternatives like high-end camera rigs, but the extra weight and intricate setups weren’t a good fit for their agile, on-the-go approach.
With Polycam, the team could capture detailed 3D models of climbing surfaces, complete with LiDAR-level precision. Polycam’s versatility even allowed them to use drones for larger, hard-to-reach sections and selfie sticks for those tight spots—though that comes with its own set of risks. Suddenly, the need for heavy gear vanished, and they could focus on what really mattered: mapping the rocks with speed and accuracy.
Their field days start at the crack of dawn. Armed with phones, drones, and minimal gear, they hit the trail by 6 AM, aiming to scan as much as possible before batteries run dry or crowds of climbers arrive. The simplicity of Polycam makes the process feel more like an extension of the climbing experience rather than a cumbersome chore. By sunset, they’ve captured everything they need, uploading the data to Polycam’s cloud service for overnight processing. By morning, their 3D models are ready to explore—no complicated calibrations or adjustments required.
“Before Polycam, we were bogged down with expensive LiDAR systems that made everything slower,” says Matthew. “Now, we just grab a drone, get the scans done, upload to Polycam and move on. It’s streamlined our entire process.”
Polycam’s fast, accurate scans have unlocked a new level of route planning for climbers. Red Point’s team now produces stunning 3D topographic maps that climbers can virtually explore before ever reaching the cliff. These models capture every nuance of the rock face, from tiny handholds to chalk marks left by previous climbers, making it possible to plan routes with unprecedented detail. For climbers who prefer on-sighting—tackling a route without any prior knowledge—the ability to study these models beforehand has become a game-changer.
“Our models allow climbers to visualize their entire ascent,” Matthew explains. “It’s like standing right at the base of the wall, mapping out your moves in advance. It could be the end of on-sighting as we know it”.
Thanks to Polycam, Red Point has completely reimagined how climbing routes are documented and shared. What used to require a full day with heavy gear can now be accomplished in hours with just a phone. The 3D models are not only visually stunning but also practical, featuring annotations that climbers can mark up and share. Polycam’s ease of use and fast processing have made it an essential tool for the team, allowing them to build an ever-growing library of digital routes that climbers can access anywhere.
Polycam has transformed the way Red Point maps climbing surfaces, blending physical exploration with digital precision. The app’s capabilities go far beyond reducing the burden of equipment—it’s changed how the team operates, making route mapping faster, more accurate, and accessible to climbers around the world. “With Polycam in our toolkit, we’re not just mapping the rocks—we’re redefining the entire climbing experience,” Matthew says.
Red Point isn’t just a project; it’s a fully-fledged 3D climbing app designed to revolutionize how climbers plan their routes. It features detailed 3D topos, interactive maps, and vertical analysis tools. Users can search for crags, download models for offline exploration, and get precise insights on routes, all from their mobile devices. The app even includes trail maps for easy approach planning. It’s climbing reimagined, and it’s just the beginning.
Red-Point is a 3D climbing app offering detailed 3D topos, route maps, and verticality analysis for climbers. Users can search for crags, download models for offline use, and explore routes efficiently with interactive 3D visuals. The app simplifies planning with maps of approach trails and supports both iPad and mobile platforms. For more information, visit https://www.red-point.com.au/
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