The present invention is directed to a non-destructive, ergonomic climbing aid for use in climbing a columnar structure. The climbing aid comprises a body portion and a tensioning member for affixing the body to the columnar structure. The body comprises a contact surface, a support surface and a projecting portion joining between the contact surface and the support surface. In use, the contact surface has a substantially vertical axis and contacts the columnar structure. In use, the support surface supports a foot or hand and the projecting portion is cantilevered so that the support surface has no direct contact with the columnar structure. The support surface has a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the substantially vertical axis of the contact surface.