FIRST TIME CLIMBING?
Our Intro to Climbing class is the perfect introduction to the world of climbing! Your instructor will guide you through the three types of climbing we offer for beginners: autobelays, rope climbing, and bouldering. Sign up for this 90-minute class here.
If you’d prefer to get started without a class, our staff can provide a brief safety orientation when you arrive – no reservation required!
Below are brief summaries of the different types of climbing we offer at our Lincoln Heights and Echo Park locations. Visiting with kids? Check our notes on that here.
BOULDERING
Bouldering is a form of climbing in which our only protection is the mat or crash pad below. There are no ropes or harnesses involved, and the tallest boulder is 16 ft. You can boulder on your own or with friends, and all you’ll need to get started are climbing shoes and some chalk.
Our Echo Park location is exclusively a bouldering gym, while our Lincoln Heights
location offers both bouldering and roped climbing.
INTRO TO CLIMBING
The perfect introduction to the world of climbing! Take this 90-minute class to learn about the three types of climbing we have available to you as a beginner: autobelays, rope climbing, and bouldering.
Prerequisites: Must be 12 or older to take this class.
ROPED CLIMBING
In addition to bouldering, our Lincoln Heights location offers several types of roped climbing. The walls in this area are taller, ranging from about 30-50ft. The protection that we use in this area comes in the form of autobelays and ropes, which we attach to our climbing harness.
Autobelays
Autobelays are devices that control a climber’s descent back to the ground once they let go of the wall. By using an autobelay, you can climb routes on taller walls without a partner. To get started, you will just need rental gear and a 5-minute safety orientation from one of our staff members. We have a total of 10 autobelays in our facility, which means you will have access to dozens of different routes without needing a partner or belay skills.
Weight capacity: 22 to 309 lbs. (10 to 140kg)
Top Roping (Belay Certification Required)
In top roping, a rope passes through an anchor at the top of the wall. The climber ties into one end of the rope, and their partner attaches to the other end in order to belay. In the event of a fall, it is the belayer’s job to catch the climber using a special belay device and proper belaying technique.
To get started, you and your partner will each need a pair of climbing shoes, harnesses, chalk, and a belay device to share between the two of you. Anyone planning to belay at our facility must pass our belay test (regardless of experience). You can ask the front desk to take the test and receive your Top Rope belay certification card once you’ve passed!
If you have not yet learned how to belay, sign up for our Intro to Belaying class, which is offered multiple times per week. Learning how to top rope will greatly increase the number of routes you will be able to access in our gym.
Weighted balls are available in the rope area for top rope belayers/climbers who have a significant weight difference. A weight difference of 25 lbs. or more is considered significant.
INTRO TO BELAYING
A great next step after “Intro to Climbing!” This 90-minute class will prepare you for our top rope certification test. Learn the figure-eight climbing knot, partner safety checks, proper belay technique, and more.
Prerequisites: Must be 14 or older to take this class.
AUTOBELAY: HOW TO
No partner, but want to climb the longer routes in the rope area?
Learn to use our autobelays safely and have access to all 10 autobelays throughout the gym!
Prerequisites: None required.
Lead Climbing (Lead Belay Certification Required)
Lead climbing is a type of climbing where the climber, or leader, is tied into one end of a rope and clips the rope into hanging quickdraws (double-ended carabiners) as they progress through the route. Unlike with top roping, in which the rope is already threaded through an anchor at the top before the climber begins, lead climbing begins with the entire rope on the ground.
OHMs are free to rent for lead belayers/climbers who have a significant weight difference. A weight difference of 25 lbs. or more is considered significant.
Anyone planning to lead climb and/or belay at our facility must pass our lead test (regardless of experience). You can ask the front desk to take the test and receive your Lead certification card once you’ve passed!
INTRO TO LEAD CLIMBING
Taking this class does not certify you to lead in the gym.