Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fitness & Training Areas, age 12+
    Yoga & Fitness Classes, age 12+
    Top-rope Belaying, age 12+
    Lead Climb & Belay, age 14+

    Children <12 need supervision from someone 16+ at all times

  • Belaying is the process of using a rope and a belay device to mitigate the risks taken in the event of a climber’s fall. We offer a Belay On course that provides you with the knowledge necessary to belay properly. If you are confident in belaying, you can test off with our front desk staff and receive your top rope belay tag.

  • Top-roping refers to a style of climbing where there is an established rope and anchor on “top” of a wall or cliff. When you walk into a climbing gym and see the ropes anchored and ready to use at the top of the walls, it is considered top rope climbing. In order to climb on these ropes you will need a belay partner and knowledge of how to belay properly. Top roping is a great place to start for those new to climbing!

    Doing this outside requires additional knowledge beyond top-rope belaying skills such as anchor building, repelling, and more.

    Talk to the front desk or sign up for a climber’s education course.

  • Lead climbing is a more advanced style of climbing. It allows a climber to establish points of protection as they climb up a route while “leading” their rope up the wall. This is done in an effort to secure the rope to the top of the wall by using an anchor. The climber clips their rope into the protection points as they ascend the wall. If you are confident in top-rope climbing and are interested in taking your climbing to the next level, learn more about our "Lead It" course!

    Belaying for a lead climber requires special skill and knowledge that allows you to work with the lead climber to make sure they have proper slack as they move up the wall. In order to lead climb at Vertical View, you must pass a lead climbing assessment with our front desk staff. This assessment analyzes your lead belaying and lead climbing skills. In order to take the assessment, you must provide your own lead climbing partner and a climbing rope that is at least 40m long. Speak to our front desk staff learn more about taking this assessment.

  • Bouldering refers to climbs that are protected by pads rather than ropes. Generally, that means that bouldering doesn’t take you too high off the ground — most boulder “problems” aren’t more than 12 or 15 feet tall. A rope isn’t needed on smaller walls or rock formations, such as large boulders. (Hence the term bouldering.) In the event of a bouldering fall, the climber hits either a padded floor (inside a gym) or a movable pad we call a “crash pad” (outside). Once a bouldering problem is completed, the climber will then either down climb or drop onto the crash pad below. Bouldering, as with all climbing, is dangerous.

    At Vertical View, we provide new members a quick bouldering orientation that covers proper bouldering and falling practices. We can provide you with the knowledge you need to boulder confidently!

  • Top-rope Climbing:
    Climbing shoes, harnesses, belay devices, and climbing chalk are recommended for top-rope climbing. Climbing shoes provide a distinct technical advantage but are not required. We require that you use closed-toed shoes when climbing.

    Bouldering:
    In order to boulder, we recommend climbing shoes and climbing chalk. Close-toed shoes are required when climbing at Vertical View.

    Lead Climbing:
    Climbing shoes, harnesses, belay devices, climbing rope, and climbing chalk are recommended for lead climbing. Climbing shoes provide a distinct technical advantage but are not required. We require that you use closed-toed shoes when climbing and we require that you provide your own rope when lead climbing at Vertical View. Rope must be at least 40m long.

    We do not allow single belay loop harnesses and all harnesses must be UIAA rated.

  • At an indoor climbing gym, route setters create climbs by using colored handholds on the walls. Vertical View uses a monochromatic style of route setting. The color of the holds signifies a specific route up the wall. “Beta” is specific advice, direction, or instruction on how to complete a climb. Each climber might use different/unique beta in order to ascend a climb; however, a route setter usually sets with specific beta in mind. Each route is labeled with a tag that tells you its level of difficulty. This helps climbers understand the skill level required to complete a climb.

    Vertical View has a professional route setting team that creates the routes and problems you climb. They are avid climbers themselves who draw from their own experiences to map out demanding sequences that are unique, exciting, and accessible to a wide audience with varying needs. Every route is carefully laid out to account for a nearly endless array of possibilities, including the climber’s skill level, the intention of the climb, and the movements that may be attempted.

    The YDS (Yosemite Decimal System):

    For all the rope climbing routes, the scale starts at 5.0 and goes to 5.15D. The 5 comes from mountaineering where a 1 is relatively flat terrain and goes up as it gets both steeper and more technical. The “5” in front of the decimal means that ropes are required to climb it safely. We set 5.4 - 5.9 as “intro” climbs. At 5.10 we start to break down those grades further by adding a letter to them. So a part of the scale goes: 5.8, 5.9, 510a, 5.10b, 5.10c, 5.10d, 5.11a. and so on.

    The V-Scale:

    The difficulty of boulder problems is rated by way of the “V-Scale”. For bouldering, V-scale grading goes from V0-V16. V0 being the easiest and V16 being the hardest.

  • Understanding Vertical View’s Gym Rules.

    It is always important to remember that climbing is inherently dangerous and that the equipment used doesn’t eliminate the danger. Each climber must know how to properly use their equipment in order for it to mitigate risk effectively. If you ever see a climber using equipment incorrectly, please speak up if you feel comfortable or let a staff member know so that we can address the situation in a timely manner.

    We ask that you walk around the belayer and the rope on the ground in our roped areas. Do not walk underneath climbers. This is just as important in the bouldering area. Keep your eyes up for climbers above you. Give climbers a clear fall zone.

    When you are waiting for a route to open up, respectfully approach the belayer and let them know that you are interested in climbing there once they are done.

    Similar etiquette is expected in the bouldering area. If a climber approaches a boulder problem, allow them to finish their attempt. Avoid climbing a problem repeatedly as we want all climbers to have an opportunity to attempt the climb.

  • It is important to be confident in your belay partner's skill and in the condition of the equipment being used. Education and practice can help you overcome your fears! Start small with bouldering and work your way up to taller walls. The key to getting over your fear of heights is patience and trust.

  • Upper body strength is not required to climb at a high level. Climbers focus on using their legs more than their arms and keep their hips close to the wall to conserve strength and energy. Climbing is a great full body workout and a natural way to build upper body strength.

  • No, but it is beneficial to wear clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement as flexibility can help in certain situations. Vertical View does ask every participant to wear a top.

  • Climbing barefoot does present a hazard inside the gym, so we do require everyone to wear close toed shoes when climbing. Climbing shoes give a technical advantages on the wall!

  • Vertical View asks that all participants wear a top at all times.

  • Climbing equipment is meant to handle any reasonable force that any person can put on the system, as long as the equipment is being used to industry specifications. Our Auto Belay systems have a weight range from 25lbs - 310lbs.

    If there are any additional questions about equipment and their specifications please speak to a Vertical View staff member.

  • If you plan on top roping, no. If you plan on lead climbing, yes. In order to lead belay and lead climb you must pass a lead certification test, have a partner that can also pass a lead test or who has already done so, and have your own UIAA certified dynamic rope at a minimum length of 40 meters or longer.

  • Leave no trace, respect wildlife, pick up your trash, bring doggies bags, and dispose of waste properly. Clean up your tick marks (tick marks are the chalk marks made on rocks to determine where the holds are).

    Avoid playing loud music as many climbers go climbing outside to enjoy the sounds of nature and “unplug”.

    Stay organized and avoid scattering gear. Allow space for other climbers to enjoy the crag.

    Follow official rules and regulations. There are times where certain routes and crags are closed to the public because of nesting season. Please be respectful of those closures.

  • Yes, every person who visits Vertical View must fill out a Facility Waiver to stay.

  • No, you do not! Harnesses are available for rent at the front desk for a nominal fee. Belay devices can be checked out in exchange for collateral.