F.A.Q.

We recommend our one-hour introductory lesson as the best starting point, though you may also come in anytime to try it out and get a quick belay lesson

The intro lesson will teach you how to:

• Put on your climbing harness correctly
• Tie into the rope using a figure eight follow through knot
• Operate the belay device safely to control the descent of your climbing partner
• Basic climbing techniques to make the experience easier and more enjoyable

For information on scheduling an introductory lesson, please check out our Instruction page!

• Bouldering is the act of low climbing, without the use of ropes and harnesses. It can be done on your own, and does not require any prior instruction (the floors are padded, and we offer crash pads for extra cushion when you land).
• Top Roping is where the rope is already set up on the wall for you. The climber and belayer attach to opposite ends of the rope, and the climber ascends the wall, while the partner pulls up slack in the rope through a belay device.
• Lead Climbing is a more advanced form of climbing, and one that is commonly seen when climbing outside. In lead climbing, the climber brings their rope up the wall with them as they climb, clipping into the carabiners attached to the wall. Lead climbing requires advanced training, and a well-developed climbing ability (5.10 or above) to be comfortable leading.

Belaying is the act of managing the rope for your climbing partner to keep them safe. Whenever a climber ascends beyond 14 feet, they must have a partner who has been certified by WRG staff to belay. On top-rope, the belayer’s job is to take up slack in the rope as the climber progresses, so that they can lower them safely and slowly back down to the ground when they complete a climb.

There is no minimum age to climb! Anyone who is interested in climbing is welcome to come and try it out, and it’s even free for kids age 3 and younger! There is also no maximum age limit – we regularly see climbers in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s who pull much harder than many of our younger climbers.

You must be at least 13 or older to belay in the Warehouse Rock Gym. By 13 most kids have both the physical capability and the mental maturity to handle the responsibilities of belaying, though be advised that gym staff can refuse to allow anyone to belay who does not demonstrate their ability to safely operate equipment.

No. You can boulder in our gym without any instruction, and if you are a competent belayer you may take our belay test to demonstrate that you know how to operate all the equipment safely during any of our normal hours. The belay test requires that you demonstrate how to:

• put on your harness correctly
• tie into the climbing rope with a figure-eight follow through knot
• operate the belay device safely
• catch a fall

When you demonstrate these skills in front of gym staff, you will be issued a belay tag to attach to your harness, that will exempt you from having to be tested each time you come in. If you cannot demonstrate these skills, you will be asked to come back another time to try again, or take our lesson.

If you don’t know how to belay, gym staff can give you a quick 10-minute lesson as long as the gym is quiet.

No. Daily fees are for the day only, though many new climbers take advantage of the fact that it includes unlimited access during that day – this means you can climb for a bit, leave for lunch, and when you come back in later that afternoon you can keep climbing. This includes any rentals you may have paid for.

You need to have a climbing partner for roped climbing, but you can boulder on your own.

Many of our climbers use our Facebook business page to announce their need for climbing partners, and to coordinate climbing times. The climbing networking site ClimbFind is also an excellent resource for finding partners. You may also put up a notice on the bulletin board in the gym. Check out our Links page for more information!

We require advanced booking for the following services, to make sure that we have the staff to accommodate you:

• Private introductory or technique lessons
• Birthday parties or other group events (typically groups of 6 or more individuals)

Wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to move freely. Avoid very short shorts, which tend to bunch up above the leg loops when you climb. People with long hair should bring an elastic band to tie it up, since it can be a safety hazard if it is long enough to fall into the belay device. It is also a good idea to bring a water bottle, though we also have a drinking fountain.

Absolutely! Kids of all ages love to climb, though typically kids age 7 and up will have more stamina for a longer session. With that in mind, we charge only $5 per day for kids age 4-6 years old, and it’s free for kids ages 3 and younger!

Please note that anyone under 18 years of age must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian, so if you are bringing along nieces, nephews or friends of your children, you will need to have them sign one ahead of time for you to bring.

Yes, we have a small parking lot (10 spaces) outside our main door. There is also extensive on-street metered parking surrounding the gym, which is free after 5pm.

No. Only Warehouse Rock Gym employees may instruct. This ensures a uniform safety standard in our gym, which makes our staff and insurance company very happy.

Climbing may initially seem to be a very dangerous activity, since it involves scaling vertical walls many feet into the air. In reality, climbing is a very accessible sport that can be enjoyed by almost anyone. That said, there are real safety concerns that come with any vertical sport, and it is important to receive proper instruction on belaying before you get yourself into a dangerous situation. Anytime you are in doubt, ASK our staff – they love to dish out (frequently unsolicited) advice for any situation. For more information, please read our safety page.