Climbing Policies

GYM SAFETY

 All climbers must sign in with the monitor at the front desk.

1. All climbers must have a current signed Outdoor Education Risk and Release Form and Ritt Kellogg Climbing Gym Agreement form on file.
2. Climbing is only allowed when the gym is open and two monitors are present.
3. Personal harnesses and other personal gear must be inspected and approved by a monitor.
4. Only climbing shoes or athletic shoes are permitted while climbing. Bare feet, sandals, or street shoes are not allowed.
5. No food or beverages allowed in the climbing and training rooms. Water is allowed in a sealed plastic container.
6. Horseplay will not be tolerated.
7. No drugs or alcohol.
8. Monitors may ask students to leave the gym if the number of climbers is compromising safety, or is exceeding the comfort level of the monitors. 
9. Monitors reserve the right to remove any climber from the gym for violating policies.

BOULDERING

 Never climb above your comfort level. Use your best judgment to prevent injury.

1. Never boulder underneath another climber.
2. Bouldering is only allowed on sections of the wall unoccupied by roped climbers.
3. Climber’s hands must remain below the bouldering line.
4. Spotters should be used when necessary.
5. Spotters must use proper spotting techniques:
1. Arms raised, elbows bent, hands up, thumbs in, stand in a stable “athletic” stance, knees bent, and ready to brace an impact dynamically.
2. Eyes on the climber with highest priority to protect the head, neck, and spinal column of climber.
3. Open and active communication between climber and spotter.

TOP-ROPE CLIMBING

1. Belayers must have passed the Belay Certification test, administered by a climbing gym monitor.  This test cannot be administered on the same day of the Belay Clinic.
2. Climbers and belayers must have proper equipment that has been inspected and approved by a monitor.
3. Climbers must be tied-in to the appropriate point(s) of their harness using a figure-eight follow-through knot.
4. Belayers must have the rope secured with an approved belay device, which is attached to their belay-loop with a locking carabiner.
5. No sitting or lying down while belaying.
6. Climbers and belayers must check each other before each climb. This check includes:
1. Climber and Belayer’s harness buckles are properly secured.
2. Climber’s figure-eight knot is tied properly with a tail of at least six inches.
3. Belayer’s rope is secured in their belay device and their carabiner is locked.
4. Belayer’s brake hand is on the brake-side of the rope.
7. Climbers and belayers must use proper verbal climbing commands when commencing a climb and while climbing. These include:
1. Climber: “On belay?” (Is the belay on?)
2. Belayer: “Belay on.” (Belay is on.)
3. Climber: “Climbing.” (I am climbing.)
4. Belayer: “Climb on.” (I am prepared for you to climb.)
5. Climber: “Take.” (Take in slack and be prepared to hold my weight.)
6. Climber: “Up rope.” (Take in slack, tighten belay.)
7. Climber: “Slack.” (Give me slack in the rope.)
8. Climber: “Off belay.” (I am secured to an anchor or safe on the ground, you may release your belay.)
9. Belayer: “Belay off.” (The belay has been released.)
8. Belayer’s brake hand is never taken off the rope until the climber is safely anchored or on the ground (“Off belay.”)

LEAD CLIMBING

1. Climbers wishing to lead climb must pass the Lead Climbing Certification test administered by a monitor.  This test cannot be administered on the same day as the Lead Climbing/Belay Clinic.
2. Climbers wishing to lead belay must pass the Lead Belay Certification test administered by a monitor.  This test cannot be administered on the same day as the Lead Climbing/Belay Clinic.
3. Lead climbers must check in with a monitor every time they wish to lead climb.
4. Climbers must be proficient in top-rope climbing and belaying, at a 5.9 level or harder.