Frequently Asked Questions
Indoor climbing gyms take the challenge and fitness benefits of climbing and remove the unpredictable nature of the mountain environment to offer a truly alternative form of active recreation. No longer do you have to travel hours each way to a climbing area. Vertically Inclined is right here in Edmonton so that after climbing you can go out to a movie, for a drink and most importantly, to your own bed!
The pursuit of rock climbing, with its inherent benefits, is now accessible to everyone.
Check out the top questions that are asked about indoor climbing at Vertically Inclined (and our responses!)
We run a state-of-the-art facility that is dedicated to climbing. We live, breathe and dream climbing at Vertically Inclined. Vertically Inclined runs adult and kids semester programs, introductory courses, birthday parties and even team development.
To climb you need a climber and a belayer. The climber goes up the wall and the belayer manages the rope and the safety of the climber. We run exposure sessions, introductory courses, semester programs, birthdays and custom programs for people who have never climbed before. If you’re currently a climber and can pass a belay check then you can pay on a daily basis or get a multi-visit pass.
Belaying is managing the rope so that the climber is secure on the wall. If the climber falls then the belayer “catches” them using the rope and proper technique. A Belay Check is a little test to show us that you indeed know how to belay with an accepted belay technique and how to tie in with a follow through figure eight knot. If you have never learned you won’t be able to fake it!
You can belay your friend in the gym no problem—even if you don’t want to climb yourself. If you do want to climb, then you can get your friend to do our Climbing Adventure. Our Climbing Adventure is oriented toward the person who has never climbed before. We give a 25 minute orientation and boom…now they can belay you!
Bouldering is climbing without ropes below a set height limit. In our facility that mark is just over 10 feet. Much of the technique instruction we offer is taught through bouldering so that participants can try the moves and step off the wall. It is also popular as it is viewed as simple (very little equipment) and as the purest form of climbing.
Yes there is and we rent all the equipment that is needed for indoor rock climbing: Shoes, harness, belay devices and ropes.
All of our courses include all required rental equipment.
All adults (18 years and older) must fill out a waiver before entering the climbing area. They must also provide ID when filling out the waiver.
Everyone who comes into the gym who is under 18 years of age will have to have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Indoor climbing has removed the major dangers (limited protection, falling rock, wild animals, weather conditions etc.) from the sport. However, like any activity (skiing, mountain biking, walking across the street) indoor climbing has associated risks. We technically (and legally) cannot say that climbing is a safe sport (or for that matter that any sport is safe) because humans are unpredictable and can do completely unexpected things. We make every effort to account for all possible situations through continuously upgrading our programs and training our staff. Our safety systems in courses include the following:
- A double rap on our ropes to double the amount of friction in the belay situation—helps slow down a fall.
- Participant to instructor ratio in courses is a maximum of 5:1 (under 10 years) and 6:1 or 9:1 depending on the program type.
- We ensure that no one leaves the ground until checked by an instructor.
- A comprehensive rope log that monitors wear and tear on all ropes.
- Impact absorbent padding in all climbing areas.
Kids 12 years and younger require constant adult supervision and will require an adult to come in to manage the ropes for them.
Depending upon their maturity level we can show kids (13 yrs. and older) how to manage the ropes on their own. Due to the seriousness of climbing we cannot allow any horseplay or running around in the facility.
Although belaying is an activity that is fairly basic and very transferable, each climbing gym that you visit will ask you to show them how you belay. Various climbing gyms might have different requirements for belaying but the basics should be the same. You can check out the procedure for our Belay Check here.
Yes we do. We sell them for any product we offer such as the Getting Into It courses or Climbing Adventures. We can also sell them in any dollar amount you would like. Check out more Gift Certificate options here.
Unfortunately we do not have a room for meeting after the event. Under the current COVID Guidelines, our tables and stools in the main area are NOT available for use. There are several restaurants in the area that you can go to after climbing.
In short, the tape marks out routes on the wall. By following the coloured tape you force yourself to use more specific techniques. On each wall there are routes of varying difficulties so two people, even if they don’t climb the same routes, can climb together on a wall.
For multi-day programs (Semester Programs & Camps):
Registration for all programs is on a first-come first served basis and payment is required at the time of booking.
A full refund will be issued in the event of cancellations done more than 1 week prior to the program start.
Cancellations done less than 1 week prior to the start date incur a $50 administration charge.
Full payment is retained in the event of cancellations done within 48 hours of the start of a program or no-shows.
Vertically Inclined Rock Gym reserves the right to alter or cancel any program or camp offerings. Any cancellations will be done 7 days before the start of the program.
Class times are not transferable once the program has begun.
Make up classes are $32/hr and must be pre-booked. Please speak with your instructor regarding classes that must be made up in order for climbers to have the skills to safely progress to the next session.
For single session courses and group bookings:
Registration for all sessions is on a first-come first served basis and payment is required at the time of booking.
A full refund will be issued in the event of cancellations done more than 48 hours prior to the booking.
Full payment is retained in the event of cancellations done within 48 hours of the course and for no-shows.
The TRUBLUE Auto Belays used in our facility accommodate weights of 22 lbs (10kg) to 330 lbs (150kg).
The rope systems are open to anyone as long as we can properly size the harness for them. The harnesses that we can provide have an upper limit of 48”, with a few exceptions. Recommended Weight Limit is the same as the Auto Belays: 330 lbs (150kg).