A First Time Climber’s Guide to Everything
Here at Peak Experiences, we believe climbing is for everyone.
After all, if you can climb a ladder, you can scale a wall. However, we get that trying out a new kind of adventure can be a little nerve-wracking. Whether you've decided to take your first steps into the world of indoor climbing or are contemplating the idea, welcome! You’re in the right place.
But fear not! Our friendly staff can guide you through everything you need to know, and teach you how to manage the risks of climbing, and your fears too. So, let's strap on our climbing shoes, chalk up our hands, and dive into the excitement of our favorite sport!
If you get to the end of this blog post and still aren’t sure where to start, our Climbing Sampler might be perfect for you!
No, seriously, climbing is for everyone.
All ages, sizes, and ability levels are welcome in climbing. We have a wide variety of route difficulties, with a handy bouldering grade chart available in our gyms to let you know the difficulty level of the route you’re eyeing. We have routes that are as simple as a ladder, ones you can try once you’ve got a hang of things, and ones that pose a serious challenge to anyone who attempts them.
Climbing isn’t all about upper body strength. No pull-ups necessary! Climbing is a puzzle on the wall you solve with your body – it requires a combination of body awareness, core tension, grip strength, leg strength, and yes, some upper body strength to get you up the wall. Practice is the key to “sending” (finishing) your route.
Community is the core of the sport. You’ll build trust and communication skills when you spend time climbing with a partner. It’s also very normal to talk to and encourage your fellow climbers in the gym! You’ll meet the friendliest people inside Peak, happy to give advice if you’re looking for it.
What to Expect
Lots of lingo. Sometimes it sounds like climbers are speaking their own language, but you’ll figure it out quickly. Most of the time, people will know what you’re talking about. It’s perfectly fine to call a donut-shaped hold a donut, instead of a pocket or a hueco. Check out our Glossary for Climbers to see if you can pick up a couple words!
Climbs that will challenge you: we have a wide range of difficulty levels for a reason. You’ll gain confidence from the progress you’ll make on routes that are hard for you.
Some serious soreness. Climbing requires the use of muscles you probably have never used so specifically. It’s perfectly normal to have sore muscles and some raw skin on your hands after a climbing session.
What You Need to Bring
A completed Assumption of Risks Form! Everyone who comes into our gym needs to fill out this form, regardless of participation level. We don’t charge entry to folks who are just watching.
Show up in comfy clothes, ready to move. Sweatpants, athletic pants, leggings, t-shirts, and tank tops work just fine. You’ll probably want to wear long pants; our walls are very textured, just like sandstone would be outside. Loose-fitting clothing or jewelry (especially rings) can get caught on climbing holds or ropes, so leave those at home. Short nails also make gripping holds easier.
We have climbing shoes and harnesses available to rent, but you’re welcome to wear closed-toe, snug-fitting athletic shoes if you’d prefer not to rent shoes.A reusable water bottle. We have water coolers for you to fill your bottle from, but can’t guarantee our supply of paper cups won’t run out.