Welcome to Boulders!

If you’ve never been to our gym before, the first step is to complete a waiver. Waivers are required to climb, spectate, spot and belay. Once you’re done, read the info below and head on over to one of our gyms! Have questions? We’ve got answers.

  • Arrival

    • If you haven’t filled out a waiver yet, click below to save time!

    • Get familiar with our Rules and Policies.

    • Check-in with a staff member at the front desk and get a quick orientation.

    • If you paid for rentals, desk staff will help you find the correct size.

    • Head down the hallway to find a cubby for your things.

    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer.

    • Throw on your shoes and chalk up!

  • If you’re bouldering only (Downtown or Eastside):

    • Bouldering is climbing without ropes, when you fall your only “protection” is the soft mats on the ground.

    • In bouldering, it’s important to learn to fall correctly in order to avoid injury. Our staff will teach you proper falling techniques in your orientation.

    • If you’re new to climbing, feel free to use any color! If that’s too easy for you, try climbing “routes” by sticking to one hold color.

    • Routes are marked with tape that shows the beginning and end of climbs, with a “circuit” tag underneath the start hold.

    • Find a “circuit” by using the color-coordinated grading scale below.

    • Climbs generally get harder as the rainbow progresses, with pink being the easiest (a great starting point for beginners) and black being the hardest, although it is subjective and there is some overlap.

    If you aren’t sure what to climb or need some tips, feel free to ask our staff!

  • If you’re climbing ropes or Auto belays (Eastside only):

    Auto Belays are machines that automatically lower you once you are done climbing on taller rope-area walls. Our staff will demonstrate how to properly use them in your orientation.

    • If you’re new to climbing, feel free to use multiple colors! If you’d like a challenge, try sticking to a route (one color of holds)

    • Our routes are graded using the Yosemite Decimal System. All tags will start with “5.” followed by another number. The lower the second number, the easier the climb might be, although it’s subjective and there’s some overlap. Our easiest climbs are generally marked with “5.7”.

    • If you know how to belay, ask our staff to take a certification course. If you don’t, but would like to learn how, check out our ropes classes here!

  • Things to watch out for

    • Share the wall, make sure to give others a turn.

    • Watch out for fall zones: avoid hanging out at the bottom of climbs.

    • Please respect people’s personal space

    • Respect the puzzle: don’t offer unsolicited advice.

    • If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to staff!

Classes are the best way to jump-start your progress.

We offer Learn to Belay, an introduction to climbing with ropes, and Intro to Bouldering, guaranteed to get you feeling comfortable on our bouldering walls.