Rules Agreement

General Rules

Anyone entering the Facility must have a signed/completed “Vertical Endeavors Release of all Claims, Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement, Rules Agreement and General Warnings” form on file.

Members and guests under the age of 18 must have the Form signed by their parent or court-appointed legal guardian.

Everyone must check in at the front counter before entering the climbing area. Members must show a counter employee their membership card and picture ID when entering.

Before using the Auto Belays, Bouldering, Belaying, Lead Climbing or Lead Belaying, you must be checked out by a Vertical Endeavors staff member. You will be given a wristband when you check in. Upon passing the qualication, the staff will remove the wristband and will enter your name in our database as qualied for that activity.

Warning: Wristbands removed by the climber may result in loss of climbing privileges.

  • Vertical Endeavors is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and other behavior deemed offensive. Discrimination, harassment, and offensive behavior in the facility is prohibited. Such behavior, includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate remarks or conduct related to a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or age. Any such behavior that has the purpose or effect of interfering with the use of VE’s facilities is strictly prohibited. Likewise, verbal or physical conduct or communications of a sexual nature are strictly prohibited. Conduct of a sexual nature includes but is not limited to the use of sexual words, sexual jokes, sexual innuendo, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or making or displaying images of a sexual nature
  • Members and guests 18 (or older) must present a valid photo ID upon submitting their “VE Liability Waiver and Rules Agreement”.
  • Members may be required to show a counter employee their membership card and ID upon entering the facility.
  • Everyone must check in at the front counter before entering the climbing facility.
  • All members and guests are required to participate in a Facility Orientation during their initial visit or re-take if they have not visited the facility in the past 120 days.
  • All members and guests must comply with the judgment, direction, and decisions of the VE staff members on duty.
  • Only rock climbing equipment approved by VE staff is to be used in the climbing facility.
  • Rock climbing instruction is not allowed in the facility (except by VE staff).
  • No rock climbing or other activities are allowed while under the influence of intoxicating or mood-altering substances.
  • Children under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult unless they are part of a special VE program.
  • Absolutely no horseplay, running, swinging, spinning on the ropes, or throwing rubber, is allowed.
  • Climbing with cellular phones, audio players, headphones, or similar devices is prohibited while belaying and climbing.
  • Only appropriate climbing footwear will be permitted on climbing surfaces (rock climbing shoes or athletic shoes are recommended).
  • No bare feet are allowed in any VE facility (except in the locker rooms).
  • Members and guests must have appropriate clothing on at all times – shirts must be worn in the facility (except in the locker rooms).
  • Helmets are available for free for those who desire to use them.
  • No snacks, food, or beverages (except bottled water) are allowed in the climbing areas.
  • Only chalk balls are allowed. No loose chalk is allowed.
  • Vertical Endeavors is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items.
  • Do not store items in shared spaces (e.g. workout areas, climbing areas, landing mats).
  • The use of vulgar language or improper conduct is prohibited.
  • Packs, shoes, coats, and other loose items must be stored in a locker or cubbies (locks are available for purchase at the front counter).
  • Locks are not allowed to remain on lockers overnight – locks remaining on lockers at close will be cut off and
    the contents will be put in the “Lost & Found”.
  • VE is not responsible for any item left by any participant that is placed in “Lost & Found”.
  • Groups and lessons in progress have priority on certain routes – if an instructor needs a particular route, participants may be asked to move to another route.
  • If you are unfamiliar with the proper use of the weight and/or exercise equipment, please ask for an orientation prior to use.
  • Be aware that parking restrictions exist at all VE facilities. Please note parking lot signage for restrictions.
  • Overnight parking at any VE facility is prohibited. Your car may be towed by building management at your expense.

General Warnings:

Climbing on any artificial climbing wall may result in falls and/or injuries. By participating in any activities in any VE facility the participant agrees and understands that they assume all risks for their actions. Your voluntary participation in activities sponsored by Vertical Endeavors has INHERENT RISKS that can result in serious injury or death. Injuries may also include twists, strains, sprains, dislocations, etc.

Inherent risks may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Padded landing surfaces may help to prevent injuries but are not designed to prevent injuries to extremities. Serious injuries can occur on any landing surface.  Climb at your own risk!
  • VE Kids Play Areas are not supervised by Vertical Endeavors staff. Children playing in these areas should not be left unattended.
  • Failure to properly clip into an auto belay system.
  • Failure to properly tie into a roped belay system.
  • Your belayer may not properly arrest your fall.
  • Arresting your fall may cause injury.
  • You may be injured if your hair, clothing or jewelry comes into contact with climbing structures or your belay device. Restrain hair and loose clothing, remove jewelry, etc.
  • Landing on items left in landing surface area. Check your landing zone.
  • Swinging or falls in which you may come into contact with other persons.
  • Swinging or falls of other persons who may come into contact with you.
  • Swinging or falls in which you could come into contact with climbing wall features or structures.
  • Failure of equipment supplied by you or by VE.
  • Physical demands associated with participation and the use of the facility.
  • Participants may slip, trip, and fall on landing surfaces and the curbs in and around the facility.
  • Falling objects.
  • Falling from any height.
  • Misuse of the facility.
  • Misuse of personal protection equipment.
  • Lack of adequate training.
  • Negligence of other climbers.
  • Using a spotter may not prevent injuries to yourself or others.
  • Acting as a spotter may cause injuries to yourself or others.
  • Cuts and abrasions, etc. may result from contact with ropes, walls, and hardware.
  • Use the appropriate rope for the intended route. (Lead ropes are available at the front counter.)
  • Do not remove a rope from its intended route.
  • All VE facilities may institute new rules or rules specific to the facility at any time. Please check with staff to determine current facility-specific rules.

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

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Auto Belay Rules

All customers using the Auto Belays must be oriented to the proper use of this system. Orientation will allow you to use only the Auto Belays until you have passed the regular top rope belay check-out. It is the climber’s responsibility to properly clip into the Auto Belay and to perform the proper double checks on themselves. Always “DOUBLE CLIP”! Always “DOUBLE CHECK”! Stay in line with top anchor. NEVER CLIMB INTO SLACK!

Children under the age of 12 must be supervised and connected to the Auto Belays by an adult.

Using Auto Belays to climb cracks is not allowed due to safety concerns.

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

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Bouldering Rules

Bouldering is only allowed over padded areas. Do not boulder under roped climbers. Bouldering is not allowed next to, above, or across the emergency door area. It is recommended to have a minimum of one spotter per climber when bouldering. When Bouldering, the Boulderer’s feet shall not pass above a height on the wall that is equivalent to the height of the shoulders of the Boulderer when standing on the floor. A climber’s voluntary participation in Bouldering indicates their acknowledgment that Bouldering is dangerous and that a spotter may not prevent injuries. Spotters understand that they may be injured by the Boulderer if they should fall. Padded landing surfaces may help to prevent injuries but are not designed to prevent injuries to extremities. Serious injuries can occur on any landing surface. Climb at your own risk!

Only authorized participants may climb or boulder on the walls. Authorization must be obtained by demonstrating the appropriate skills to an appointed member of the staff on duty in the facility.

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

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Top Out Bouldering Rules

You must be 18 to top out on boulder. If you do not demonstrate controlled falls or topping out you may lose your top-out boulder privileges.

  • Top-out boulder wristbands must be worn at all times while in top-out boulder area.
  • You must sign top waiver and yellow card document prior to bouldering on your own.
  • No flips, tricks, or jumping from top-out bouldering area.
  • Practice safe falling techniques; roll if needed to reduce impact. All falls are ground falls!

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

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Belaying Rules

All belayers and climbers agree to utilize proper belaying technique and agree to DOUBLE-CHECK their set-up before beginning the climb. The belayer will check the climber’s gear and knots, and the climber will check the belayer’s system and exchange confirmation that the set-up is correct. This is most important and must be performed at the start of each and every climb!

The belayer must pay attention to the climber at all times.

Children must be 14 or older in order to belay (Exceptions by arrangement only.)

VE requires a stopper knot on the brake or belayer side of the rope, so the rope does not accidentally pass all the way through the belay device.

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

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Lead Climbing Rules

  • Lead climbing at Vertical Endeavors is a privilege.
  • Guests must be "checked out" and qualified (demonstrating the proper skills and knowledge) by a VE staff member to lead belay and lead climb in a VE facility. If a guest has not been properly checked out and qualified, or their qualification has expired, then they do not have permission to lead climb or lead belay.
  • Lead climbers who do not abide by the lead climbing rules will be warned and lead climbing privileges may be taken away.
  • VE requires a stopper knot on the brake or belayer side of the rope, so the rope does not accidentally pass all the way through the belay device.
  • Skipping clips is not allowed.
  • No unnecessary or lengthy falls.
  • No mock leading on a top rope unless it is instructor-supervised in a VE lesson or approved by a manager for that day.
  • Following on lead routes is NOT allowed.
  • Practice lead falls are not allowed in the facility except in lessons supervised by Vertical Endeavors staff.
  • All lead climbers must have a VE lead qualified tag on their harness.
  • Only VE-provided ropes are allowed to be used in VE facilities.

*Children must be 16 or older to Lead Belay or Lead Climb*
(Exceptions by arrangement only.)

NOTE: Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of membership privileges.

All participants must sign our Liability Waiver and Rules Agreement.