At each climbing session, each climber must be approved to climb and/or belay by the climbing wall staff member.
Climbers are encouraged to stretch and loosen/ warm up prior to climbing.
Harness - Participants will use an appropriate harness that must be approved by the climbing wall staff.
Belay device - Participants are encouraged to use Venture-provided tubular belay device. Other mechanical belay devices can be used only if approved by climbing wall staff.
Shoes - Climbing shoes, sneakers, or light hiking boots are all appropriate footwear.
Shoes that are dirty, mark the floor or climbing structure may be banned from use.
Barefoot climbing, open-toed sandals, heavy mountaineering boots, and other hard soled shoes are prohibited.
Helmets do not need to be worn, but can be provided at no additional charge.
Chalk: Mesh balls and liquid chalk are the only acceptable chalks allowed. The dust created by loose chalk will interfere with other users of the Student Activity Center.
Shirts must be worn at all times.
Remove objects from the body and pockets that could lead to injury (especially rings and large earrings.)
Participants will be responsible for equipment signed-out to them.
Avoid stepping on the ropes.
Belay Check - All climbers must use a belayer-checks-climber and climber-checks-belayer system before each climb. This includes checking each others:
Harnesses - That it is fitted correctly and buckle is backed-up correctly;
Figure-eight knot - Tied in the correct part of the harness and dressed correctly;
Belay device - Threaded correctly, including a hands-on test by pulling on climber’s end of the rope; and
Anchor - Standing tight against the ground anchor with the carabiner locked to the appropriate part of the harness.
Use approved Climbing Communication
Climber: On belay? Belayer: Belay is on.
Climber: Climbing? Belayer: Climb on.
Climber: Take (tigher)? Belayer: Got you!
Climber: Slack (looser)? Belayer: Got you!
Climber: Falling! Belayer: Got you!
Climber: Ready to lower? Belayer: Lowering!
Climber: Off belay? Belayer: Belay is off!
Climber speed- Climbers will not climb faster than their belayer's ability to keep the belay rope secure. Though this is the climber’s responsibility, the belayer should let them know if they need to slow down.
Stay in-line - Climbers will stay below and in-line with their belay anchor to avoid a pendulum swing if they fall. Climbers will not climb directly above or below other people on the wall.
The top - Climbers will not climb above their belay anchors.
Bouldering on the wall can be done when spotted by another person.
Non-roped climbers should not go above their spotters shoulders.
Non-roped climbers should not use sections of the wall where others are already climbing, including climbing below someone else.
Roped climbers have first priority for using the wall.
Lead Climbing is not allowed since the structure of the wall is not capable of holding protection safely.
Food and drink are not allowed within the designated climbing area.
There are a limited number of people that can safely be monitored at the wall. You may need to wait outside the wall area until a space opens up.
Climbing Wall Staff have the right to deny access to the wall for any individuals whom they consider a safety risk to themselves or others. Climbing Wall Staff have the authority to set and enforce policies they deem necessary at the wall.
These Venture Climbing Wall User Policies are available at venture.charlotte.edu and may be revised.