Safety & Policies
rules to know before you climb
Facility Rules
waiver and orientation
Participants must acknowledge that climbing activities are dangerous prior to participating by completing a waiver and orientation document. These documents must be signed by a parent or legal guardian for anyone under the age of 18.
age requirements
Participants age 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age to use an Auto Belay without assistance or to belay another climber is 12.
equipment
Closed-toed shoes are required for all climbing and fitness activities.
All participants must use equipment manufactured specifically for recreational climbing.
Personal equipment shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer instructions and at the exclusive risk of the user.
etiquette
Read all facility signage prior to climbing.
Do not climb under other climbers. Roped climbers have the right of way on all walls.
Do not run, jump or swing on the ropes.
Unruly conduct, vulgar language, or disregard of facility rules or staff instructions will be cause for removal from the facility.
Personal effects not related to climbing equipment are not allowed in climbing areas. Triangle Rock Club is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Food or drinks are not allowed on the climbing floor.
bouldering
When bouldering you will fall, and may fall unexpectedly. This can result in serious injury regardless of flooring, the height of falls, or falling technique. Climb only to a height at which you are comfortable falling with proper technique. Please read our posted bouldering rules for safety and other information. Be aware of items, such as water bottles, in landing zones. They may be a hazard and should be moved.
auto belays
One of the most common accidents on an Auto Belay is the climber forgetting to clip in which may result in serious injury or death. Other risks for injury include swinging falls and colliding with objects or people.
We require certification by a TRC Staff Member prior to use. Anyone under the age of 12 may only use an Auto Belay with assistance. The assisting person must be Auto Belay certified and perform a safety check prior to the climber leaving the ground for each climb.
belaying
Before top rope belaying, you must be certified by a TRC Staff Member. Belay certifications are earned through a pass/fail assessment of competency. Instruction is not provided during the assessment. Always display the issued certification tag visibly when belaying.
All belay equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always conduct a partner safety check prior to leaving the ground.
lead climbing
Before lead climbing or belaying, you must be certified by a TRC Staff Member. All lead belaying must be done with an Assisted Braking Device.
While lead climbing, climbers are required to clip all appropriate gym quickdraws on the route. The following is not allowed while lead climbing:
- Skipping clips
- The use of personal quickdraws
- Practice lead falls
facility usage
Unauthorized instruction of any kind is not permitted in the facility. Personal instruction, coaching, or commercial use of Triangle Rock Club without specific authorization by Triangle Rock Club management is not permitted.
Use of equipment of participation of any activity at Triangle Rock Club while under the influence of intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited.
Belay Certification
Auto Belay, Top Rope, and Lead Assessments are pass/fail assessments administered by Triangle Rock Club Staff. These assessments are used to evaluate the competency of participants prior to accessing Auto Belay, Top Rope, and/or Leading in the gym. Participants must demonstrate the following skill sets without instruction or error. Assessments may only be taken once per day.
Customers who do not demonstrate proficiency in all parts of the assessment are not allowed to earn a certification or access Auto Belay climbs, Top Rope Belaying, or Leading that day. They may still enjoy bouldering, or climbing with others who are certified.
Climbers who do not pass the assessment are encouraged to take one of Triangle Rock Club’s instructional programs.
All proficiency assessments are progressive beginning with Auto Belay, then Top Rope, and finally Lead.
auto belay requirements
Equipment: Participant will need a personal or rental harness, and competed wavier & orientation document.
Harness: Participant must put on a harness correctly according to manufacturer instructions.
Carabiner: Participant must demonstrate how to properly clip the Auto Belay carabiner to the belay loop on their harness.
Safety Check: Participant must demonstrate how to check that the carabiner is properly attached and locked, and that the tether is retracting.
Lowering: Participant must explain proper lowering technique.
Age Limit: Participant must explain the age limits associated with Auto Belay use.
top rope requirements
Equipment: Participant will need a personal or rental harness & belay device, and Auto Belay certification.
Harness: Participant must put on a harness correctly according to manufacturer instructions.
Climber: Participant must demonstrate how to properly clip the climbing-side of the rope to the belay loop on their harness, and demonstrate proper communication with their partner.
Belayer: Participant must properly set up an approved belay device* per the manufacturer instructions, and demonstrate a double check of their own and their partner’s equipment.
Technique: Participant must demonstrate proficient top rope belay technique and constant control of the brake end of the rope. They must immediately and properly catch two simulated top rope falls, and demonstrate controlled lowering of the climber to the ground.
*Approved belay devices include tube-style devices and assisted-braking devices. Participants should test with the belay device that they plan to use.
lead requirements
Equipment: Participant will need a personal harness, assisted-braking device, climbing partner, dynamic rope of sufficient length, climbing shoes, and a Top Rope certification.
Harness: Participant must put on a harness correctly according to manufacturer instructions.
Ground Portion: Participant must demonstrate how to properly tie in to the tie-in points on their harness using a retraced figure-eight knot with at least six inches of tail. They must demonstrate proper and incorrect clipping technique, how to flake a rope, and proper setup of an assisted-braking device system for lead climbing in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Participant must demonstrate a double check of their own and their partner’s equipment, and demonstrate proper communication with their partner.
Belaying: Participant must demonstrate proficient lead belay technique and constant control of the brake end of the rope on an assisted-braking device.
Climbing: Participant must climb one route, properly and smoothly clipping all quickdraws. They will take one announced fall before finishing the climb, clipping the anchors, and being lowered.