Top Rope Skills

The Top-Rope Belay Class gives you the necessary understanding of safety guidelines, communication, and principles of sound top-rope belay technique. Complete this course and the respective skills checks to gain access to our 50 top-rope climbing stations. This class is not required to climb at UpTown. Walk-ins may still climb on our auto-belays and the boulder wall after a 1-time orientation. Members qualifying for a free class should sign up at the front desk to avoid paying a deposit. This class has a 2-participant minimum and may be cancelled 24-48 hours in advance if lacking registrations.

The Top Rope Belay Class covers the following:

• How to tie and inspect a proper figure 8 follow through knot
• Partner safety checks
• Proper PBUS (Pull, Brake, Under, Slide) belay technique and lowering using a Grigri belay device
• Climber/Belayer communication and commands
• Hands-on practice of all of the above
• Although not guaranteed, if time permits, participants may receive their first (of three) required skills check at the end of the class.
• After skills are taught on the ground, participants will take turns climbing and belaying on the walls, unless a belay-only parent of their child.

IMPORTANT: You must be 14 years old to take the class but you may not belay in the gym, without a belay-certified backup, until you are 16 years of age.

If this will be your first visit to UpTown please arrive 30 minutes early, so that we have time to fit your gear and give you a gym orientation.