What to Expect
Welcome New Climbers!
Anyone can climb at Shaker Rocks – no experience necessary! If you are a new climber, you may choose one of the following three options:
Attention - all first-time visitors must fill out our waiver.
Drop In
Purchase a day pass and take advantage of our bouldering area and auto-belays. Our staff will get you oriented to the gym and have you climbing in no time. No experience necessary and no reservations needed!
Guided Experience
Sign up for a Taste of Climbing - a one-hour guided experience with a staff member who will show you the ropes. Reservations recommended.
Take a Class
Want a little more instruction? Sign up for Intro to Climbing or a Belay Class. Reservations required.
Climbing with Children
There are no age restrictions for climbing; however, we have found that children under the age of three will not get as much out of the experience. We also do not recommend putting any child under the age of three in a harness. Please check out our parent to kid ratio requirements if you are planning to come with children under the age of 14.
Experienced Climbers
**All belay checks are required immediately upon entrance to the facility
Top Rope
You must have a Shaker Rocks Top Rope Belay Card visible on your harness while top rope climbing & belaying.
Our Belay check requirements are as follows:
- Correctly tie in with a figure-8 follow-through knot with at least 2 handfuls (6 inches) of tail.
- Correctly feed a rope into a tube-style belay device (ATC) or Assisted Braking Device and use the PBUS (pull, brake, under, slide) style of belaying.
Lead Climbing
You must have a Shaker Rocks Lead Rope Belay Card visible on your harness while lead rope climbing & belaying.
Our Belay check requirements are as follows:
- Rope must be at least 30 meters long (rent or BYO).
- Belay Device: Assisted Braking Device or Tube style (ATC) only.
- During the lead test, participants will be required to climb a 5.9, take a fall, demonstrate proper lead climbing and belaying techniques using PBUS (pull, brake, under, slide) only.
FAQs
Only if you want to take a class or reserve a private belayer. Otherwise drop in any time during open hours.
That depends. Anyone can climb. However, we recommend not putting your child in a harness before the age of 3. You must be 14 or older to: belay, climb without adult supervision, or use the fitness facilities.
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. We recommend pants or long shorts so your skin stays protected from the harness and textured walls. Everyone must wear climbing shoes, so please wear socks if you plan to rent climbing shoes.
No, spectators are free! But you will need to sign a waiver before entering the gym.
Anyone is welcome to climb. However, our auto belay weight range is 25 to 310 pounds. Our adult harnesses can accommodate up to a 45-inch waist while the leg loops adjust up to 30 inches. Leg loops are sometimes the limiting factor.
Shaker Rocks is wheelchair accessible; however, the mezzanine with yoga, free weights, and birthday party climbing is accessible only by stairs. Shaker Rocks will make reasonable accommodations to policies and programs for people with disabilities.
An auto belay is a device that allows you to climb without a belayer. After clipping in, it automatically retracts webbing as you climb up and slowly lowers you down again. No experience necessary.
Come see what Shaker Rocks is all about
Whether you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend or a new lifelong hobby - our doors are open. See you soon!