Anyone – young or old, in shape or out, thin or not so thin – can get on the walls and experience the physical challenge and mental stimulation of climbing. The Alaska Rock Gym has terrain from less than vertical to overhanging, giving virtually everyone an opportunity to “climb the walls”. We are currently offering our “Intro to Gym Climbing” class on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday evenings from 7-9 pm. This is a great way to become familiar with the gym and indoor climbing!
Roped or auto belay climbing on the taller walls, and bouldering (climbing on low walls in an un-roped fashion). Bouldering, while offering the same experience of working out the “problem” of the arrangement of the holds on the wall, allows the climber to remain low – only climbing to a height within his comfort zone. If height is an issue, bouldering is a great way to get started climbing. It requires no belayer and can be experienced after just a short orientation; a class is not required.
A climber, who ascends the wall, and a belayer. The belayer manages the rope, protecting the climber from a fall to the ground. Belaying involves learning a sequence of tasks including a climber/belayer cross-check, taking up slack, catching a potential fall, and lowering the climber after they reach the top of the climb. Our “Intro to Gym Climbing” class includes teaching the participants how to belay and certifying them as top rope belayers in the gym.
…is perfect for participants who are either climbing alone or who have yet to become belay certified at our facility. Our Perfect Descent auto belay devices take in slack as climbers move up the wall, and the device automatically catches and lowers climbers when they finish their route. Auto belays are available for use after a short orientation; a class is not required.
…and kids as young as three years old can prove to be agile and adept climbers. Children are always welcome at the Alaska Rock Gym! Once parents have been oriented to the gym and passed their belay certification, they can climb and belay their kids any time. Kids must be 14 years or older to earn their own belay certification, and all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. View our youth supervision guidelines here.
Please note: Children ages 9 & under are not allowing in the bouldering area except during published youth bouldering hours, unless accompanied by a BASE certified adult.
Intro to Gym Climbing and Belay Certification classes are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 7-9pm. This group class is the entry to the world of indoor climbing at the Alaska Rock Gym. Minimum age for participation is 14 years. The curriculum includes auto belay and bouldering orientations, an introduction to the routes on the wall, gym etiquette, and top rope belay skills. At the end of the class, most participants are belay certified and able to boulder, climb on auto belays, and use our top-rope systems in the gym. Online registration is recommended and payment at the time of booking is required. Participant liability waivers are available online and at the front desk. Completing the waiver in advance really speeds things up on the day of the class!
Private Intro to Gym Climbing and Belay Certification classes are also available upon request. Minimum age for participation is 14 years. Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance, and groups of up to 6 can be accommodated. Please call the front desk for more information.
Yes! Anyone - young or old, in shape or out, thin or not so thin - can get on the walls and experience the physical challenge and mental stimulation of working out the “problem” found in the arrangement of holds on the wall. The Alaska Rock Gym has terrain from less than vertical to overhanging, giving virtually everyone an opportunity to “climb the walls “. We offer our Intro to Gym Climbing and Belay Certification class on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. This is a great way to become familiar with the gym and indoor climbing!
The Alaska Rock Gym offers two types of climbing: roped climbing on the taller walls, and bouldering, which is climbing on low walls in an un-roped fashion. Bouldering, while offering the same experience of working out the “problem” of the arrangement of the holds, allows the climber to remain low – only climbing to a height within his comfort zone. If height is an issue, bouldering is a great way to get started climbing. It requires no belayer and can be engaged in after just a short orientation.
Roped climbing requires two people; a climber, who ascends the wall, and a belayer. The belayer manages the rope protecting the climber from a fall. Belaying involves learning a sequence of tasks, including a climber/belayer cross-check, taking up slack, catching a potential fall, and lowering the climber after she reaches the top of the climb. Our “Intro to Gym Climbing” class includes teaching the participants how to belay and certifying them as top rope belayers in the gym.
Don't have a climbing partner yet? Don't worry, the Alaska Rock Gym has an amazing bouldering area, no rope or belayer needed. Want to give the taller walls a shot? We now have 12 new Perfect Descent auto belays that are available for use after a short orientation.
Climbing is a great family activity, and kids as young as two years old can prove to be agile and adept climbers. Children are always welcome at the Alaska Rock Gym! Once parents have been oriented to the gym and passed the belay certification, they can climb and belay their kids any time. Kids must be 14 years or older to earn their own belay certification, and all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Check out our full youth supervision guidelines here. Children ages 9 & under are not allowed in the boulder area except during published youth bouldering hours, unless accompanied by a BASE Certified adult.
