Safety rules Climbing and Bouldering

Here you will find all safety rules for climbing and bouldering

TOP ROPE AND LEAD CLIMBING SAFETY RULES

  • Only guests who possess a climbing proficiency certificate or have demonstrable experience in independent indoor top rope or lead climbing are permitted to climb independently.
  • A partner check must be performed before each climb.
  • Climbers must tie in directly using a figure eight follow through knot.
  • Climbers are not permitted to belay themselves. Route setters/personnel while at work form the exception to this rule.
  • Regardless of the belay device in use, it is not permitted to release the rope with your brake hand while your climber is tied in.
  • Climbing is only permitted with the use of a CE-certified climbing harness and (lead) climbing ropes, of which the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan has not been exceeded.
  • Belaying is only permitted with the use of a CE-certified belay device. We recommend that you use an assisted blocking belay device.
  • No other position than a standing one is permitted while belaying. Paraclimbers form the exception to this rule.
  • Belayers must lower climbers at a calm and even rate.
  • Guests are not permitted to give belaying lessons.
  • With the exception of a chalk bag, it is not permitted to climb with climbing equipment and/or other items attached to or otherwise hanging from your harness.
  • Immediately report unsafe situations to our staff at the front desk.

SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR LEAD CLIMBING

  • Do not climb a route immediately adjacent to a route that is already being climbed by another guest. Always leave one rope/anchor point between you and other climbers.
  • Lead climbing is only permitted on specially designated wall areas.
  • Use a dynamic rope of no less than 40 meters in length.
  • Guests are required to wear shoes when belaying a lead climber.
  • Climbers must use all draws associated with a route.
  • MN personnel are at all times authorised to revoke permission to lead climb, for instance during a sudden peak in guest numbers.

AGE-RELATED RULES FOR TOP ROPE AND LEAD CLIMBING

  • Children aged 17 and under may only participate in activities with written permission from their parent/legal guardian.
  • Children younger than 14 are permitted to climb under the supervision of an adult parent/companion who possesses demonstrable climbing and belaying experience, as long as that adult also belays said child.
  • Children who have received a blue or white tag from the Mountain Club are permitted to climb and belay without supervision.
  • Children aged 17 and under may only belay a lead climber (and themselves lead climb) under the supervision of an adult parent/companion who possesses demonstrable lead climbing experience.
  • Children who have received a white tag from the Mountain Club are permitted belay a lead climber without supervision.

SAFETY RULES BOULDERING

  • Keep the mats free and clear for those bouldering.
  • Do not run, play or lie on the mats.
  • Be sure to give those bouldering sufficient space (above, below, to the left and right) on the walls.
  • While bouldering, please use only the walls and the holds. Do not use the structure of the building.
  • Keep the mats free of any objects.
  • Be sure not to wear any jewellery or watches while bouldering.
  • Ensure that you understand and use proper technique regarding falling:
    • It is better to climb down than to jump down
    • Practice jumping down and absorbing your jump or fall with your body
    • Try to land on both feet
    • Try to keep your feet flat while landing
    • Try not to land with your limbs straight and rigid
    • Bend your knees when landing or try to roll

An instructional video can be found here.

AGE-RELATED RULES FOR BOULDERING

  • Children aged 12 and younger must be under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.
  • Youths aged 12 to 18 may boulder without supervision.
  • Minors must possess written permission from a parent or guardian to be permitted to boulder without supervision.
  • An experienced, adult boulderer (aged 18 and up) may supervise a maximum of five (5) children under 12 years old.

All our boulders have been categorised into five circuits. Each boulder has been given a coloured tag to show to which circuit it belongs. Remember: the colour of the grips says nothing about how difficult any particular boulder problem is!