About THE ROCK Climbing Center

Welcome to THE ROCK Climbing Center in Monument, Colorado!

Getting Started
Indoor climbing is a sport that requires some basic safety techniques that you must learn before you can climb. We recommend you learn these techniques by taking a two-hour lesson from the staff at THE ROCK.

If you haven’t climbed for a while or just want to review your skills, or can’t make the two-hour lesson, we offer belaying lessons for $10 any time the gym is open (subject to staff availability).

You can also learn from a trusted friend or family member who is experienced in climbing. When you come to climb at THE ROCK, we will give you a test (free of charge) to make sure your skills in belaying, knot tying, harness safety and other areas meet our standards before you can climb or belay.

Our friendly and helpful staff is more than willing to answer any questions about safety or technique that you might have at any time – please don’t hesitate to ask.

Gear
We have all the equipment that is required for indoor climbing available for rent or sale. You may also bring your own equipment.

To climb with a rope (free climbing or top roping), a harness and belay device are necessary. Shoes and a chalk bag are also typically used.

For bouldering (climbing close to the ground, without a rope), shoes and a chalk bag are the typical gear.

Indoor Climbing is for Everyone
People of any size, shape, sex, age, or physical ability enjoy climbing. Many people find climbing to be a way to challenge themselves to overcome mental or physical obstacles.

Individuals come to climbing with a variety of different backgrounds and fears. Participating at your comfort level is always the best option and our lessons and staff will always cater to your comfort level.

Branching Out
The Colorado Springs area offers some of the best outdoor climbing in the nation. After learning the basics of indoor climbing, you may want to test your skills outside. Our staff is always willing to answer questions about good local climbing areas.

Basic Vocabulary

• Belaying – The technique of managing the rope to safeguard a climber against a fall. The most important responsibility climbers routinely face. (Definition from How to Rock Climb, by John Long)
• Belay device – Safety device that attaches to your harness with a locking carabiner. Used as a braking device during rappelling or belaying.
• Bouldering- Climbing close to the ground, without a rope for protection.
• Carabiner or Biner (pronounced “beaner”) - Spring-loaded device used to connect, hold, and attach a variety of different climbing paraphernalia. The paper clip of climbing.
• Locking carabiner – The only carabiner used to attach a belay device to a harness.
• Chalk bag – Bag used to hold chalk which is used to keep hands dry and better able to grip holds.
• Holds – Artificial replicas of outdoor rock features bolted onto an indoor climbing wall. These are the multi-colored objects that you use to climb the wall. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to allow route setters to vary the difficulty of climbs
• Rating – A measure of how difficult a climb is. The “5” indicates that it is technical rock climbing and the number after the decimal indicates the degree of difficulty. Generally, routes are rated from 5.4 – 5.13 in indoor climbing gyms.
• Routes - The path you climb up the wall. These are designed by route setters who consider a variety of factors to make routes challenging to all skill levels.