Climbing Wall Policies

General

Every person entering the climbing area must check in at the desk with current ID
card/keytag and must have completed a waiver and orientation before being allowed to
climb. Youth aged 17 & under must have parent/guardian consent. Climbers must be in
compliance with all facility guest policies.
No food or beverages allowed on the climbing floor or bouldering pad surface.
Roped climbing is only allowed during staffed wall hours.
Youth aged 5-17 must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult at all times.
Youth must be able to fit properly into a harness to climb on the wall.

Attire

Climbers must wear closed toed athletic shoes while on the climbing wall or boulder.
Footwear with a bottom sole and secure heel must always be worn when belaying (i.e.
no bare feet).
Shirts must be worn at all times.
Socks must always be worn with rental shoes.
No headphones/earbuds are allowed when roped climbing/belaying.
Wireless earbuds are permitted when bouldering.
No dangly jewelry or metal rings are permitted while climbing.

Equipment

KSU Climbing Facility ropes are the only ropes allowed for use. Ropes for lead climbing
are available upon request for climbers who are approved to both lead climb and lead
belay
Personal climbing equipment may be used upon approval by the KSU Climbing Staff.
Climbing equipment must be used per the manufacturer’s instructions and approved by
the UIAA or CE.
Belay devices must be attached to the harness by means of a locking carabiner.
Chalk may only be used in a chalk ball in a chalk bag. (i.e. no loose chalk)

Bouldering

When bouldering during non-open hours, a bouldering pass must be checked out from
the south desk.
No topping out (no climbing on top of the Boulder).
When bouldering on the wall, hands must not go higher than the bottom row of quickdraws.
Boulderers must always yield to roped climbers.
Using a spotter while bouldering is highly recommended. Spotters must always use
proper technique.
- Hands cupped to form “spoons” not “forks” to avoid hand/finger injuries.
- Do not try to catch a climber. Direct falls on to pads and away from hard objects.
- Protecting the head, neck, and back is spotter’s primary goal.

Top Rope

Climbing is not allowed above the top rope anchors and is limited to climbing surfaces
only.
A figure-8 follow through knot with appropriate tail length is the only climbing knot
allowed and it must be tied directly into the harness at the appropriate attachment
point(s).
Climbers must pass a Belay Skills Check or attend and pass a Belay Certification class
before engaging in top rope belaying on the wall.
Belayers must stand while belaying and must use only the endorsed PBUS method.
- (Pull, Break, Under, Slide)
Belay Skills Checks must be renewed one year from original certification.
Climbers must be at least 16 years of age and be certified by a KSU Climbing Staff
member in order to be allowed to belay.
Advanced instruction is only to be performed by KSU Climbing Staff.
Open wounds and/or blood must be covered and immediately reported to a KSU
Climbing Wall Staff Member.
Respect your fellow climbers. Take turns on top ropes and respect the use of wall space
per each rope.

Thank you for observing these policies. Individuals not cooperating with the established policies or staff instruction will be asked to leave and may have their privileges revoked. Staff has the authority in policy enforcement. Staff reserves the right to suspend or terminate privileges for inappropriate or unsafe behavior or failure to abide by facility policies.