First things first! As a complete novice to indoor climbing, it would be very helpful to know about the “unwritten code” of indoor climbing prior to your first session at Climbing Wall Exeter. This will save lots of confusion and make your experience so much better for yourself and everyone else!
Wait Your Turn on a Route
Don’t start climbing the same route as someone already on the wall. Wait until they have finished and stepped off the end of the wall. Climbers hovering below on the same route as someone climbing are distracting and potentially dangerous. Give them space and then have your go on the route.
Keep the Landing Zone Clear
Clear the Landing Zone (the mat at the bottom of the route). This is for the rare event of a climber falling off. If someone is climbing on a route, make sure to keep well to the side with any bags, shoes, etc. Avoid standing directly under the climber as this can be distracting.
Don’t Give Unsolicited Beta
“Beta” refers to information about a climb, particularly moves on a wall. This can be extremely helpful to some climbers, and completely unhelpful to others. It’s polite to ask a fellow climber if they would like information about a route, for example by asking “do you want any beta?”
Sort Your Chalk and Shoes
Remember to clear excess chalk from your hands before stepping off the matted area with your climbing shoes. Climbing shoes are expensive and can be damaged easily – try to wear them only inside the Climbing Wall and avoid walking outside with them as this can spread grit from the soles to the holds on the wall and also wear down the rubber.
Use Standard Belay Commands
Be aware of the standard UK call-and-response used by instructors with recognised belay and climbing qualifications. This includes ‘Take’ to pull in the rope, ‘Climb when ready’ to start climbing, ‘Climbing’ to confirm you are climbing and ‘Climb’ to confirm you are continuing to climb. By using these standard terms you will be able to climb with instructors and other climbers from your very first session.
Follow these basics and you’ll fit in from your very first session at Climbing Wall Exeter.
Sort Your Chalk and Shoes
Make sure to clear chalk from your hands before walking off the matted floor area with them. Climbing shoes on the other hand are to be worn inside the climbing area only, as the outside rubber can get damaged and spread grit to the holds.
