RockClimbingHangout.com

you climb walls in a climbing gym

Yep, you’ll need a climbing partner. Some gyms have a list you can put your name on when you go in, and that way when other people without partners show up, they can just look at that list and find a belay partner.

Yes, anyone who is belaying will need to first pass a belay test. I used to go to a gym by myself and boulder until I meet a group of 3 (or 5 or 7), who need another climber to make even pairs.

I would highly reccomend you find someone at the gym who climbs outdoors and would like to take you out. Outdoors is the way to go.

yes, they expect you to bring your own belayer. some gyms have an automatic belay device you can hook into, but only on one or two routes, and they don’t give you the same results as a real person on belay to help stop your fall. some gyms will even have enough staff members so that at least one will be available to belay for you, but most gyms have minimal staffing. most gyms will not require a membership for a person who is just going to be doing the belaying, but if they want to climb they will have to at least purchase a day pass. your belayer will be required to sign a waiver and watch an instructional video or attend a designated belaying class before they are allowed on the wall.

Every gym is different - but for the most part other people will be there, and I’ll bet some of them would be happy to belay you. Bringing a partner doesn’t hurt in case it’s a slow day and few others are there. Some gyms will allow you to use self-belay, but that’s more dangerous and requires more skill and experience. In some gyms staff members are there specifically to belay climbers - but again it depends on the gym. So in conclusion, yes I would reccomend you bring a partner - however it isn’t the end of the world if they can’t come. Hope that helps…