WHAT IS INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING?

Bouldering is the simplest type of climbing. It involves climbing lower to the ground than you typically would when using a rope. Bouldering tends to be a more powerful and sometimes dynamic type of climbing to present a challenge in a short distance. Many people like bouldering because they can do it without a partner. Although lower to the ground, bouldering is no less dangerous than any other type of climbing because there is no rope to catch you, only padding on the ground.

This is our most popular form of climbing! Auto-Belays are one of the two types of rope climbing we have at our facility. If you don't have a partner and still want to climb with the comfort of a rope, then this is the best option for you. Simple and efficient, the climber is attached to a lanyard that follows them up the wall and lowers them automatically. Everyone who comes to our facility will be instructed on the proper use of these devices. They allow the climber to maximize their experience and time on the wall.

Top Roping is one of the two types of rope climbing at Aiguille and requires at least two participants: the climber and the belayer. This system is more advanced than our Auto-Belays and requires a class to be used. The rope is suspended from an anchor at the "top" of a wall. One end is attached to the climber, the other to the belayer. The belayer controls the rope as the climber ascends the wall. In a fall, the belayer stops the climber’s descent. When the climber wishes to come down at the top or partway up the wall, the belayer lowers the climber back to the ground. If two people are climbing, they take turns belaying for each other. Those wishing not to climb may still belay for another climber.

Classes are on Mondays at 11 am, Tuesdays at 6 pm, Wednesdays at 6 pm, Thursdays at 5 pm, Fridays at 6 pm, Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 6 pm.

You may have seen other types of climbing in media, many of which cannot be performed inside a climbing gym. Traditional Climbing, or "Trad" Climbing, involves placing your protection points on the rock as you climb. Ice climbing can be done using axes and spiked boots (called "crampons") to gain purchase on the ice wall. Free soloing is like bouldering but at excessive heights, where most people use a rope. Mountaineering is a blend of many skills, frequently hiking low-angled terrain to reach a distant summit. Many of the skills needed for these types of climbing can be taught in a simulated environment at Aiguille. Visit our classes page for details.