*CRG Waltham is a bouldering and fitness only facility.
General Policies
| Be courteous of other climbers in the facility. |
| You must adhere to the safety policies of the facility. No arguing or debating with staff about safety issues. |
| We reserve the right to restrict all privileges to the facility at any time if customers do not adhere to our policies. |
| Belay and safety instruction is only allowed by qualified CRG staff members. Any customer caught teaching others how to belay or tie in may be removed from the facility. |
| Keep chalk in your chalk bag at all time. Do not remove chalk socks from the chalk bag, create chalk clouds, or throw chalk balls. |
| No horseplay (swinging on ropes, running, screaming, gymnastics), save the energy for getting up the wall. |
| No food, drinks, or gum on the blue or black flooring. Drinks must be in closed containers. No cups with lids/straws. |
| The elevator lift is not a toy. Ask a desk staff for assistance if you need to operate it. |
Bouldering Policies
General Bouldering Policies:
| Do not lay or sit on pads. |
| Never boulder without a mat below you. If there is not one, move one into position so you do not land on seams or between pads. |
| Do not walk, sit, stand, or climb under someone who is climbing. |
| Do not leave objects (phone, water bottle, etc) on padding. |
| Make sure chalk bags and buckets are not in the fall zone. |
| If you boulder while still wearing your harness, make sure to remove all gear from it first. |
| Boulder etiquette: Plan your route! When someone else is climbing, do not start a climb that interferes with the one they are on. |
| Do not flip the drag mats upside down. |
| Plan your route! When someone else is climbing, do not start a climb that interferes with the one they are on. |
If you’re in a facility without top out boulders:
| No topping out. |
If you’re in a facility with top out boulders:
| Only top-out in the designated top-out area (varies by location). |
| No climbing down from top-out areas. |
| No jumping from top-out areas. |
| The top-out area is not a place to hang out. Once you top-out, please exit the area and walk back downstairs. |
Top Rope Policies
| Belayer must pass a top rope test administered by a qualified CRG Staff immediately after their first check-in, after taking an Intro Belay class taught by CRG staff, or before using any rope walls, in order to become CRG belay certified. |
| Belayer must be at least 13 years old. |
| Belayer must use P.B.U.S. method of belaying. Belayer must continue to use this method at all times after the test has been passed. |
| Belayer must be standing while belaying. |
| Climber and Belayer must double-check all of their equipment before climbing. |
| Climber must tie in directly to their harness with a figure 8 follow through with at least 6 inches of tail and/or the fisherman’s back up knot. These are the only knots accepted at CRG. |
| Must use rope station indicated on the route card for the climb. |
| Do not use the ropes as a swing when tied in. |
| Do not interfere with other climbers. If someone is actively climbing on the wall do not begin a climb that interferes with their path. |
| Do not walk between a Belayer and the wall. Please walk around. |
| Do not stand more than 10′ from the wall when belaying as this impedes customers ability to walk behind belayers. |
| CRG Staff have sole discretion and authority to take away top rope climbing or belaying certifications if they find that the climber or belayer is improperly using their device or putting another person in danger. |
Lead Climbing Policies
| Belayer and climber must pass a lead test administered by a qualified CRG Staff before they are permitted to lead climb or lead belay in the gym. |
| Lead climbers and belayers must be at least 13 years old. |
| Lead tests can only be performed when there are at least 2 CRG Desk Staff working at the same time, and when it is not busy. |
| We do not offer partial lead certifications: you must lead climb AND belay in order to be certified. |
| No mock leading or mock lead belaying is allowed. Customers who wish to learn how to lead must take our Lead Climbing Class. |
| Ropes can be rented for a fee at the front desk. Ask our staff for more information. |
| You must provide your own rope, 9.5mm or thicker and a minimum of 35 meters in length. |
| Only qualified CRG staff may teach lead climbing during scheduled classes. |
| No skipping draws, back clipping, Z-clipping, or rope behind the leg. |
| No clipping off-route or climbing off-route. Follow the colored tape on each quickdraw for guidance if needed. |
| No top-roping on lead anchors, a.k.a. following a lead line. |
| No practice falling. |
| Lead belay methods can vary. Staff will determine the safety of the method being used. If the staff feel the method is unsafe, the belayer must alter their method or they will not be allowed to lead belay. |
| CRG Staff have sole discretion and authority to take away lead climbing or lead belaying certifications if they find that the climber or the belayer is improperly using their device or putting another person in danger. |
| Brake assisted devices are allowed in CRG facilities, (i.e. GriGri’s). However, any belayer who releases their brake hand from the brake strand at any time will no longer be allowed to use that device and will have to re-certify for lead belaying using a standard ATC. |
Auto Belay Policies
| You must be given an auto belay orientation by a CRG staff member prior to the use of an Auto Belay. |
| Minimum weight for use is 25lbs. Maximum weight is 310lbs. (Perfect Descent) or 330lbs. (True Blue). |
| Do not climb above an auto belay. |
| Do not climb into slack. If the auto belay is not properly retracting, down climb, and alert a CRG staff member immediately. |
| Only climb routes that end at the auto belay. |
| Never stand under a climber on an auto belay. |
| Check the auto belay for proper function and ensure your harness fits appropriately before using an auto belay. |
| Do not touch the quick draws on the wall while using an auto belay. |
| Children must have a parent clip them into the auto belay. |
| If an auto belay “sling shots” to the top of the wall, do not try to retrieve it. Let a staff member know immediately. |
| Perform a safety check on yourself each time before utilizing the auto belay. |
Fitness Area Policies
| You must be at least 16 years old to use exercise or cardio equipment. |
| Re-rack weights and put back what that you used when you are done. |
| Do not slam or drop your weights. |
| Wipe down equipment after use with cleaning wipes provided. |
| Weight room may be closed during Fitness Classes (see online schedule). |
Event Policies
| Participants must stay with the group. |
| Participants should only say positive and supportive things to their fellow climbers. |
| No bouldering is allowed before, during, or after the event. |
| Exercise equipment is off-limits. |
| No horseplay (swinging on ropes, running, screaming), save that energy for the climbing walls! |
| Climbers must wait patiently and take fair turns during the event. |
| Be respectful of other people in the gym. |
| Disrespectful behavior towards staff and others in the gym will result in revoked climbing privileges. |
| Once the event is over, participants may not continue to climb unless they pay for a day pass and gear rental. |
