Indoor Climbing at SSA

The price with your own gear is $22.00. If you need gear the cost is $28.00. If you plan on becoming a climbing legend you may want to inquire about punch cards for additional savings.

Stone Summit is one of the nation's largest indoor climbing gym. Whether you are a beginner or a world class athlete, they have a climb for you. Stone Summit has walls extending 25 feet to 60 feet high to challenge both your strength and mind, and a bouldering room that will not bore even the most fanatical gym rats. New routes go up on a weekly basis. In addition to climbing, yoga, and spin, Stone Summit also has a fitness center, consisting of cardio equipment, circuit training, and free weights. 

After you arrive at Stone Summit, pay at the front desk first. Get the equipment if you don't have it and walk to the left side of the gym. That is where you'll find the trip leader(s).

Climbing, by nature, is small group event. You will find small groups of AOC folks scattered around the gym trying out different walls to climb. There are a number of self belays spread throughout the facility with various difficulty ratings.

Also be aware that climbing is a partner concept. One person belays, the other climbs. And then they switch. As someone new to climbing, not being able to return the favor of belaying is fine. But the faster you become belay certified, the better it is for everyone. It's a free certification at this gym, pretty easy to do, and helps out someone else who wants to climb while you're resting from the climb you just did. Trust me, climbing is much more fun when you belay.

Note that it is not the Trip Leader responsibility to teach you how to climb. However, the Trip Leader and other experienced AOC climbers are most likely going to be there and willing to give advice and get you started on the right path.

The routes you choose can be as easy or as hard as you want. You don't need to feel intimidated. Every advanced climber was a beginner at some point in their lives. If you get tired, you can stop to rest, sit around, watch other climbers, or just socialize. The most important thing in rock climbing is not to conquer every route in the gym, but to have fun while you are climbing.

If you are a regular, we may ask you to accept one of the beginners in your group. You don't have to do it, but this helps us a lot especially when there are a lot of new climbers.

Thanks to Jim W for letting me copy his post.

- Wear clothes that allow you to move freely.

The facility rents everything you need there to climb.

- It is a good idea to wear pants that cover your knees and protect them from scrapes.
- If you plan to wear rental shoes, you would probably want to have a pair of liner socks.
- Climbing shoes
- Harness
- Stone Summit Approved Belay device
- Locking carabiner(s)
- Chalk Bag