Instruction Classes and Video

Available Classes (In Person)

Customers are welcomed and encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to their class start time. This allows ample time to settle in and be prepared for when the class begins. Instructors typically arrive 30 minutes early to their classes and will be here to allow entry to the facility. Please read and sign the Urban Krag Late Arrival and Rescheduling Policy below.

To schedule any of our instructional classes, please Contact Us with your contact information, the class you’re interested in and the date you’d prefer to take the class. One of our instructors will contact you to work out a schedule with you and answer any questions you may have.

A good rule of thumb is scheduling the class 10 days from you first contacting us. Our instructors also work in the gym so, gym work schedule take priority over scheduling instructional classes.

Introduction to Rock Climbing

Cost: $50 per person
Duration: 2.5 Hrs

This is an advanced version of our Belay Certification. We go into greater detail of safety principles, equipment strength and purposes, and how to belay with 2 types of belay devices. This is a great class for those wishing to advance their skills above simple rock wall climbing. This class will also certify you to belay at Urban Krag.

Rappelling

Cost: $80 per person
Duration: 2.5 Hrs

It’s a good idea to know how to get down before you go up. Did you know that the majority of climbing accidents occur during a rappel? This technique of getting to the ground can be very dangerous, if not deadly, if simple procedures are skipped or missed. We will teach you proper procedures to safely get you back on the ground.

Sport Climbing

Cost: $80 per person
Duration: 2.5 Hrs

This is lead climbing, the sharp end so to speak. A climber tows the rope along a route and secures themselves into protection installed in the rock. In lead climbing, the climbers falling distance is limited to twice the distance of their last protection. In other words, if the protection is 5′ below the lead climber and they fall, they fall at least 10′. Lead climbing requires keeping your wits about you, strategy, knowing your limits and foreseeing a dangerous situation. This class will teach you those things, including how to Belay a lead climber.

Technique

Cost: $60 per person, per hour

Learn basic and advanced techniques in person.

Instruction and Video (Self Learning)

These films are in no way intended to act as a substitute for competent and comprehensive instruction. Rock climbing is inherently dangerous, and it is your responsibility to get professional instruction before attempting any of these activities. These videos are only an overview of basic concepts for informational purposes only.

Knot Tying

Figure 8

To tie the first part of a figure 8, you’ll need about five feet of rope. First, make a bight in the rope. A bight is made by pinching a loop, Next you’ll twist the bight 360 degrees, clock wise. Then, reach through the bight and grab the free end of the rope, pulling it all the way through the bight.

Figure 8 (follow through)

To attach the figure 8 to your harness, feed the free end through the tie in points of the harness. Be careful. Your knot should be about a fists width from your harness. Next, follow the 8 pattern back through the knot, just like a train follows tracks. When you’re finished you can “dress” the knot by straightening any twists that occurred along the way.

Double Fisherman’s

Although the figure 8 is a great knot, everything in climbing has backups, so you should also tie a double fisherman’s knot above the 8. Wrap the rope twice around, coming closer to yourself with each wrap. After the second full wrap, slide the end up through the two loops. Pull this knot snugly; double-check all your knots. You’re almost ready to climb.

Climbing Techniques

Lead Climbing

Lead climbing is an advanced technique that does not include an anchor attached to the floor or a lift system from above. In this form of climbing you lead the pack as you climb up to the next clip above you without the assistance of the rope leading you higher. A different method is used in belaying as well, and is indeed much more difficult than Top Roping.

Bouldering

In bouldering the climber has no rope, no belayer and no harness to hold them up. Our 12 foot angled bouldering wall is great though for climbers to get better experience before the run up one of our larger walls. Bouldering presents it’s own puzzles, though, as the walls are built at various angles and difficulties.