Climb Wall Policies and Rules
- UT Recreational Services climbing staff must be present in order for members to climb
or be in the climbing area
- All participants must read and understand the climbing rules
- All participants are required to sign a policies and waiver form before being allowed
to climb
- All personal belongings and bags should be kept off the floors
- Items can be stored in lockers or cubbies
- A maximum of 6 people can be on the wall at a time
- Members and guests cannot climb above yellow line unless they are wearing a harness
and are properly tied in and belayed by either a UT Recreational Services Climb Wall
Specialist or by a person who holds a current UT Recreational Services climb card
- Climbing commands must always be used when top roping
Bouldering
- When bouldering at the UT Recreational Services the person’s waist must stay below
the yellow line
- Bouldering can be done by anyone age 5 or over, and no climb card is required
Top Roping
- When top roping climbers must be belayed by either a UT Recreational Services Climb
Wall Specialist or by a person who holds a current UT Recreational Services climb
card
- Quick descents or swinging from the rope will not be permitted
- Proper belay techniques and commands must be used at all times
- Climbers are required to use the UT Recreational Services equipment such as: Ropes,
Carabineers, and Belay Devices
- Only one climber per rope
- Never use lead climbing anchor as hold
- Tie belay ropes to looped anchor rope when not in use
- Top roping ropes must be tied to the daisy chains when not in use
Attire
- Climbers must wear clean athletic shoes, running shoes or climbing shoes
- Boots, sandals, hard-soled shoes or bare feet are not permitted
- All hand jewelry or long necklaces must be removed. Hair must be tied back when necessary
- All pockets must be free of items (e.g., coins, keys, knives, cell phones, etc.)
- No hats are permitted
Equipment
- Climbers with climb cards who are attempting to top rope must use Rec Center carabineers
and belay devices
- Climber using their own chalk bags must also use their own chalk
- UTREC Center provides harnesses for climbers wishing to top rope
- Personal harnesses are permitted but must pass inspection from the climb wall supervisor
on duty.
- Supervisors look for the following when inspecting personal harnesses:
- Manufactured less than 10 years ago
- Bend the belt in an inverted "U." Watch for frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches,
cuts or chemical damage.
- Check D-rings and D-ring metal wear pads for distortion, cracks, breaks, and rough
or sharp edges.
- The D-ring bar should be at a 90 degree angle with the long axis of the belt and should
pivot freely
Minimum Climb/Belay Age
- Climbers must be at least 5 years of age and able to fit into a child harness
- Please note minors (climbers 17 years of age and younger) must have a parent’s or
legal guardian’s signature on all forms
- You must be at least thirteen years of age to participate in a climb clinic, to hold
a climb card, and to use the belay devices
Printable Climb Wall Policies and Rules