Arrival
Your first time on the mat
A calm first visit is about orientation, not performance — walk the floor, notice fall zones, and ask how tape colors work before you jump on.
Before you chalk up
- Look at the map — Boulder mats, rope lanes, and rest benches each have their own traffic pattern.
- Spot fall zones — Never stand under someone on the wall; give them room to land on the pad.
- Read one problem — Pick a color, trace it with your eyes, then try the first three moves.
- Reset when you rest — Brush holds if chalk builds up and step off the problem so others can try.
What to wear and bring
Clothing choices
- Flexible tops and bottoms that allow high steps and shoulder rotation.
- Hair tied back if it blocks vision when you look up.
- Layers you can peel after warming up on easy terrain.
Chalk & shoes
- Loose chalk in a bag, a ball, or liquid — pick what keeps your hands dry without dusting the whole room.
- Rental shoes versus your own pair — snug but not painful, with toes flat inside the sole.
- Remove rings or bracelets that snag on holds.
Gentle orientation
At the front desk you sign in, find rentals, and stash belongings. Orient on easy holds, warm up calmly, then explore harder lines when you feel steady.