Welcome to Übergrippen!
If you are new to climbing with us, we want to make sure you have the most rewarding experience possible. We offer a variety of climbing options (for ages 3 to 93), fitness classes, and community events to keep you active and engaged.
These 4 steps below will help you understand the requirements necessary and your options to enjoy your day as much as possible.
Next Steps
1. Prepare for your visit.
All first-time visitors are required to complete a Release of Liability.
Filling out our Release of Liability online before you arrive will save you 10 minutes and you’ll get climbing much quicker. If you are under 18, your waiver must be completed by your parent or state-appointed legal guardian only (NO EXCEPTIONS). If a child is climbing with other family or friends, be sure to have the child’s parents or legal guardians fill out the form online before they arrive.
On weekend afternoons, we often have birthday parties that rent out our kid’s/beginner area (aka The Alcove). If you are planning on bringing young kids during these times, please check our calendar below.
2. Get oriented.
Answer some common questions before you arrive.
Nope! Just come in, but we do recommend you complete your waiver ahead of time to make your checkin process faster.
Anytime we are open! All hours are open to all. Our “kids area” is closed from 3:30 to 5:30 on weekends for private birthday parties. For special hours and closures check here: https://ugclimbing.com/denver/closures/
No! While a parent or a chaperone (age 14+) is required to help climbers under age 14 climb, they are not required to climb during their time at the crag!
We have open cubbies available for you to stash your personal items. If you bring a lock with you, you can also use our lockers. Lockers are free as long as you don’t leave things overnight.
That’s totally fine! Übergrippen is a great place for new climbers to try out the sport. We regularly welcome people who have never climbed before and will always have staff on hand to help you get started. On your first visit we will provide an orientation on our Auto-Belay systems and bouldering area, which will open up over 200 routes for you to try!
That’s also fine! It’s not required that you pass a belay certification test before using the auto-belays in our facility.
Before you begin climbing, we will give you a quick orientation to the facility & show you how our staff would like you to use our TRUBLUE auto-belay systems. Auto-Belays are simple to use, but do require attention and focus to use properly. We will provide you with a brief safety review and procedure before you start using these systems on your own.
That’s great! Please tell the folks at the front desk that you’d like to take a belay test after you pay for your day pass and we will do our best to get you tested as soon as possible.
Items that are covered under the belay test:
Harness – Participant must put on a harness correctly and explain how they know that it is fitted properly.
Climber – Participant must demonstrate how to properly tie in to climb using a figure-8 follow through knot and be able to check their knot.
Belayer – Participant must properly set up an approved, assisted-braking belay device (ABD) per manufacturers’ specifications. No ATC’s or other passive tube-style devices are allowed.
Buddy Checks – This is a critical step that needs to be performed by belayers and climbers before EVERY climb. We will expect you to demonstrate a comprehensive buddy check as part of the top rope belay certification. Take care of your partner; make sure you are always doing detailed buddy checks.
Belay Technique – Participant must demonstrate a proficiency in top-rope belaying. The belayer’s brake hand must remain in constant control of the brake strand of the rope. Belayer must immediately and properly catch at least two simulated top-rope falls and lower safely while keeping the brake hand on the rope and below the belay device.
If you have previous experience with lead climbing and wish to do it, please let our staff know. We will perform a lead climb and lead belay certification. Lead climbers and belays must demonstrate a knowledge of the risks and dangers of lead climbing. Our lead climbing test requires that you demonstrate proper clipping and foot work. Lead belayers must keep an appropriate amount of slack out throughout the climb, know where to position themselves to avoid collisions, properly use their belay device according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and properly catch falls.
3. Climbing Options.
We offer four different climbing options:
Auto-Belay Climbing
This is the best place for new climbers to start. Using our auto-belays requires a 2-minute orientation, and then you’ll be able climb any of the auto-belay routes ranging from 5.6 (easy) to 5.13 (hard).
Bouldering
Bouldering is climbing under 16 feet without rope or harness. Since every fall is a ground fall, we don’t recommend that first time climbers try bouldering until they are comfortable with falling from height. Kids under 14 are not permitted in the bouldering area without an additional bouldering orientation and bouldering agreement form signed by their parent or legal guardian.
Top-Rope Climbing
A top-rope test (~5 mins) is needed in order to top-rope belay in our facility. If you don’t already have the skills, we are happy to teach you in our Learn to Belay class (free for ÜG members).
Lead Climbing
A lead test (~10 mins) is needed in order to lead climb & lead belay in our facility. If you don’t already have the skills, we are happy to teach you in our Learn to Lead class.
4. Consider your options to
progress as a climber.
Climbing for the first time is always a challenge, but climbers get stronger and learn to use better technique the more often they climb, so we’d love to see you again.
You can always sign up for a membership to get unlimited access to all of our ÜG locations, including all of the fitness and yoga classes. Our front desk staff will be happy to share the best options we have to accommodate your needs. If you end up purchasing a membership the day that you purchased a day pass, your day pass admission will be applied towards your membership costs.
If you aren’t ready for a membership, consider purchasing a 10-punch pass to save a few bucks on the day-visit costs and you can share them with your friends and family.
