IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to provide you the best climbing experience, if you do not know how to belay, please call us for reservations at 404-351-3009. We will be happy to discuss all your climbing options, based upon your experience, at that time. With a reservation, no experience is necessary.

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What is Belaying?

When you climb indoors, higher than shoulder height, you must wear a climbing harness which is attached to a climbing rope for safety. The method of climbing used most commonly in climbing gyms is called top-rope climbing. For top-rope climbing, one end of a climbing rope is tied to a climber's harness, while the opposite end of the rope runs through an anchor at the top of a climb, and then back down to a belay device attached to a belayer's harness. As the climber climbs, the belayer takes the slack out of the rope so that if the climber slips or falls, the belayer can arrest the fall at that spot. The climber can continue the climb from that point or choose to be lowered to the ground and try the climb again. Also, upon completion of a climb, the belayer's responsibility is to lower the climber safely to the ground.

Atlanta Rocks! requires a belay (safety) test before climbers are permitted to climb and belay unsupervised. During this test, belayers are required to use a standard belay device like an ATC, Jaws, Pyramid, Friction Plate, etc.

If you do not know how to belay, Atlanta Rocks! offers a number of programs that will allow you to experience climbing quickly without instruction. However, you may, as many people do, choose to take our Introduction to Gym Climbing Class (12 years old+) so that you can climb independently and belay other climbers. Please call Atlanta Rocks! at 404-351-3009 so that we can explain all your climbing options.

Atlanta Rocks! holds Introduction to Gym Climbing Classes daily and participants will learn basic climbing techniques, knots, belaying, climbing signals and the proper use of harnesses and other climbing equipment.