F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Climbing for me?

  • Are you a human? Then yes! Crag X tries to be a welcoming space for all people. We hope to have people of all ages and athletic abilities in our gym. We also try to make sure we don’t exclude people of your race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or citizenship. We think every human can understand the joy that comes from climbing.

  • People climb for all kinds of reasons: friendship, fitness, adventure, to learn a new skill, to give their mind some calm and focus, to get strong, to get flexible, to conquer their fear of heights, to practice for outdoor climbing, to see if they like it, to be brave, to challenge themselves, to relax, and to learn from trying and falling and trying again.

What is it like at your Gym?

  • Crag X is a huge open space with 15m high walls. Our street front wall features a 15m tall wall of glass that lets in wonderful natural light. We have state of the art air system that completely changes over the air with fresh outside air every 2-3 hours. We are the closest thing to outside you can fit in a building. Our routes are 2m apart. All our top rope routes are lead-able. We have two large bouldering areas and an overhanging lead only wall. We are an indoor gym for outdoor climbers.

What do I need to do to come climbing at Crag X?

  • If you know how to belay, show us your skills and away you go.

  • New to climbing? Take our Top Rope Lesson and learn all you need to climb on your own.

  • Boulder only? You can climb at Crag X but still need to take our Belay Test. Visiting from out of town and want to have a quick boulder session? You can Defer the Belay test for up to two weeks. Can't belay? You can be signed in as a Non-Belayer by a qualified friend.

WHAT IF I HAVEN'T BEEN CLIMBING FOR SEVERAL YEARS?

  • As long as you can demonstrate a confident hand sequence belaying, put on a harness correctly and tie into a rope using a figure eight follow through you can climb at Crag X. Although we can't teach you to belay during a belay check, we are often able to guide your memory and get the rust off. Better yet, take a class with us. Our beginner lesson will get you up to speed and comes with a two week mini-membership.

WHAT BELAY HAND SEQUENCE DO YOU ALLOW?

  • Although we teach the PBUS method of belaying, we allow any sequence that protects the brake line at all times and is executed competently and with attention. (What don't we allow? See this.)

PBUS??

  • It stands for Pull, Brake, Under and Slide.

I'VE NEVER USED A GRIGRI, WHAT IS IT? I ONLY KNOW HOW TO BELAY WITH ANOTHER DEVICE!

  • A GriGri is an assisted braking belay device. The hand sequence for belaying with a GriGri is the same sequence for any belay device and we'd be glad to help you adapt your belaying skills to the device during the belay check. Longer video on the GriGri.

I want to Bring My Non-Climber Friend.  How does that Work?

  • As long as you have been belay tested on a previous visit, you can sign in one friend and pledge to take care of all the safety for their visit. We'll have you both sign a Non-Belayer Agreement.

  • One Non-Belayer per Belayer. Climb together. No teaching.

Can I rent gear?

  • You bet! Shoes, climbing harness and chalk are all available to rent. Click for prices.

  • All other equipment is provided as part of your admission. This includes ropes and belay devices for top-rope and lead climbing.

  • We only rent gear for use inside Crag X.

Do I need to bring my own belay device?

  • Nope, we take care of that. We have grigris attached to every rope. We do not allow outside belay devices to be used in the gym. Check out a lead rope? Please leave your ID with us.

I need to move my beginner lesson, how do I do that?

  • Our online booking system will let you move to another lesson, as long as you make the change more than 48 hours before the lesson. Need to make a change after that? Give us a call at (250) 383-4628 and our staff can move your lesson for you. Remember the conditions page when you booked - if you cancel within 24 hours (or don't show up) you loose 100% of your payment. Cancel from 48 to 24 hours ahead of the lesson and you lose 50% of your payment. We think that's fair.

Do you have lead climbing?

  • Oh yes we do. Nearly everything can be lead.

  • Our Lead Test is $15 and you need to be able to belay a leader with a GRIGRI.

  • Our Lead Course includes the cost of the Lead Test in addition to the lesson and a practice test.

Do I have to use a GriGri even though I am lead climbing?

  • Yes. All belaying in Crag X is done with a GriGri. Want more info on the GriGri and leading? Check out Petzl.

What if I just want to boulder?

  • No problem. Boulderers still must sign our waiver and go through a facility orientation. You still need to be able to pass our belay test. Everyone in the facility must be a qualified belayer or under the supervision of one.

  • Just travelling through town or want a taste of Crag X? Get your Belay Test Deferred for two weeks. After the two weeks are up, you will have to take (and pass!) our test or schedule a lesson with us.

Can I climb shirtless and/or barefoot at your gym?

Nope, we require tops, bottoms, and shoes on at all times for hygiene and safety reasons.

Why do you guys Run your Gym the way you do?

Have a look at this post that explains our choices.

Do you have Belayers on staff?

  • Nope! Sign up for our Beginner Lesson and learn to work the ropes yourself or have a friend bring you in to try it out!

Can you find me a climbing partner?

While we can't guarantee a climbing partner for you there are some things you can try:

  • Let us know when you arrive that you'd be up for being introduced to another climber.

  • Sign up on our partner chalk board in the studio.

  • Come to Friendly Friday on the first Friday of the month at 7pm. Community member will be there to introduce you to other people looking for a partner.

  • Join the Crag X Facebook group and post there.

  • Introduce yourself to another climber!

  • No luck? Use our Tru-Blue Autobelay and climb on your own.

I am between the ages of 12-17 and I want to climb with my friends?

You can but there are a few things you'll need first:

  • You must have a waiver signed by your legal guardian

  • If you have belayed before you will have to pass a belay check

  • If you've never belayed before you'll have to take a youth lesson (12-16) or a beginner lesson (16+)

  • Youth under 18 are not allowed to sign in non-belayers

What is Power Hour?

  • Power hour is $13 entry after 9:00pm sharp until closing time at 11pm. We may not be able to offer belay checks during this time so if you've never been to our gym before please come earlier and do a belay orientation and climbing session at the regular day pass rate.

  • Belayers may only sign in one non-belayer.

  • The music is gonna be loud.

EFT and Prepaid Year Member Benefits:

  • Get two guest passes a month to bring new people climbing. More info on buddy passes here.

  • Go ahead and sign in and take care of two Non-Belayers at a time instead of one.

  • Reduced price on select events and courses.

  • Sliding Scale Membership for those who need it.

How does the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Membership Work?

  • We’ve got a whole page all about EFT.

  • Memberships are not on contract and you may cancel at anytime. To cancel, let us know by filling out our Membership Change Form.

  • Crag X may revoke your membership at any time for any reason.

How can I Freeze my Membership?

  • Yes you can. Conditions and details available at our EFT Membership page.

  • Make sure you fill out the Member Change Request form by the 7th of the month to have it come into effect when billing runs on the 10th.

Do you have Gift Certificates?

Crag X Instagram?

  • Instagram is right here. Tweet? Sort of. Have a look here. Want to see our Instagram stuff without showing ID? We got you.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY PUNCHES if I haven't been for a while?

  • Punches never expire, so they will be still be good for a day pass. Always. Forever.

Climbing is part of my life but my financial situation is tough at the moment. Help a person out?

What are the COVID things you guys are doing?

  • Masks are not required to climb at Crag X. Have a look at our COVID19 FAQ and find out more about our approach.

I heard something about a recall on certain GriGris.  Are you on top of this?

  • Not to worry, we've checked our serial numbers and the recall does not affect our equipment. Details of the 2011 recall here.

I'm a sponsored Climber and want to climb at Crag X. Do you have something for me?

  • National Team Members climb free. BC Team members 16+ too. Email cronin@cragx.ca to set it up.

Do you sell your old ropes?

  • We do! Old ropes can be purchased at the front desk for $10. Old ropes are not to be used for climbing or any safety-related activity. You must sign a document upon purchase promising you’ll use the rope appropriately.

What events are coming up?

I’d like to inquire about a donation/sponsorship?

  • We love supporting local community events. Send an email to ella@cragx.ca to get started.

How do I get better at climbing?

What’s this I hear about the Crag X Library?

  • We’ve got quite the collection of guidebooks ranging from local to international. Check out our selection here. Members can loan books for up to 2 weeks at a time.

When do you routeset?

  • Setting happens on Mondays and Wednesdays. We open at noon on these days to allow the setters to get most of their work done, but there are usually some finishing touches to smooth out until around 4pm.

Can I bring my kids climbing?

  • Yes! Kids are welcome at Crag X from opening to 6pm every day, with some restrictions. See our child policy for full details.

Can I climb alone?

  • Yep, we’ve got some great bouldering and autobelays for the solo climber.

What’s this Community Climb Days thing?

I want to climb outside, where should I go?

Who owns this joint anyway?