Nope! With the information available on this site and some pointers from our friendly front-desk staff, you’ll be more than prepared for your first session. If you’re interested in more in-depth guidance, we also offer private instruction with our expert coaches who can help you identify and pursue your goals in climbing.

The type of climbing we offer (see next question) requires very little. Specialized shoes are helpful for making effective use of footholds and chalk improves your grip. We provide both on-site, so functional attire is really all you need on your first day! We recommend athletic-wear that allows you a full range of motion.

Bouldering is a discipline of climbing performed without ropes. It can be done solo without a partner, although many people enjoy the social element of bouldering in a group. The DBC is a bouldering-only gym. Our walls stop at a height from which you can fall safely onto the padded flooring below. A little more on safety in the next question. Bouldering is the fundamental building block of all free-climbing.

At the DBC, a boulder problem is a color-coded set of climbing holds installed by our setters with a specific difficulty and array of movements in mind. To choose your boulder, look for holds with laminated tags on them within reach of the ground. These are start holds, and each boulder problem will have one or two. You’ll see a letter on the tag indicating difficulty (“E” is the easiest, more on grades below), and if there is a second start hold it will be labeled “Start”. Looking up, you should be able to spot another hold with a “Finish” tag. If there is none, the climb finishes on top of the wall (North Gym only). The goal is to pull onto the wall using only the start hold(s) and same-colored foot holds and then climb through to grab the finish hold with both hands without touching any other colors.

Climbing is inherently dangerous, but proper safety precautions help reduce risk. Injuries are rare. The main thing to keep in mind is that without ropes, every fall is a fall to the ground. Try to stay loose and absorb impact with your legs, completing the fall on your backside if necessary. The goal is to reduce the impact on vulnerable joints, so feel free to climb down as well before dropping off the wall. When not climbing, be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are clear of any area where a climber could swing or land. Our staff can demonstrate falling technique for you at the gym and answer any questions you may have.