FAQ/Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

General Rules:

1. All climbers must check in at the front desk.

2. All climbers must have a valid Acknowledgment of Risk (AOR). Minors bringing an AOR signed by a parent or guardian must also bring a copy of the signer’s driver’s license.

3. Parents are responsible for their children. Children under the age of 12 must either have adult supervision or be a participant in a Vertical Challenge program.

4. Harnesses must be commercial products designed for climbing. Rescue, tree and fire equipment is not permitted.

5. Shoes must be worn. No barefoot climbing, open-toed sandals, hiking boots or hard soled shoes.

6. No climbing with personal stereos, iPods, etc.

7. Participants will be charged for unreturned rental equipment.

8. Everyone in the climbing area must display their tag. All others must remain in the registration and observation areas.

9. No teaching or instruction except by Vertical Challenge staff.

10. The Vertical Challenge is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

11. Water in “sport bottles” is allowed in the climbing area. No other food, drinks or gum are allowed on the padded landing surface.

12. Drugs, alcohol or objectionable language are not permitted. We are a PG-13 facility. Offenders may be removed without refund.

13. The Vertical Challenge reserves the right to expel any participant judged unsafe or objectionable to other customers.

 

Bouldering at The Vertical Challenge:

The bouldering terrain at VC is truly radical. As such, boulderers must take responsibility for not climbing beyond their ability, ensuring their own safety and the safety of others in the bouldering area.

1. Bouldering is only allowed in the bouldering area.

2. Never boulder underneath anybody else.

3. Small mats should be positioned over the spaces between the large colored mats. Never move mats when someone is climbing.

4. Topping out is only allowed using the marked routes. Any climber attempting to top out requires a spotter. Only 1 top out attempt is allowed at a time.

5. Climbers are responsible for appointing their own spotters.

6. Climbers should always assess their comfort level in spotting another climber, or in being spotted. Nobody is ever obligated to spot!

 

Climbing Etiquette:

1. Climbers are encouraged to stretch and loosen or warm up prior to climbing.

2. Please do NOT step on the ropes.

3. Climb Safe!! All climbers must use a belayer-check-climber and climber-check-belayer system before every climb.
Check each other’s harness, knot, belay device and anchor.

4. Climb Safe!! Always use standard climbing commands:
“On belay?” “Belay on!” “Climbing?” “Climb on!”

5. Climbers should never climb faster than the belayer can keep the rope secure. The belayer should let them know if they need to slow down.

6. Please stay on line, on route and avoid crossing other ropes. Climbers should never climb directly above or below others on the wall.

7. Remove all jewelry, watches, keys, etc. These objects can cause injury and break. They are also bad for the crash pads!

8. Don’t "hog" that rope! If you and you partner have climbed the route, give the rope to those waiting.

9. Keep your eyes open! We encourage experienced climbers to help nOObs.

 

Climbing with Children-Ages & Supervision

1. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Drop-offs are not permitted except for parties and supervised activities.

2. Children 8 and under must have one-on-one Direct adult supervision.
“Direct” means either within arm’s length or on belay.

3. Leaving unaccompanied children behind in the Lounge or lobby to belay in the gym area is NOT permitted. If you bring more than one child please plan accordingly!

4. Children under 8 must be accompanied to the rest rooms.

Kid’s Climbing Rules & Etiquette

1. Swinging from the ropes or pulling them is never permitted.

2. No one under age 12 is allowed in the bouldering area unless participating in a VC program.

3. Running and unsupervised roaming are not permitted. This rule will be strictly enforced.

4. No food or drinks in the Gym. Water in “sport bottles” is allowed in the main area.

5. Please use your “indoor voice” in the main climbing area.

6. No horseplay in the Gym area.

7. When climbing in the Gym area please exercise restraint in selecting routes. If other climbers are waiting and the climber can’t make the climb in a couple attempts please move on to another route.
 
ANY VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY RULES WILL RESULT IN THE OFFENDING GUEST BEING REMOVED FROM CLIMBING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!
 
 
:
Location and Hours
The Vertical Challenge Rock Gym at the Xtreme Plex in Monee, IL 

Now Open!

6360 W. Emerald Parkway Suite 110  Monee, IL 60449

Just West of I-57 at the exit. Go West to Ridgeland, turn Left to Emerald and the second bldg. South end. 

Hours:

Wed-Thurs- Fri: 4 PM- 10 PM

Sat: 11 AM- 10 PM

Sun: 11 AM- 6 PM


Contact us at 708.534.7005
 

Rock Climbing Safety Rules

Indoor rock climbing and bouldering involves certain inherent risks. It is the participant’s responsibility to understand these risks and make the decision to participate. At The Plex all climbers and boulderers must acknowledge these risks and take personal responsibility for their own safety by signing our Acknowledgment of Risk agreement(waiver).
 

 
 

 

Do You have a Belayer??

Belaying.” is the process of managing the safety rope. Every climber at VC requires a belayer. Unlike some recreation centers and climbing gyms, The VC does NOT provide automatic belay devices for unattended climbing. Nor do we routinely provide belayers or “attendants” to manage the safety ropes. It’s important to understand exactly what this means. If you can’t belay and you haven’t arranged for a belayer in advance, you probably won’t be able to climb. We strongly urge first time visitors to call ahead to discuss what arrangements would be best for you or your group.

Climbing sessions with our belayers are generally 1 hour long. Our belayers are specially trained to work with first-time climbers and make sure everyone is having a great time. To ensure the best climbing experience we limit the number of belayers on the floor at any time. Everyone will get plenty of climbing while at the same time getting the rest breaks they need to climb their best.

Belayers are available on weekends by appointment or on a first-come first-served basis. Weekends fill up very fast. Avoid disappointment! It’s advisable to book several days in advance. Weekday belayer availability is limited. Please call to discuss the specifics of your visit so we can arrange staffing.

NUTS & BOLTS
Pricing below includes gym entry fee, belayer fee, and harness rental. Climbing shoe rental and belayer tip are not included.

* 1 hour of unlimited climbing for 1 climber with a VC belayer: $25
* Each additional climber: $10(pass and harness)
* Additional 30 minutes of climbing: $5

Availability & Times:
Staff belayers are available during regular Open Hours
Belayers are on a first-come first-served basis. To avoid disappointment we strongly discourage walk-ins for 1 hour belay slots. It’s best to arrive a few minutes early to get signed in and get geared up. Arriving late may cut your session short.

Reservations:
Reserve your time slot by calling several days ahead. Otherwise it’s first-come first-serve (and on weekends it’s long odds).

Group size & ages:
To ensure a quality climbing experience for you and our members, belay groups are limited to a total of 4 people per belayer. This can be up to 4 climbers, 1 climber and 3 observers or any other combination. We cannot “double up” belayers for larger groups. If your party is over 4 climbers please call to arrange a group visit. The minimum age for a belay group is 5.

Clothing & gear:
Kids should wear sneakers. We’ll provide everything else! Clothing should allow freedom of movement. Very baggy clothes and short shorts can make the harness uncomfortable. What works for yoga works well for climbing.

Waiver:
Everyone needs a waiver to climb. For climbers under 18 it must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. If you are bringing other kids please make sure that their parent has completed the waiver. You can download one here.

 

 
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