Plan A Visit

100% of people. Even if you aren’t climbing. Minors must have a fully-completed waiver, signed only by a parent or legal guardian. No one else can complete a waiver on behalf of a minor.

Complete a Salt Pump Portsmouth waiver.

Bouldering is a low-height (<15ft), no rope form of climbing. We’ll show you proper fall techniques and how to manage your risk. If we compare climbing to running, top rope climbing is like running a mile and bouldering is like the 40yard dash. It is an enjoyable form of athletic problem solving!

Please view the following graphic (or view/download a PDF) for an explanation of our Circuit Grading for bouldering.

Yes. Shoes, chalk bags, and harnesses are available for rent. We also have a full selection of shoes and harnesses for sale.

Yes, we offer a variety of ADULT climbing classes. We also offer a bunch of YOUTH programs & camps as well.

Yes! We'd love to have you join our community. You can sign up for a membership online.

Wear some comfortable and stretchy shorts or pants you'd normally wear for indoor activities and sports. You’ll want to avoid jeans (a bit restrictive) or anything too bulky. If you’ll be wearing a harness, we recommend shorts that go past mid thigh so the leg straps don’t chafe.

We sure do!

Our Scarborough location has a beginner’s slab (low angle wall) on the mezzanine, as well as an introductory wall that is only 25’ high and has 4 Auto-belays on it.

Our Portsmouth location has an area that is specifically for kids. We designed these spaces to be engaging for youth and families. It is a mix of bouldering and Auto-belays.

Yes. Rock climbing is dangerous. Highly-attentive adult supervision is crucial for the safety of youth and others during all indoor activities at Salt Pump.

Any youth (younger than 14) must be actively supervised by the adult who is responsible for them during their visit to the gym (aka not sitting nearby on a cell phone). Any parent, guardian or chaperone responsible for a youth must maintain direct supervision over the youth during the entirety of their visit. An adult cannot supervise more than 2 youth at a time.

Auto-belays are machines for climbing our tall walls without a belayer (the machine belays you!). A climber must weigh more than 25lbs and less than 330lbs to use one.

Yes, you do need to be certified to use one, but it only takes a few minutes and it’s a part of your complimentary orientation.

Check out this video for how it works:

CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS. CLIMBING PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT INHERENT RISK OF SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY, INCLUDING PARALYSIS OR DEATH. WHEN YOU OR THE CHILDREN FOR WHOM YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE CLIMB AT SALT PUMP CLIMBING CO., YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CLIMBING. THE FLOORING WILL NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

• Everyone must have a signed and complete waiver on file. Those younger than 18 years old must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.
• Everyone must check in at the front desk at the beginning of every visit. If you have not checked in, you do not have permission to climb or use our facilities.
• Any youth under the age of 14 must be actively supervised by adult(s) who are responsible for them during their visit to our facility.
• Never climb above, below, or near another climber. Never stand, sit, or walk in an area where another climber could fall.
• Climbing shoes must be worn while climbing.
• Please don’t run, yell, or swing on ropes like Tarzan.
• Keep climbing areas clear of hazards – personal items (water bottles, phones, keys, etc.) should be placed in cubbies and lockers. No food or drink on padding.
• Non-climbing fitness equipment may only be used by people 16 and over. No playing allowed on fitness equipment.
• No climbing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or having any other condition that may impair your judgment.
• Everyone must be certified by qualified Salt Pump staff before belaying or using any Auto Belays.
• Instruction is only allowed by qualified Salt Pump staff.
• You must be on-belay or on-Auto Belay if you are climbing higher than head height unless you are climbing over our bouldering pads.
• You must use a rock climbing harness approved by the UlAA/CE that is in good condition (as defined by the harness manufacturer) while climbing and belaying. You must belay with a Salt Pump approved belay device.
• Belayers must be attentive and free of distractions while belaying. Belayers should not be sitting, lying down, or involved in conversation.
• Occupied lead routes need to have an open anchor on either side.
• Climbers cannot have anything in their pockets or drop items from the wall.
• Anyone belaying and any climber leading or using an Auto Belay may not wear headphones.
• Immediately report any problems with equipment, climbing walls, loose holds, or any other concerns to Salt Pump staff.

Yes. We offer Top-Rope and Auto-belay certifications. You may need to wait to receive a belay test if the gym is busy.

Nope, you get all of it with a day-pass or membership.

We offer group reservations and our indoor activities offerings are varied for all to enjoy! By allowing people to reserve ahead of time, it makes it easier for us to prepare for and check-in groups. As a show of appreciation for planning ahead, we offer discounted pricing for large groups (6-20 people). Groups must make a reservation at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Email [email protected] for more info!

We appreciate your support as Indoor Climbing returns to normal in New Hampshire. Salt Pump strives to keep the health and safety of the community as a leading priority. Our decisions are made in accordance to the guidelines set out by the NH DHHS.

New to Salt Pump Portsmouth? If you're planning on visiting our facility for the first time, please check out our Plan A Visit page for additional information.

Gym Use

• Consistent with the US CDC guidelines, masks are not required for vaccinated individuals. (updated 03/04/2022)
• We encourage hand washing or sanitization - there are a dozen conveniently located sanitization stations throughout the gym. Liquid Chalk >70% alcohol can substitute for hand sanitizer too.
• Physical distancing is encouraged.
• We are currently offering both adult and youth programming

COVID-19 Questionnaire

Please do not enter the gym if you can answer “YES” to any of these questions.

• Have you had a cough or sore throat?
• Have you had a fever or do you feel feverish?
• Do you have shortness of breath?
• Do you have loss of taste or smell?
• Have you been around anyone exhibiting these symptoms within the past 14 days?
• Are you living with anyone who is sick or quarantined?

International travelers coming to New Hampshire have separate requirements, please check the state of New Hampshire website for additional information. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

COVID-19 Tracing Protocol

1. Check-in with the reporting individual about their well being in this unique time and if we can assist them.
2. Confirm details with the reporting individual, including date of symptom onset, potential close contacts, testing info, and any other pertinent data.
3. Alert all individuals that were in the gym during the individuals last session(s) in the 48 hours before symptom onset. We call anyone who was noted a close contact to affirm their testing and quarantining. Our database has an integrated Contact-Tracing system designed for this.
4. Inform the Member community of the event and our process, for transparency.
5. Update the COVID-19 page on our website as a public record of any reported cases as well as our protocols.
6. Follow-up that all close-contacts know their advised return date based on New Hampshire DHHS guidelines.

General Warning

COVID-19 transmission risk is elevated during cardiovascular exercise and increased respiration; forceful respiration when coughing, sneezing, and yelling; close physical contact; and sustained physical contact.

Anyone who is unable to observe the guidelines in place for community health will respectfully be asked to leave the facility.

Our building's previous life was pretty sweet: a Dunkin' Donuts baking facility. The Donut Factory nickname stemmed from that and makes us all smile!