Please see our COVID specific rules here

General Rules:

• You must complete and sign a liability waiver before participating in any Salt Pump (“Salt Pump”) activities. Minors 17 years or younger must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• You may not belay a climber here unless you have been belay approved by a Salt Pump staff.
• You may not teach others how to belay, regardless of your ability.
• Children under the age of 14 must be actively supervised by an instructor or parent while in the gym and must not climb higher than head height without being on belay.
• You must use the belay system when you climb higher than your height above the floor unless you are in the bouldering area.
• You must use a rock climbing harness approved by the UIAA/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. These include tube and stitch style (e.g., ATC and Pyramid) as well as assisted braking devices (e.g., Grigri).
• Belayers are to be attentive and free of distractions while belaying. Belayers should not be sitting, lying down, or involved in conversation. Please restrict your cell phone use to the lobby and by the cubbies.  Do not use flash photography.
• No climbing or traversing above or below other climbers or route setters.
• You must be aware of the possible trajectory of another climber’s fall, particularly on the lead wall and overhangs. Stand Clear! If you are climbing and think you may endanger someone if you fall, speak up. Spectators should be aware of fall zones of climbers and stay outside of it.
• Occupied lead routes need to have an open anchor on either side.
• No bare feet or lug-soled boots/shoes allowed on climbing walls.
• No alcohol or drugs allowed. You may not climb here if you have received medical treatment or are using prescription drugs that could impair your alertness or coordination.
• Climbers cannot have anything in their pockets or drop items from the wall.
• Any unsafe condition must be reported immediately to Salt Pump staff. This includes damage to equipment, climbing walls, loose holds, accidents, and injuries.
• No food or drink in the climbing areas.
• No cameras or smart phones in the locker or restrooms.
• No running allowed.
• No swinging on ropes like Tarzan.

Special Note about Headphones:

• Lead climbers and all belayers cannot wear headphones.
• While climbers on top rope, auto-belays, and in the bouldering area can use headphones, they should be aware of their surroundings and keep the volume low so that other people can get their attention if needed.

Salt Pump Lead Climbing Rules:

• Lead climbers and belayers must be approved to lead climb and belay by Salt Pump staff through a competency-based Lead Climbing and Belaying assessment
• Leaders must use correct climbing and clipping techniques. These include but are not limited to:
  • a) no rope behind your leg or backstepping;
  • b) no back clipping;
  • c) no Z clipping
• The leader must clip all quick draws (the First clip is optional) and anchors on lead walls.
  • If not clipping the first quickdraw, we strongly suggest using a stick clip.
  • Climbs above the arch have a MANDATORY stick clip
  • Please see staff with questions about and instructions for using the stick clip.
• Belayers must be attentive at all times while "on belay".
  • Belayers should not be sitting, lying down, or involved in conversation.
  • Belayers should be aware of their position in relation to their climber to reduce risk of injury
  • Belayers should communicate with their leader about spotting before the first quickdraw - Understand that spotting can potentially lead to injury of the belayer.
• Belayers should not have excessive distance between his/herself and the wall.
  • Belayers must stay within arm's reach of the wall for first FOUR clips and within eight feet of the wall thereafter.
• Leaders MUST not lead next to an occupied route. Leaders must also pay attention to climbs that share anchors so as not to become stuck on route - no sharing anchors or using anchors for another climb.
• In order to top-rope a lead route, both anchor carabiners or both shut anchors and all quickdraws must be clipped.
• Leaders must not take intentional lead falls. No intentional, unnecessary whippers or "Victory whips".
• Leaders may not hang their own quickdraws.
• Lead climber must remain directly “on belay” at all times off the ground. (No rappelling.)
• Down leading is not allowed.
• Salt Pump ropes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Personal ropes are allowed and encouraged as Salt Pump has a limited number of ropes available.
  • Groups must use a UIAA/CE approved rope.
  • Please note that Salt Pump ropes may be used for programming and thus may not be available.
• If you have questions or do not understand any of these rules, please see a Salt Pump staff member.