All visitors are required to follow safe climbing practices.
Visitors must adhere to the Operating Rules of BigWall Climbing Gym.
Parents are responsible for their children throughout their entire stay at the gym.
Tying In and Equipment
- Before climbing, you must tie into the belay rope using a UIAA-approved knot: figure-eight follow-through with a backup knot.
- Tying in with two opposing carabiners is only permitted when top rope climbing.
- Climbing is only allowed in climbing shoes (climbing slippers).
- On all routes, it is forbidden to use a rope shorter than 50 meters. The free end of the rope must always be secured with a knot.
- When using an auto-belay device, you must check that the carabiner is properly clipped into the central loop of the harness and that the weight limit of the device is observed.
Climbing and Lead Protection
- The climber must always be safely belayed. Solo climbing is strictly prohibited.
(Except for bouldering, which is only permitted on the designated boulder wall with a soft landing zone.) - It is forbidden to skip protection points while climbing. A protection point must be clipped no later than when it is at the climber's waist level.
- Belaying is not recommended when there is a large weight difference between the belayer and climber. If a heavier climber falls, both persons risk injury.
- It is forbidden to deviate from the route line if it would interfere with other climbers. Only one climber may be on each route at a time.
- It is forbidden to belay two climbers simultaneously into the same protection or anchor carabiner.
- The second climber must climb on a rope running through the protection points and must unclip them. The ascent must end at a point where they are secured by at least two protection points or two anchor carabiners.
- Excessively long falls "for show" are not permitted.
Belaying Rules
- The belayer must give continuous attention to the climber throughout the entire ascent and lowering. They must work the rope properly to minimize the length of any potential fall.
- While belaying, it is forbidden to sit, lie down, use a phone, eat, drink, or do anything that distracts the belayer's attention.
- It is forbidden to take in rope from protection points, practice route setting, etc. Lowering must be smooth and safe for other visitors.
Movement Below the Wall
- Only climbers and belayers may be in the area directly below the wall - other persons must not stand there.
Maintenance and Technical Condition
- It is forbidden to modify routes in any way without prior approval from staff.
- Every visitor is required to report any technical defect (loose hold, damaged protection, etc.) to staff and to warn other climbers who may want to start the route.
Injuries and Responsibility
- Every visitor is required to behave in a way that does not endanger others.
In case of injury, they are obligated to provide first aid and call a doctor, or notify staff who will do so. - Staff have a first aid kit available and are required to record the injury in the accident log, including witness information.
- If a visitor sees someone violating safety rules, they are obligated to warn them. If that does not help, they must inform staff.
