Belay Lessons
Check out our Belay Lessons! These are best suited for climbers looking to become more independent, but they’re not ideal for new or first-time climbers. If you’re new to climbing or just want a fun day at the gym, the best way to start is to simply come in and climb! Our Open Climb Package provides everything a beginner needs for a great day at N3C.
The Learn to Belay Lesson focuses, as the name suggests, on learning how to belay. While this is an essential skill for those who want to become independent climbers, it’s unnecessary for casual guests and takes about an hour before you can start climbing. In contrast, the Open Climb Package will have you climbing within approximately 10 minutes of your arrival! Click here to sign up for the Open Climb Package.
*We do not recommend any climbing or belay lessons for first-time or newer climbers.*
Learn to Belay Lessons
What: Learn the basics of top-rope climbing, including:
- Tying into a climbing rope using a retraced figure eight knot
- How a belay device functions
- Proper setup of the belay system
- How to belay and lower a climber
- Effective communications between climber and belayer using standard commands and responses
- Partner safety checks
- Plenty of practice with all of your new skills!
When: Schedule a time that works for you. Sign up online or call 603.838.5300 or contact us to schedule a lesson.
How Long: The lesson usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on how quickly students pick up the concepts.
Who: This lesson is perfect for:
- People who want to become independent indoor climbers
- People who have not climbed in a very long time
- Parents who want to learn to belay their children
*A Belay Lesson may not be ideal for first time climbers; we recommend checking out our Open Climb package instead!
Introduction to Lead Climbing & Belay Lessons
What: Learn how to lead climb and lead belay at N3C, including:
- Proper lead belay technique:
- Spotting the leader to the first clip
- Taking in and paying out rope for the leader as needed without introducing excessive slack in the rope or interfering with climber progress
- Positioning relative to the climber and the pull of the rope
- Catching lead falls
- Proper lead climbing technique:
- Smoothly and efficiently clipping the rope through quick draws
- Choosing the best holds from which to clip quick draws
- Clipping the best quick draws for a particular route
- Recognizing and avoiding z-clipping and back clipping
- Positioning feet safely relative to the rope
- Taking lead falls
- Plenty of practice with all of your new skills!
When: Call 603.838.5300 or contact us to schedule a lead climbing lesson.
How Long: Two sessions, a week apart. Lessons usually take 2 to 3 hours depending on how quickly students pick up the concepts.
Who: This lesson is experienced climbers who have mastered top rope belaying and are looking for a new challenge.
Lessons Cancellation Policy
To ensure the best possible experience, we typically schedule additional staffing for belay lessons and lead lessons. Out of respect for our staff, please try not to cancel scheduled lessons.
- Lessons may be canceled for a full refund with at least 48 hours notice
- If a lesson is canceled less than 48 hours in advance, 50% of the cost may be applied toward a future lesson of the same type
- Lessons that are not canceled at least 24 hours in advance will not be refunded if they are missed
Extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis