First Time at North Country Climbing
First time visiting the North Country Climbing Center (N3C)? Awesome! Here’s some information to help you out. In addition to the information on this page, check out our Climbing Overview page to learn some climbing basics.
Visitor and Liability Release Agreement
All visitors, whether they are climbing or not, must complete a Visitor Agreement. Any visitor under the age of 18 years must have their parent or legal guardian sign their form. You can fill it our online or in person when you arrive.
If you prefer, you can download a copy of it, print it off, sign it, and bring it in. If you do that, please write legibly! We actually do read and transcribe all the information from the form into our customer database. Also, note that the signature space is on the second page.
What to Expect for Your First Time at N3C
- GETTING HERE: To get to N3C, use the main Evergreen entrance and follow signs back past the party rooms, golf simulation room, dance, and gymnastics studio. Although the access hallway can be chilly, we keep the climbing gym at a nice, comfortable temperature.
- FIRST THINGS FIRST: As noted above, the first step is filling out and signing an N3C waiver. All visitors (even if you are not climbing) need a waiver on file.
- GREETING AND PURCHASE: When you arrive at N3C’s front desk, you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members, who will review options with you and process your purchase.
- RENTAL GEAR: If you need rental gear, we will help size you for your climbing shoes and/or climbing harness. It may take a few tries to find shoes that fit your feet well.
- ORIENTATION: Before you start climbing, an N3C staff member will give you an orientation to the gym. This usually takes about 5 minutes and includes an introduction to the different areas of the gym, the different types of climbing available here, and our policies. Our staff is really knowledgeable, so please use this time to pick our brains and ask any questions you have.
- YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS: After the orientation, your climbing adventure begins!
First Time Options for Beginners, Families, and First-Time Climbers
At N3C we strive to make climbing fun and affordable to all climbers, and since our clients have such varied backgrounds and abilities, we offer a range of different choices. This range of choices can seem daunting, but it’s actually pretty simple. There are two options for beginning climbers:
Open Climb Package (Recommended)
Description: This includes everything you need for a great time climbing: a day pass, full climbing gear rental, and skilled N3C staff provide belays until you and/or your kids can’t lift your arms.
This is the best option, and what we recommend, if you are just looking for a good time climbing!
Pricing: $45 for adults, $40 for students and military, $30 for kids 5 to 10, $20 for kids 4 and under.
Timing: We offer Open Climbs whenever we are open. If you are bringing a larger group, we strongly recommend reservations or calling ahead of time. You can expect the gym to be busier around the holidays.
Reservations: Reservations are not necessary, but can help speed up the check-in process. Click here for Open Climb Package reservations.
Best for: People who want to climb! Families love this option because they can all get as much climbing as they wish.
Bouldering / Auto-Belays Only
Description: Alternatively, consider getting a day pass to climb independently in our bouldering area and on our auto-belays. Bouldering is climbing on shorter walls (up to 14 feet high) with a thickly padded floor but no ropes. Although many new climbers find this to be counterintuitive, bouldering is often more physically demanding than roped climbing, so it’s not necessarily the best type of climbing for beginners.
Pricing: Day Pass is $21 for adults, $18 for students and military, $15 for kids 5 to 10, $5 for kids 4 and under. Rental gear (shoes, harness, and chalk) is additional. See Pricing page for details.
Timing: Come in anytime we are open, for as long or as short as you’d like!
Reservations: Reservations are not required, but can help speed up the check-in process. Click here for Day Pass reservations.
Best for: People who are short on time or don’t like the idea of ropes.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to call us at 603.838.5300, contact us online, or message us on Facebook.
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.
Duration: The lesson typically lasts 1 to 2 hours, depending on how quickly students grasp 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’s 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.
Durration: 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 for 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