FIRST TIME CLIMBING
Helping Everyone Climb
First time climbing? Don’t worry or be intimidated! The basics of climbing are quick and easy to learn.
Discover Climbing
The best choice for beginner climbers
Join our 45-minute course designed for ages 14+ (younger climbers can join as “add-ons”). Learn essential Top Rope climbing skills, including belaying. Walk-ins welcome—arrive 15 minutes early to check in and gear up. Bonus: Enjoy 2 weeks of FREE facility access after your class. Take your first step into climbing today!
EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS
You Love Climbing – Come Climb at Vertical Adventures
Useful Tips for Climbing at 5.Life Locations
Sign The Waiver
First-Time Visitors: Save time and sign your waiver online prior to your visit.
Bring Your Water Bottle
The climbing gym is equipped with a filtered water dispensers, so bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
Take A Class
We are here to help you through your 5.Life journey. Learn the beginner basics and develop and diversify your skills.
Join a Community Event
Climbing is not just about the workout. It’s about the community and helping everyone feel welcomed and invited to participate.
Our Most Popular Classes
Discover Climbing
Join our 45-minute course designed for ages 14+ (younger climbers can join as “add-ons”). Learn essential Top Rope climbing skills, including belaying. Walk-ins welcome—arrive 15 minutes early to check in and gear up. Bonus: Enjoy 2 weeks of FREE facility access after your class. Take your first step into climbing today!
Explorer Kit
The best deal. THREE intro climbing classes; giving you all the tools you need to kick off your climbing journey. Plus a FREE month of climbing.
Develop Lead
In this 2 session course, you will learn the proper lead belay techniques and best practices for clipping, rope management, and falling.
What are our Guests Saying
Don’t just take it from us, let our guets do the talkig!
“The instructors here are nothing short of amazing. So helpful, so kind, and so fun. I’ve had nothing but great experiences getting comfortable with climbing and learning new things at vertical. Shoutout to River who is my favorite instructor and helped us progress in climbing so much”
“I hadn’t been in over 10 years. The new gym is terrific! Tons of routes for any skill level. My 4-year-old loved it. Shout-out to Zach for his help and encouragement!”
“LOVE Vertical Adventures. Madie was amazing with my daughter – patient and supportive and fun. Highly recommend!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a class or make a reservation to climb at your facility?
Walk-ins welcome.
Supervision guidelines do apply, see question below regarding kids climbing in facility.
We do recommend booking a High Five for the ultimate experience. Book Now
If you're new to Vertical Adventures, but not to climbing, here are some steps to get you on the wall once you arrive.
ORIENTATION
Everyone must complete an orientation before being able to climb. To save time when you arrive we recommend you complet your waiver prior to arriving. Waiver
TOP ROPE EXPECTATIONS
Everyone MUST have a Belay Card visible on their harness whenever they are belaying. Ask a team member about doing a Top Rope check when you arrive.
Top Rope Belay Check Requirements:
- Correctly tie in with a figure-8 follow-through knot.
- Correctly load and use a Petzl GriGri.
LEAD CLIMBING EXPECTATIONS
Everyone MUST have a Belay Card visible on their harness whenever they are lead climbing or lead belaying. Ask a staff member about doing a Lead Climb/Belay check when you arrive or call in advance.
Lead Climbing and Belay Requirements:
- Bring your own rope and belay device
– The rope must be at least 30 meters long - Assisted Braking Devices (ABD’s) are required to lead belay
- During the lead check, participants will be required to climb a 5.9, take a fall, and demonstrate proper lead climbing and belaying techniques
It’s my first time, what do I need to do?
EVERYONE entering our facility is required to sign a waiver and complete a brief orientation. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a waiver for them and watch the orientation video. Supervision guidelines apply to all youth climbers.
Can kids climb at Vertical Adventures?
Under 18 years old
A parent or legal guardian must sign a waiver and watch the orientation video.
Under 14 years old
Not permitted to belay (hold the rope)
Must follow these supervision guidelines:
4 years and under can climb within arm’s length of their supervising adult. Each adult can only supervise two children this young at a time.
5-7 years old can climb under direct supervision (can see and hear them at all times) of an adult. Each adult can only supervise two children this young at a time.
8-14 years old can climb under direct supervision (can see and hear them at all times) of an adult. Each adult can only supervise three children this young at a time.
Alternately, we offer youth classes check, them out here.
Can anyone belay or lead climb?
To belay or lead climb at our facility, you must first pass a proficiency assessment with one of our team members. Our team is available most days and times to conduct a proficiency test, no appointment required.
For lead climbing and belaying, you must provide your own rope, and use an Assisted Braking Device (ABD).
Kids 14 and over may belay after completing this waiver and passing a proficiency assessment with our staff.
What kind of climbing do you offer?
We have bouldering which is climbing on shorter walls with no rope and lots of padding; top rope walls where a rope has been fixed at the top of the wall and a climber requires the support of a belayer; and we have lead climbing which is where experienced climbers clip the rope into the wall as they climb up.
Do you have Auto belays?
Nope! While it’s always awesome to get a free ride, we are passionate about community…so we want you to meet new belay partners irl. We have partner finder nights. We have a belay partner board. We will make belay partner calls over the PA system. We WILL help you find a climbing partner.
What is good gym etiquette?
We’re so glad you asked! Climbing is dangerous, so you must always be aware of your surroundings while in the facility. Keep space between climbers, don’t walk between an active belayer (person holding rope) and their partner, and don’t hold ropes if you have not passed a proficiency to use them. When bouldering, stay off the mats until you’re ready to climb, down climb a few holds when possible to avoid jumping from height, and if you fall hug your arms to your chest, land on your feet, and roll onto your back to disperse the force. See our orientation video for more information!
We are on Instagram
The party just moved outside. 🏳️🌈 Backyard games start at 4PM — come for the climbing, stay for everything else.
Pride Party at VA. All day. $9 at the door, equipment included.
#vaohio #climbingby5life #ohioclimbs #pridemonth #5life
As we approach the outdoor climbing season it’s important to remember proper rope maintenance. A study found that the effects of dirt on a climbing rope can lead to fraying faster. Although cleaning can cause some wear the effects of dirt are far more significant. We are going to link a video in our bio that goes into the nitty gritty of this topic.
Every climber deserves a place to belong. Join us for the Pride Party at VA — an all-day celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community. Water games, tie-dye, Photo Booth, and good people. Backyard games start at 4PM
$9 community day pass with equipment included. Come as you are. 🏳️🌈
June 28 · 9AM to close
📍 Vertical Adventures
We`re hiring across Bloc Garten, Chambers, and Vertical Adventures — and yes, the perks are real.
Free membership · 25% off pro-shop · After hours climbing · Competitive wages
Open roles: Welcome Desk, Youth Coach, Summer Camp Counselor, Instructor, Facility Guide, Routesetter.
Link in bio
#climbingby5life #ohioclimbs #climb614 #5life
Happy Father`s Day! Bring your dad to climb at Vertical Adventures and get free NA brewskis, snacks, and $9 day passes with gear for dads all day.
#fathersday #verticaladventures
The party upgrade nobody knew they needed. 🎉🧗
VA isn`t just a gym, it`s where birthdays become legendary and team outings bring people together. Dedicated instructors, real climbing, real fun. All ages, all skill levels, zero boring.
✅ 1.5 hrs of instructor-supervised climbing
✅ Dedicated belayers + climbing games
✅ Harnesses included | Shoes available for rent
✅ BYO food & drinks — bring the cake! 🎂
✅ Rope swing add-on available 🎢
📅 Saturdays 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM | Sundays 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
💰 Starting at $350 for up to 10 climbers
Book your date at the link in bio 🔗 Reservations required 21 days in advance!
#vaohio #birthdayparty #climbingparty #columbus #climb614 #ohioclimbs #climbingby5life #5life
Have you heard? 👀
Personal Training is available now🏋🏽
No pressure. No confusion. Just 3 simple steps.
👉 Link in bio to book.
📩 Questions? Email Liz@5.life
#climbingby5life #PersonalTraining #climb614 #strengthcoach
Closed for repairs. Your send season isn`t.
The Scioto Audubon Wall is down — but Vertical Adventures is Open.
Weekday matinee passes are $13 until 4pm. No membership needed.
Come climb.
#vaohio #ohioclimbs #climb614 #CantStopClimbing #climbingby5life
Father`s Day is around the corner — and the wall is calling.
$9 gets Dad in the door with everything he needs. Climb. Sweat. Celebrate with a cold one. That`s the formula.
Vertical Adventures, June 21. See you there.
👉 Share this with the person planning your Father`s Day.
#vaohio #va513 #climbingwithbenefits #fathersday #gymclimbing
We have our Backyard Water Party coming up on June 28th from 3-5pm at Vertical Adventures!
Join us for games, food and drinks, raffle and more!
#pride🌈 #climbing
Summer climbing with your kids starts here.
At Vertical Adventures, we`ve spent 30 years helping kids fall in love with the climb — and helping parents find a program they can trust. This summer, we`re ready for yours.
Youth programs. Family memberships. A community that cheers every kid on.
👉 School`s out. Come find your next route.
Some dads teach you to throw a ball. Others teach you to read a route.
Either way, Father`s Day at Vertical Adventrures is only $9 — shoes and gear included. Climb together, then toast to the man who raised you.
Because that`s a story worth telling.
👉 See you on the wall.
Contact
614 888-8393
6513 Kingsmill Court
Columbus, OH 43229
Stay Connected
Hours
Mon, Wed & Fri 11 AM- 10 PM
Tue & Thur 7 AM - 10PM
Saturday 9 AM - 8 PM
Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM
