GadRock's climbing surface includes roped walls
as high as 40 feet and a dedicated bouldering area.
Climbers can both lead climb (the first climber on
a route) or belay (the second climber on a route who
runs rope through a device attached to his or her
harness and feeds line out as the lead climber rises).
ere are also self- or automatic belays.
"ese are just easy-peasy. You get into your
harness, and it automatically pulls you down when
you let go. It makes it so almost anyone can climb,"
Machen said.
Along the wall, different routes are marked by
colors and graded. Courses get harder as you move
from le to right.
"We have setters who will climb and set a route as
they ascend. en, they'll have several other people
climb it, and everyone gives feedback on what we
think the grade of that route is," Machen said. "It's a
collaborative effort."
GadRock offers classes on lead climbing, belaying
and boulders. Machen said almost anyone could
climb, including young children.
"It just depends on the child. We had a 3-year-old
that climbed for hours the other day," Machen said.
"She was ready though. She was a little beast."
21
www.apcshorelines.com
