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Your safety and/or your child's safety, is of the upmost important for us at ÜG. Although we do everything we can, we can't do it alone - we need your help. This document serves to provide additional information to climbers wishing to lead belay and lead climb at Übergrippen. 

Übergrippen Lead Climbing Certification Policy and Agreement

Lead climbing and lead belaying is a form of climbing that has INCREASED RISKS associated with it. These risks are inherent to lead climbing and are due to the nature of lead climbing and belaying where the climber will climb above their last point of protection. Because of this, climbers experience more high energy falls, a higher risk of ground fall, increased probability of hard falls that could result in hard impacts with the wall, potential to fall onto a climbing wall feature including holds, volumes, and other features of the wall, and increased likelihood of falling onto their belayer or other bystanders. Belayers have potential to be pulled up and into the wall. Belayers will often be pulled into the first draw which can result in injury. All of these risks have potential to cause serious injury or death of the climber and the belayer. Climbers and belayers should only participate in lead climbing and lead belaying if they have the proper background, training, skills, and knowledge. 

Übergrippen recommends all climbers and belayers seek qualified instruction when learning new skills, and to practice those skills under the supervision of an instructor to a point when they are competent and comfortable with them. Climbers and belayers need to know, understand, and recognize dangerous practices that are in addition to top rope climbing including but not limited to:

  • Improper clipping practices (e.g. back clips, z-clips, missed clips),
  • High clipping (pulling out excessive rope to make a clip above the climber's head),
  • Letting out excessive rope (slack) to the climber,
  • Improper foot work and rope handling that could entangle the climber during a fall,
  • Improper belay technique including improper letting out and taking in slack, letting out excessive rope slack, improper use of belay devices, and position of the belayer with respect to the climber,
  • Large weight differences between climber and belayer, and
  • Bystanders in potential fall zone.

You agree that you and your children participating in lead climbing understand and accept the additional dangers of lead climbing and lead belaying and freely choose to take part and/or allow my child to take part in lead climbing and lead belaying.

I Agree
 

Climbers and belayers must know and use proper lead climbing skills including:

  • Proper clipping,
  • Proper rope management while climbing,
  • Techniques for managing a weight difference between a climber and belayer and employ equipment or climbing and belaying practices to mitigate these effects,
  • Proper belay technique including letting out and taking in slack,
  • Proper belayer position with respect to the wall and the climber,
  • Belayer providing a soft catch to their climber,
  • Flake a rope before every climb to ensure there are no knots or entanglements in the rope that will hinder proper belaying as well as to perform an inspection of the rope from end to end looking for excessive wear including damaged sheath, core shots, soft or spongy core section. Excessively worn or damaged ropes should be retired or returned to Übergrippen staff for a detailed inspection,
  • Proper application of all equipment that is within the scope of manufacture instructions (e.g. harness, locking carabiners, belay devices, etc)

You agree that you and/or your child know and can properly use all skills required for lead climbing and lead belaying OR you are working on these skills while under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

I Agree
 

Padded flooring under the roped climbing area provides comfort and limited protection against falls very near to the ground. Padded flooring under roped climbing areas DOES NOT provide protection against ground falls.

Assistive Belay Devices (ABDs), though REQUIRED for all types of climbing at Übergrippen including lead climbing, cannot guarantee a climber's safety. ABD's do provide an additional layer of protection, but are not immune to improper use. Proper use of any chosen belay device, proper belay technique, maintaining control of the brake strand of the rope at all times, proper tie in to the lead rope, and thorough buddy checks are necessary regardless of the chosen belay device to reduce the risk associated with all types of climbing. Belayer must have knowledge on how to properly lead belay with their chosen belay device (including proper technique for letting out and taking in slack without removing their hand from the brake strand of the rope). Though important and required, these precautions cannot eliminate all risks associated with climbing and belaying.

You agree that you and/or your child will familiarize yourself with how to properly use your chosen belay device and will use it per the manufacturer's instructions. If you and/or your child are unfamiliar with a belay device, you agree you will ask an Übergrippen staff member for assistance and training before you use the device.

I Agree
 

Climbers should only climb on lead if they are comfortable with falling and confident in their belayer's ability to provide them with an appropriate lead belay. Übergrippen's is not responsible for who participants choose as their climbing / belay partners. Belay and lead tests attempt to qualify a climber and belayer's skills, however it does not in any way guarantee everyone's skills and ability. ALWAYS KNOW YOUR PARTNER AND BE COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR SKILLS!  

Lead climbing at Übergrippen is a privilege, not a right. Lead climbing certification may be revoked at any time for any reason. Recertification for lead climbing and lead belaying is subject to the decision of Übergrippen management.

By taking part in lead climbing and/or lead belaying, I understand and assume all risks associated with those activities and choose to participate freely. I understand lead climbing and lead belaying introduces additional risks beyond those experienced in top rope climbing. I agree that this document does not supersede or invalidate any other releases I have with Übergrippen. 

I Agree

First Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
First Participant's Date of Birth*
First Participant's Signature*
Second Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Second Participant's Date of Birth*
Third Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Third Participant's Date of Birth*
Fourth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Fourth Participant's Date of Birth*
Fifth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Fifth Participant's Date of Birth*
Sixth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Sixth Participant's Date of Birth*
Seventh Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Seventh Participant's Date of Birth*
Eighth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Eighth Participant's Date of Birth*
Ninth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Ninth Participant's Date of Birth*
Tenth Participant's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*
Tenth Participant's Date of Birth*
Parent or Legal Guardian's Email Address

Email*

Confirm Email*
Parent(s) or court-appointed legal guardian(s) must sign for any minor (those under 18 years of age) wishing to receive their "Übergrippen Lead Climb/Lead Belay Certification". By signing this document you, the parent or legal guardian, attest that you have an understanding of the increased and VERY REAL RISKS that are inherent to lead climbing and lead belaying, you have personally witnessed lead climbing including large falls on lead, you understand that falls are inevitable when lead climbing, that gravity is real, and the ground is hard. Before signing you agree that you were given the opportunity to speak with ÜG staff regarding these risks and have been encouraged to participate in and/or observe lead climbing first hand in order to better understand the risks. You have freely agreed to allow your listed minor child to participate in this activity.


By signing below the parent or court-appointed legal guardian agrees that they are also subject to all the terms of this document, as set forth above.
Parent or Legal Guardian's Name

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Relationship*
Parent or Legal Guardian's Date of Birth*
Parent or Legal Guardian's Signature*
Electronic Signature Consent*
 By checking here, you are consenting to the use of your electronic signature in lieu of an original signature on paper. You have the right to request that you sign a paper copy instead. By checking here, you are waiving that right. After consent, you may, upon written request to us, obtain a paper copy of an electronic record. No fee will be charged for such copy and no special hardware or software is required to view it. Your agreement to use an electronic signature with us for any documents will continue until such time as you notify us in writing that you no longer wish to use an electronic signature. There is no penalty for withdrawing your consent. You should always make sure that we have a current email address in order to contact you regarding any changes, if necessary.


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