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.
The best choice for beginner climbers
Join our 45-minute course designed for ages 14+ (younger climbers can join as βadd-onsβ). Learn essential Top Rope climbing skills, including belaying. Walk-ins welcomeβarrive 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 Climb Nittany
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.Β
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 βadd-onsβ). Learn essential Top Rope climbing skills, including belaying. Walk-ins welcomeβarrive 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!
Discover FUNdamentals
Discover climbing FUNdamentals β Foundation, Understanding and Nurturing β in this 90-min community class. At the end you will have more confidence in climbing movement.
Discover Rappel
In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of rappelling. This includes: how to set up a rappel, back up knots, risk management, and rappelling practice.Β
What Are Our Guests Saying
Don’t just take it from us, let our guests do the talking!
“The instructor was patient, pleasant, and thorough. My daughter loved it and now has a new hobby. Thank you for being so welcoming. <3”
“My gf and I tried a $25/each pass via group on. We were so pleasantly surprised by the facility and kindness of the staff. We had Jake for our class, he taught the class like heβd been doing it for decades. We learned so much and got to conquer some fear climbing. Then after class weβre allowed to stay for as long as we want climbing/bouldering/using gym stuff. Didnβt expect it to be this awesome of a day.”
“We celebrated my sonβs 12th birthday at Climb Nittany. It is a wonderful place to have a kidβs birthday party. The kiddos had so much FUN! It is a clean and entertaining place. Michael and Danny were great with the kids and so easy to work with. “
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a class or make a reservation to climb at your facility?
Walk-ins welcome.Β
Supervision guidelines do apply; see the question below-regarding kids climbing in the facility.Β
We do recommend booking a Discover Climbing for the ultimate experience. Book Now
If you're new to Climb Nittany, 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 complete your waiver before arriving. Waiver
TOP ROPE EXPECTATIONS
Everyone MUST have a Belay Card visible on their harness whenever they are belaying. When you arrive, ask a team member about doing a Top Rope check.
Top Rope Belay Check Requirements:
- Correctly tie in with a figure-8 follow-through knot.
- Demonstrate the use of a Gri Gri device. All of our Top Rope lanes are equipped with Gri Gri devices.Β
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 40 meters long - During the lead check, participants will be required to climb a 5.9, take a fall, and demonstrate proper lead climbing and belaying techniques
Itβs my first time, what do I need to do?
EVERYONE entering our facility is required to sign a waiver and complete a brief orientation.Β 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.Β
Can kids climb at Climb Nittany?
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 armβs 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 test with one of our team members. Our team is available most days and times to conduct a proficiency test, no appointment required. Β
Kids 14 and over may belay after completing this waiver and passing a proficiency test with our staff.Β
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.Β
Do you have Auto belays?
Nope! While itβs always awesome to get a free ride, we are passionate about communityβ¦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?
Weβre so glad you asked! Climbing is dangerous, so you must always be aware of your surroundings while in the facility. Keep space between climbers, donβt walk between an active belayer (person holding rope) and their partner, and donβt hold ropes if you have not passed a proficiency to use them. When bouldering, stay off the mats until youβre 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
Make Climb Nittany YOUR fitness destination this April!
If you`re looking for an all-inclusive space to explore the dynamics of how your body moves, this is the place for you.
With programming available for youth and adults and our monthly community days, it isn`t hard to find an excuse to try it out!
We have our Earth Day special in ONE WEEK, and our Meet the Setters event coming up the last week of the month; that means there`s NO better time than now.
Check the link in our bio to learn how to start your journey today!
Summer is almost here, and we are looking for new coaches to join the team! If you are looking to introduce new climbers to the sport or keep climbers stoked, this is the job for you. Click the link in our bio to apply.
*Availability Requirements*
Weekdays- 8:00AM-3:30PM
#summercamp #summerjobs
Hereβs a move that could change your climbing. π‘
The bicycle - a foot technique where you engage in a pushing-and-pulling motion with both feet on the same or adjacent holds. One pushes down while the other pushes up, keeping the body stable and locked in.
Give this maneuver a try on the new white boulder in the cave!
#climbnittany #statecollege #indoorclimbing #rockclimbing #5life
Keep an eye out!π
Coming up we`ll be having a Meet the Setters event!π©
Ever wanted to get more personal with the setting team?
This is your chance to learn more about the process, share feedback about your favorite climbs, or ask why your current project is so frustrating!
Be on the lookout for more details in the form of posts and flyers in-gym!
#Climbingby5life #climb814 #boulder814 #centrecountypa #communityevent
@candyshopclimbing hookinβ us up with some new shapesβ¦π€€
Hope you all enjoy gripping some new plastic!
#climbnittany #routesetting #climb814 #climbingby5life #boulder814
I gotta take a note from these young guns, they never quit!π₯
They`re gearing up for Climb Nittany Summer Camps! Starting June 8, there`s still time to sign-up. Join us for plenty of climbing, crafts, and the crowd favorite, Egg Drop!π³
Curious? Learn more or sign up by visiting our website or talking to us in-gym!π₯³
#youthclimbing
#centrecountypa
#summercamp2026
#climbingby5life
#climb814
π°Thatβs $200 ON US! π΅
For the month of April, weβre doing a No Foolβs special!
With a 12-month commitment, you can look forward to all of our member benefits (minus the initiation fee) in addition to a $200 voucher loaded onto your account!
This applies to new members only (lapsed 1+ month); sign up online or ask us for more details next time youβre in!
#climbnittany #climbingby5life #climb814 #bouldering #toprope
The sleepover they`ll never stop talking about. πβ¨
Lock-ins at Climb Nittany are the ultimate overnight adventure β a safe, supervised, totally unforgettable night for scout troops, sports teams, school groups, and friend squads. π·οΈπ§
β
10 PM β 8 AM Friday & Saturday nights
β
Expert instructors on-site all night
β
Harness rentals included
β
BYO snacks & drinks (pizza night? yes please π)
β
Kids 14+ can even learn to belay! πͺ’
π° $500 for up to 15 climbers | $25 each additional
Give them a night they`ll be bragging about at school on Monday π Book at the link in bio π
#climbnittany #kidslockin #slumberparty #scouttroop #youthgroups #kidsactivities #statecollege #climbingby5life #5life
Contact
814 308-0230
328 Discovery Drive
Boalsburg, PA 16827
Stay Connected
Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 12 -10PM
Wednesday & Friday Β 3-10PM
Saturday & Sunday 9AM β 6PM
