Adaptive Rock Climbing

Adaptive climbing is in its fourth year in 2025, thanks to an amazing partnership between the Alaska Rock Gym and Challenge Alaska. Through the generosity of The North Face, the Alaska Rock Gym was able to host an Adaptive Climbing Initiative in 2021. Paradox Sports sent one of their trainers to train local climbing instructors in the adaptive equipment and techniques unique to climbing for people with a loss of limb(s) or loss of motor control (such as people with spinal cord injury). As part of the Initiative, we were able to work with several local athletes with physical disabilities to successfully climb multiple routes at the gym as well as climbing with an Ascender - Easy Seat combination.   

In 2022, the Alaska Rock Gym took the initiative and purchased a variety of adaptive equipment that will enable climbers with a wide range of abilities to successfully climb a variety of routes in the gym.  

This adaptive climbing group focuses on people with physical disabilities due to the fact that people with physical disabilities often require specialized equipment to safely ascend the climbing walls. People with disabilities other than physical may require specialized techniques, but don't typically rely on adaptive physical equipment. 

Adaptive climbers are welcome to come to the gym any day of the month to noodle around on the boulder walls or climb on the big walls. If you don't have your own certified belay partner, please call ahead to the gym and talk to them about options for belayers when you plan to climb. If you do have your own belayer, they typically appreciate a "heads up" whenever the adaptive climbing gear will be needed. 

If you would like to join us for one of the upcoming Adaptive Climbing nights at the gym, the dates are: 

2025 Dates 

• Friday January 10, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM 
• Friday February 14, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday March 14, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday April 11, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM 
• Friday May 9, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday June 13, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday July 11, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM 
• Friday August 8, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday September 12, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday October 10, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM 
• Friday November 14, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM
• Friday December 12, 2025  6:30 - 9:00 PM

On these nights the Alaska Rock Gym will have extra staff on the schedule to help facilitate adaptive climbing. Climbers do not need to sign up in advance. All necessary gear to facilitate climbing will be provided. The price to climb is equivalent to our day pass rate, which is:

• Kids 13 years old and under - $18
• Student / Military - $21
• Adults - $24