What to expect at your first visit
All are welcome at The Scratch Pad!
The Scratch Pad welcomes climbers of all skill levels and we have routes perfect for beginners as well as routes that will challenge seasoned climbers. Our community is very welcoming and supportive. Come get scratchy with us!
What to expect for your first visit: Day pass or basic membership
We are excited to have you join us and climb at Utah’s newest climbing gym and only drytooling gym! We offer both drytooling and regular rock climbing, there are a few things to know about each.
First off every visitor of the gym is required to sign a waiver. You can do that here: SCRATCH PAD WAIVER
Once you’ve signed the waiver and understand the rules, you will be given a safety briefing by Scratch Pad staff. There are some differences between rock climbing and drytooling, as well as gear that this safety briefing will cover.
If you are trying drytooling for the first time that is awesome! Don’t be intimidated, it really is a very fun form of climbing. Our staff will go over the use of tools, and the types of holds you can use with tools. Our staff are friendly and supportive, and will be there to help you enjoy your first experience.
In our gym we don’t allow crampons at this time, which means you can climb in climbing shoes or other appropriate footwear (flip flops are ok). However we do require anyone drytooling or using tools to wear a helmet and gloves. We have these available if you don’t have your own. We also recommend using eye protection and have safety glasses available as well.
If you are just rock climbing, you don’t need a helmet or gloves, but we don’t want you climbing on the drytool specific holds. These holds are the ones with the colored backer plates.
We will cover everything you need to know to have a great time, so don’t worry, just get excited to get scratchy!
What to expect for your first visit: Premium membership (24/7)
Thank you for considering a premium membership! We are excited to have you train at our facility and have the flexibility of 24/7 access. First off you are required to sign a waiver. You can do that here: SCRATCH PAD WAIVER
With our premium membership you will have access to the facility 24/7 except for times the gym is scheduled for programming. You can check the calendar here: SCRATCH PAD SCHEDULE
With our premium membership you will need to first attend an orientation class where you will learn all the safety and rules of the gym. After all we are trusting you with a key card to the gym. There will be some additional paperwork and things you’ll need to agree to. This orientation can be done during regular open times, or in some circumstances you can schedule a time to complete this.
Once you have completed this orientation and paperwork, you will receive your key card. There are some specific rules to adhere to with a premium membership such as no sleeping in the gym (we aren’t a hotel), no allowing non-members to sneak in with you (we have cameras), no throwing wild parties (again we have cameras). Also no climbing alone, you must have another member with you when you use the facility (we can help play matchmaker if you want). Basically enjoy the gym for climbing and training and have fun, be safe.
What is the deal with those colored things behind some of the holds?
At The Scratch Pad we allow the use of real ice tools with real steel picks. This is one of the things that makes our gym very unique and allows for a more realistic training experience. However sometimes you miss a hold or pop off a hold. There is also a big variety of drytooling holds. Various materials including steel, stone, aluminum, resin, and more all come in different shapes and colors. By using our custom made backer boards from Atomik (we like to call them Scratch Pads), it allows us to protect the wall surface from rogue tool scratches, and allows us to mark routes with various holds that don’t share the same color like traditional gym rock climbing routes.
So when you are drytooling, look for the backer board color not the hold color.
For rock climbing holds our routes are set with the same color hold without backer boards. So you will route find rock climbing routes the same way you would at other gyms.
Footwork is essential to both rock climbing and drytooling, however there are some differences.
In drytooling or ice climbing competitions, you would typically be able to kick into the plywood surface of the wall with a crampon. You can also kick in at The Ice Coop in Boulder CO. However we have chosen to not allow crampons at this time for various reasons.
When you are able to kick into the plywood you can really have a foothold wherever you want, so to simulate this as best as possible using rock shoes (or flip flops), we allow any hold to be a foothold for drytooling routes. This means you can step on any hold from any route. In addition to this we have added a bunch of small red footholds that can be used for drytooling routes.
For rock climbing routes we set specific footholds for the route that are the same color as the rest of the holds on the route.
What about footholds?
Code of Conduct:
No forms of harassment or aggression will be tolerated.
Treat others with respect and be courteous. Share the gym space with all climbers.
Act in a responsible and safe manner, help others do the same.
Basically we want everyone to have a fun, safe, and enjoyable experience at The Scratch Pad. Any form of climbing can be dangerous so please be cautious and help others if you notice something unsafe. The space will be used by both rock climbers and drytoolers, and theres no reason we can’t all get along.
We provide private instruction as well as scheduled classes for those that want to learn more or enhance their skills.
So what are you waiting for? Come in to The Scratch Pad and lets get climbing!
So what are the rules?
Here is a list of the rules of The Scratch Pad. We may add more rules in the future if needed. We reserve the right to remove or ban you from the gym if you break these rules, so don’t be naughty.
Helmets must be worn at all times in the gym area any time there are ice tools in use and drytooling activities taking place. Helmets may be left off if the only activity happening in the gym at the time is rock climbing.
Gloves must be worn when drytooling and using tools.
No shouldering tools.
No spotting climbers using tools.
Tools may not have an adze or spike on the bottom of the handle. Cheeks are allowed.
Eye protection is highly recommended.
Ice tools may only be used on holds that are mounted to backer boards.
You may not use bare hands on drytooling holds that are mounted to backer boards.
You may not use tools, or hands on the top of the wall or support beams in the ceiling. Do not touch or alter anchors or systems used for anchoring volumes and other features.
Crampons are not allowed in the gym. Please use appropriate footwear.
Everyone entering the facility must sign a waiver and agree to the rules and code of conduct.
Premium members using the gym outside of normal business hours must have at least one other member with them at all times. NO CLIMBING ALONE.
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
You must be over the age of 18 to access the gym 24/7 with a premium membership or be with a parent or guardian.
Basic members can access the gym during regular staffed business hours excluding times specifically set aside for comps, setting, classes, clinics, private group reservations etc… All care will be taken to keep regular hours free of other encumbrances.
Premium members can access the gym 24/7 excluding times specifically set aside for comps, setting, classes, clinics, private group reservations etc (programming)… Sleeping is not allowed at the gym, 24/7 access is for climbing/training purposes only. All care will be taken to post times that the gym will be closed for these purposes ahead of time.
It is the members responsibility to make sure the gym is available prior to arriving. No refunds or credits will be given due to members being denied access due to programming.
If climbing with ropes, belayers must be belay certified by The Scratch Pad.
Treat all others including gym ownership/staff, other guests and participants, other tenants and guests in the building with respect.
Scratch Pad membership is for the climbing gym and fitness area only, your membership does not entitle you to use other facilities of the building except for the bathrooms.
No drugs or alcohol is permitted on the premises. No climbing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Anyone found to be climbing under the influence will be asked to leave immediately and could result in revocation of membership.
The Scratch Pad is hereby authorized to take photos and video of me or the minor in connection with participation in The Scratch Pad Activities and has my permission to use my, or the minor’s, name and likeness, without compensation, for marketing and other promotional purposes.
There is 24/7 video surveillance in the gym, no tampering with video equipment.