Frequently Asked

About the Wall

How big is the wall?

The wall is 24 feet high (7.3 metres) and 8 feet (2.44 metres) wide. When we travel with the wall the combined length of the wall and our truck is 12.3 metres.

Can anyone climb the wall?

There are no age limits for people climbing the wall, however, the harnesses must be ‘snug’ on the climber. Basically, anyone from approx 13kg (2 stone) up to 100kg (18 stone) can climb the wall. Our youngest climber was 3 years old and our oldest 77!

How many people can climb at once?

4 people can climb the wall at one time, 2 on the front ‘face’ and 2 on the side faces.

How easy is it to climb the wall?

We have arranged the ‘holds’ so that there are ‘routes’ which are climbable for the small children and also routes that are challenging enough even for the most ‘enthusiastic’ of climbers. Our ‘Green’ route has only ever been conquered by 3 people!

Summit provides

What equipment does Summit provide?

We provide all the equipment you need to climb our wall i.e. safety harnesses and helmets.

Who ‘instructs’ the climbers?

We (brothers Mark and Paul) look after the climbers and give tuition where needed. We lived and worked in France before we started Summit Climbing Walls and that’s where we learned to climb. We travelled all over France and Spain and have climbed in the Alps and the Pyrenees as well as in Scotland. We really enjoy climbing and hopefully our enthusiasm rubs off on the kids and adults who climb our wall.

Is each climbing session the same?

Session content varies according to a whole host of variables (size of group, age of group, reason for booking, duration of booking, etc) and can be tailor- made to suit your requirements. Sessions can be run to focus on team development or just as an introduction to climbing. So, give us a call and we can come up with a plan that meets all your aims and expectations.

What you need

What should I wear?

Casual clothing is fine i.e. trousers, t-shirt and trainers (although some people choose to climb barefoot). Jewellery should be removed and long hair should be tied back so it doesn’t get caught in the holds or the cable.

What area is needed for setting up?

We need an area of about 5m wide by 7m deep to set up the wall on ground which is as flat as possible (ground can be grass, concrete, gravel etc). The wall can be set up indoors or outdoors but obviously the space above the wall needs to be free of electricity cables, roof beams etc.
Another very important consideration is the access to the sight. Our vehicle and wall have a combined length of 12.3 metres and as you can imagine its not the easiest of things to manoeuvre through narrow gates and tight bends! Check out our gallery to give you an idea of the sizes involved.

Does the Wall need a power supply?

No, the Wall has its own battery which powers the hydraulics that erect the wall and the Auto-belay system is all hydraulic.

Safety

How safe is the Wall?

The wall is very safe. Maintenance checks are done weekly and before each hire.
The wall uses an Auto-belay system, which uses steel cables instead of ropes and means there is no room for human error whilst belaying.

Does weather affect the wall?

We’ve found that rain doesn’t seem to deter kids from climbing the wall, the holds generally retain their grip in all but torrential rain. Cold and snow tend to make things a bit trickier as the climbers hands get cold quickly and gripping the holds becomes more difficult.
The wind is the other factor we have to consider, if the wind gets up to 30 mph or above then we have to put the wall down for safety reasons. So far we’ve never had to do this and hopefully never will!

Price/ Requirements

How much does it cost to hire?

Our quotes are based on a number of factors, the main ones being: type of event, number of climbers, location and duration. The quotes we give include; 2 members of staff, all the equipment needed, £5 million public liability insurance cover and all travel expenses.

How do I book?

Contact us using either the online enquiry form, our e-mail addresses or phone numbers to discuss your booking requirements. We’ll then fill out a booking form and put your booking on our calendar.

Can we customise or advertise on the wall?

Yes. The wall is fitted with brackets so that banners can be fitted either at the top or down the sides. The wall stands out at any event and so could your advertising! The wall (and staff!) can also be ‘themed’: we’ve done a Wild West theme with us dressed as cowboys and an eagles nest constructed at the top of the wall. Or how about fairy lights and tinsel for a Christmas theme!?

How far will Summit go for an event?

We can go anywhere in the country, mileage and accommodation costs will be included in the quote we give. If the venue is very far away (Land’s End for instance!) then we can give you details of mobile climbing wall operators that are closer to you.

Why choose Summit?

Summit offer a friendly, professional service which gives people off all ages the chance to try climbing in a safe and fun way without having to travel miles to a climbing venue. We arrive on your doorstep, set up the wall and are ready to start in 15 minutes. We tailor our sessions to suit your needs whether it’s people climbing for fun at a corporate BBQ or Schoolkids wanting to try a new sport. Please check out our Testimonials page to see what our customers think of us and our service.