The Toolbox is open to all GCC customers over the age of 14, Everyone that wishes to climb in the Toolbox must be signed off to use the facility.
Getting signed off requires you to complete a short assesment to confirm your competence, viewing of our safety video and completing the registration paperwork.
If you dont have the required experienced yet, you can book onto one of our Introduction to Tooling Classes where one of our experienced instructors will take you from zero to hero during the 90 minute class. After this class you will be signed-off to use the Toolbox.
You can find out more about getting signed off and our introductory classes via the inks below.
We’re an indoor facility so you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that we don’t have any ice! Instead, our walls are made of a soft plywood, which you can kick into using competition fruit-boots. All routes are also climbable with rock climbing shoes or Mountaineering boots using the provided footholds.
Fruit-boots are available to hire. (Free equipment for Scottish Dry-Tooling Club Members – another reason to join the club!)
In recent years, competition ice climbing has evolved significantly. Traditional hanging ice has been replaced by wooden cubes and other suspended obstacles, and large plastic holds have given way to intricate metal ones. The climbing style has shifted, becoming more gymnastic, more dynamic, and a lot more exciting.
We have the largest collection of purpose built Dry-Tooling holds in Europe. With holds from manufactueres all over the world, The Toolbox is the place to be to train for the compeition style.
It’s not all hard and scary though, many of our routes and holds are set and designed specifically for total beginners. So whether you’re training for the world cup, or just learning to hold an ice axe, there’ll be something here for you to climb on.
How do I register/use The Toolbox
To register you must complete a short assesment to confirm your compitence, view our safety video and complete the registration paperwork.
If you do not have the required experience yet, you can book onto one of our Introduction to Tooling Classes
where one of our experienced instructors will take you from zero to hero during the 90 minute class. After this class you will be signed-off to use the Toolbox.
Do I need to be a competitive climber to train in The Toolbox?
Not at all! Our regulars come from a wide range of backgrounds, and all skill levels are welcome! If you’re new, consider signing up to one if the technique clinics.
There are almost always some regulars in training, let us know you’re new and we’ll introduce you so that they can get started on the right foot!
Can I hire equipment?
Yes! We have top end competiion axes and fruit-boots available to hire when you arrive.
Scottish Dry-Tooling Club members can hire equipment free of charge.
Prices here…
Do I need to book
No. The Toolbox is open during all GCC’s Regular opening hours.
Intro classes and coaching sessions need to be booked in advanced.
What shoes can I use?
If not hiring Fruit-Boots then your regular climbing shoes can be used on the provided footholds. Mountaineering boots/approach shoes can be used if they are clean and WITHOUT crampons.
Are lessons available?
Yes. We run introduction to Dry-Tooling classes twice a week and Coaching Clinics every two weeks.
More information on our classes here…
How much does it cost?
Entry to The Toolbox is charged at GCC’s regular roped climbing price with
peak/off peak times.
Adult £11/13
Student/Concession £10/11
If you are a monthly/annual pass holder, The Toolbox dentry is included within this at no extra charge.
What is the required experience to use The Toolbox unsupervised?
To register, you must have previous experience with Dry-Tooling (indoors or out)
or technical winter climbing (grade 3+ )
If you have this, you can watch the safety video, do the competence assesment and be signed off to use the facility.
Find out more about registering here.
Is there any age restrictions?
Yes.
14+ with experience can be signed off to use the facility.
14+ without experience must do an introduction course.
12-14 Y/O can only use The Toolbox when on a GCC instructed class.
Guests must be 18+
Can I use my own equipment?
Yes. Provided they meet our safety requirements. You can find out more about this by watching the
Can I kick the wall?
Yes! Only with Fruit-Boots.
We don’t allow traditional mountaineering crampons. since landing with crampons on squishy mats is risky for ankles.
Is there actual ice in The Toolbox?
No, but there are lots of fun artificial holds made of resin, rock, metal, and more!
We also install soft ply-wood on our walls so that you can kick your frontpoints into the wall, just like you can on real ice!
Can I sign in guests?
Yes. if you are 18+ and signed off to use The Toolbox, you can sign in two guests that are also 18+.
You will need to fill out some paperwork and take full responsibility for your guests.
How are the routes graded?
We have 10 set routes in the Toolbox that are up to 50 moves long and use numbered tags to distinguish the moves.
We grade these routes 1-10 in difficulty.
This spans from total beginner, to elite athlete level.
