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An anchor in the Squamish climbing community,

Members
waiver

Committed to Learning & Improving

Ground Up runs on continually re-evaluating and challenging our ability to have a growth mindset. Much like the boulder problems and routes you seek out in our facility, we see problems as opportunities for growth.

We are real people

We work to solve real problems and we know we will make mistakes, but we are committed to learning and improving to better our community.

Mission

To be the foundation for a sustainable climbing community committed to knowledge, training and growth.

Objectives

Promote community engagement through indoor climbing. Encourage youth participation through programs and opportunities. Create an inclusive space for climbers of all levels to learn, train and grow. Provide comprehensive climbing education that allows for good habits, problem solving and decision-making throughout the climbers life.

Mindset

Growth Mindset - We are okay with failure. In fact, we value it. Learning from our mistakes and leaning into challenges is what climbing is all about. As a company, we are constantly re-committing to re-examining what we are doing then learning, and improving.

Our Senior Leadership Team

Meghan: Operations Manager

Meghan is the operations manager for Ground Up, taking care of our facilities and front desk. She got into climbing as a teenager at her local climbing gym. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned to climbing outdoors and fell in love with Squamish granodiorite. When she is not working or climbing, she is off in the woods riding her mountain bike.

Jud: Head Coach

Jud(ith) was born in Austria and moved to Canada in 2015. Since the gym opened in Dec 2015, Jud has been working in several departments involving Front Desk, Rec Program, Youth Team and Routesetting. Since 2017, she has been the Head Coach for the competitive youth team and Performance Coach for a variety of climbers that are looking to improve their climbing on a physical-technical-tactical-mental level. With 25+ years of climbing and climbing-specific training experience, as well as competing in her earlier years for the Austrian national team, Jud has a wealth of knowledge that she loves passing on as a coach. She holds a master’s degree for performing arts (music & dance education) which has had a major impact on her coaching style, being methodical and analytical in her approach to help clients to meet their climbing goals.

Alison: Director and Head Route Setter

Alison grew up in Kamloops making her a rare breed, BC born and raised. Alison started climbing at the age of 6 with influence from her father, a mountain guide, and took the sport to an international stage representing Canada at a variety of World Cups in lead, speed, and bouldering. She has worked in a variety of roles in the climbing community, from belayer to assistant manager to routesetter to programs director to gym owner. Alison made the move out to Squamish in May 2021 and has been working at Ground Up since July 2021 and became a part of the new ownership team in April 2023. Alison is also the Head Route Setter at Ground Up! 

When Alison isn’t at Ground Up, you will probably find her romping the trails on her mountain bike, in the boulders, or binging the Bachelorette. Fun fact: Alison held a Canadian speed climbing record until May 2019 of 10.83 seconds!

Izzy: Community Engagement Manager

Izzy joined the Ground Up team as Community Engagement Manager in April 2026 and looks after our community partnerships, events, and social media. You’ll often spot her around the gym putting up posters, chatting with members, or trying to capture the perfect photo or questionable reel for Instagram.

Originally from the Lake District in the UK, Izzy started trad climbing as a teenager and spent her early years ticking off local classics close to home. Since then, she’s developed a love for everything from European limestone sport climbing to Welsh slate slabs, although Squamish granite cracks are slowly growing on her too.

Happiest when outdoors, if she’s not climbing you’ll find her skiing, hiking or enjoying a sunny afternoon at Brohm!

Theo: Assistant Operations Manager

Theo began climbing around 10 years ago while bouldering in London gyms. After discovering outdoor sport climbing while travelling, he never looked back, spending several years chasing the next destination and the next climb across Europe, Asia, Australia, and now North America.

A dedicated sport climber and projector at heart, Theo loves the mental and physical challenge that projecting demands – particularly the focus, determination, problem solving, and perseverance required to work through difficult routes.

As Assistant Operations Manager at Ground Up Climbing Centre, he supports the day-to-day running of the gym and helps guide the front desk team, aiming to create a calm and welcoming environment for climbers of all levels.

Outside of climbing, Theo enjoys running, chess, and a good game of Scrabble.

Join Our Team

Ground Up strives to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities and persons with disabilities.

Check our current postings.

 

We don’t have any current job posting but please fill out the Google form so we have your resume on file.

Application Form

Our Partners

We have to take a minute to shout out to our key community partners. Ground Up Climbing would not be possible without the support of
these incredible companies. These companies share our passion for the outdoors, our excitement for rock climbing and our love of Squamish

Proud member and partner of

Proud to Support

We are also proud to support Canadian athletes in collaboration with Canadian Sport Institute.

Interested in partnering with us? Please get in touch!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a short list of frequently asked questions related to rock climbing at Ground Up Climbing Centre.

If your questions are not answered by this list, please reach out to us.

604. 567. 8850

Do I need to sign a waiver?
Yes, Everyone who would like to enter the main space of the facility must sign a waiver and acknowledge the risks and the rules. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this. You can fill it out online before you get here, print off the legal-sized waiver, and bring it to us on your first visit or on one of our tablets in-house.

All individuals under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their waivers.

Youth Policies

Youth 6 and under:
1 adult : 1 child supervision ratio is required. The supervisor may not climb and must remain within arm’s reach of the child. Youth in this age range are still developing awareness and the ability to understand potential risks. Kids under 4 climb for free!

Youth 7-11:
1 adult : 2 children maximum supervision ratio. The supervisor may not climb and must be closely supervising their child(ren). 

What is belaying?
Belaying is a term taken from sailing and in other words means to “hold fast”. However, in rock climbing parlance, it means to manage a rope for a climber using a dynamic friction device. Within our facility, we allow the use of tube belay devices and Gri Gris. In addition, we require the current manufacturer standard for the use of those belay devices. If this is new to you and something you are interested in learning, see our lessons page to learn more. If you are looking to lead climb, you must complete a toprope check and then a lead check. 

How old do I have to be to belay on my own?
In order to belay without adult supervision, individuals must be a minimum age of 14 years old. For lead belaying and lead climbing the minimum age is 16 years old. All belayers must pass a belay check.

I already know how to belay. How can my friend learn?

If they are looking to learn to top rope, our Ground School course is a great option! If they are looking to break into lead climbing, our Learn-to-Lead course is for them. 

Any teaching in the facility must be done by Ground Up ACMG-certified instructors (ie. your climbing buddy can’t teach you here) 

What does a belay check cost?
Belay checks are included with gym pass or membership.

Do I need to bring my rope?
Nope! We provide all of the ropes on site and regularly inspect them.

Do I need to bring my belay device?
You are welcome to use your own certified belay device. Otherwise, we rent GRIGRI’s for $3 and loan out ATC’s in exchange for some collateral (such as a piece of ID)