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.
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Mission
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Objectives
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Mindset
Our Senior Management Team
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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.
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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.
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Gina: Memberships Manager
Gina is the powerhouse behind Ground Up’s memberships, helping keep the backend of the business running smoothly behind the scenes. When she isn’t responding to your emails or making gorgeous spreadsheets, Gina can be found with her mountain bike in the forests of Squamish.
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Alison: Director and Co-Owner
Alison Stewart-Patterson 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.
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!
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Jake: Community Liaison
Jake started his climbing career as a teenager in California. After joining the local competitive team, they traveled around the world competing in both lead and bouldering. The undertaking of university saw Jake move to BC where they fell in love with the forest and the granite spectacle that is Squamish. From programs to desk, to their current role as Community Liaison and coach, Jake has been a part of the Ground Up family since 2018. If you see them climbing in the gym, or out on the boulders, feel free to say hi and talk some beta.
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Meris: Program Director
Meris relocated from Ontario to Squamish in 2022. She originally aspired to be a ballet dancer; however, her exposure to new sports during university led her to discover rock climbing in 2015. Meris was inspired by the joy, challenge, and adventure that is inherent in climbing. With her experience pursuing athletics and her degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies, Meris now strives to create inclusive climbing programs where everyone can challenge themselves and feel supported. Outside of Ground Up, Meris is often taking in the beauty of Squamish while running, hiking, or photographing the landscape.
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Laura: Bookings Manager
Laura grew up in Calgary and has loved being outdoors from a very young age. After completing a degree in ecotourism and outdoor leadership, she moved out west to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. Climbing was never on her radar until moving to Squamish in the spring of 2022, as skiing and hiking took priority when she lived near the Rockies. Climbing gave Laura a sense of community and quickly became one of her favorite ways to challenge herself while spending time outdoors. After realizing the impact that climbing and its community had on her, she wanted to pay it forward by providing diverse experiential programs that will support and include every climber at every stage of their journey.
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.
View our current job postings.
Front Desk
Front Desk Staff champion the art of customer service, flicking the wrist to create latte masterpieces, offering belay sessions, and wielding a broom, mop or vacuum to keep our facility looking its best. Our ideal candidate has a profound passion for sharing climbing and fostering community with everyone they meet.
This is a Part-Time Position with potential for 2 to 4 shifts per week.
DUTIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO):
- Providing exemplary customer service at all times
- Taking and managing bookings for belay sessions, programs, and events
- Keeping the facility squeaky clean and looking professional
- Making tea, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and serving snacks from the café
- Awareness and management of risk inherent to the gym; maintaining and overseeing safe practices in the gym and confidently communicating with customers when safe practices are not being met
- Belaying for belay sessions, and stepping in to instruct after-school Youth Programs as needed
- Supporting customers by matching them with retail products that suit their needs
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
- You fondly reminisce about your recent job experience in customer service
- Current first aid and CPR certification
- A friendly disposition and teamwork mentality
- A strong sense of compassion mixed with respect for the rules that protect customers and the business
- A good sense of risk management inherent to climbing indoors (lead climbing experience required)
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED:
- Experience using Rock Gym Pro climbing gym software (desired, not required)
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1 or 2
- BC FoodSafe certification
PERKS:
- Membership to Ground Up (for those who work 8 hours a week or more)
- Great discounts on gear, food and coffee
- Working with an incredible team of dedicated people whose main goal is to provide an awesome platform for serving and nurturing the Squamish climbing community
COMPENSATION:
- Wage will be based on certification and prior experience. A $0.50/hour raise will be given to all new employees after the 3-month probation period.
- Starting wage is $18.70/hour
Expected start date: 2024-08-30
Head Route Setter
Step into a pivotal role where route setting is a vehicle for advancing Ground Up’s mission. As the Head Route Setter, you are a strong leader who will foster an environment of growth and development within the team while producing high quality routes and boulders. Ground Up Climbing is dedicated to being the foundation for a climbing community committed to sustainable knowledge, training, and growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OVERVIEW:
- Management of Setting Crew: Hire, mentor, schedule & train route setters and hold washers ● Strip and set routes and boulders on a weekly basis, consistently delivering high quality climbs for clientele of all abilities
- Planning and developing program vision and plan and associated budget
- Continued growth & development of the crew including developing a culture of constructive feedback and analysis
- Risk Management and Safety – performing regular maintenance and adhering to the ACMG/WorkSafeBC Standards guidelines for working at height
- Meticulous attention to detail, systematic planning, and effective time management ● Effective communication skills to relay information in a constructive, respectful fashion ● Internal communication and collaboration
- Create dialogue with the gym community to receive constructive feedback
- Foster enthusiasm for Ground Up and a positive team culture
WORK SCHEDULE:
- Part time role with +/- 20 hours a week (75% Setting and Forerunning, 25% Administration, Management and Maintenance)
○ Stripping and Setting:
■ Sunday Evening 7-10pm (optional)
■ Monday 6 am to 2 pm
■ Tuesday morning 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
○ Flexibility with administration, maintenance and training hours + mandatory monthly management team meetings. (~3-4 hours weekly)
○ Possibility of working within other departments (ie: front desk, youth team, rec programs) ■ Special events and competitions for the community and youth team
- Vacations limited during peak season (Oct- April)
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Climbing ability: Can consistently send V9/ 5.13
- Certifications: ACMG CGI Level 1 and Standard first aid with CPR C
- Route setting experience: Minimum 3 years of regular setting experience (routes and boulders) ● Team management/supervision: Minimum 2 years of experience
- Stamina: Must be able to set and then forerun (up to V10 and 5.13) during a shift ● Manual labor: Must be able to perform manual labor, including working at height. Staff must be comfortable with lifting objects up to roughly 50 pounds
BENEFITS AND PERKS:
- Extended health benefits (Available after 3 month probation)
- Membership to the facility
- Great discounts on gear, food and coffee
- Working with an incredible team of dedicated people whose goal is to provide a platform for foundational community and climbing development
STARTING COMPENSATION:
- $24 – $26/hr during probation period (3 months)
APPLICATION:
To apply, email alison@climbgroundup.com your resume and cover letter.
Application deadline: 2024-06-28
Expected start date: 2024-07-15 (But will be flexible for the right candidate)
Casual Belayers:
Belay sessions are a great way for new climbers to try climbing without committing to a full program. Belay sessions are booked on a custom basis, but generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Kids groups
- Adult groups
- Private sessions
The belayer positions are casual and on-call. When belay sessions are booked, we send out a call to all our belayers, and the first to respond will get the work.
If interested, please email your resume and cover letter to Laura, our Bookings Manager experiences@climbgroundup.com
Our Partners
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 bookings@climbgroundup.comDo 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.
Youth Policies
All individuals under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their waivers.
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. We require an adult supervisor to be closely supervising their child(ren).
All individuals under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their waivers.
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 checks 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.
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)