Open 7 Days a Week (July/August)
Climb to new heights and hang out with us on our Escarpment Walk Aerial Course and the Vultures View Climbing Tower. The Escarpment Walk is an aerial ropes course that will challenge you to test your balance, coordination and courage as you traverse the climbing elements. The Vultures View is a climbing tower with three walls, each with a number of different elements and features that will take you more than 45 ft in the air.
Helmets, harnesses and climbing equipment are provided, along with instructions and guidance from our trained climbing staff.
The Challenge Course is a great option for birthday parties, corporate events, team parties and other group functions!
Rates
2023 Rates
| Course | Duration | Notes | Price (per person) |
| Escarpment Walk Aerial Ropes Course Access to Aerial Ropes Course | 1 hr | Ground School Included Max height 7’ (213 cm) Max weight 275 lbs (125 kg) Guests under 45″ (114 cm) must be accompanied by a chaperone | $25.00 + hst |
| Vultures View Climbing Tower Access to Climbing Tower | 1 hr | Ground School Included 45 lbs–330 lbs (20 kg to 150 kg) | $25.00 + hst |
| Eagle Eye Archery | 30 min | Limited participants per time slot. | $ 13.00 + hst |
**All archery supplies will be provided by our staff. Participants may not use their own archery or climbing equipment at the Kelso Challenge Course.
Hours of Operation
Please note that availability may be limited if features are at capacity. Hours of operation may change due to weather and bookings. Please call ahead if you have questions. Final guest to be completed by posted closing time.
Challenge Course Details
Be aware that the Challenge Course may close with short notice prior to or during inclement weather.
Use of the Challenge Course can include slips and trips that could result in cuts, abrasions, bruises, or other injuries but by following instructions and using equipment correctly, you can minimize these risks. Challenge Course participants are required to read and adhere to all rules, follow all instructions from staff and use all equipment correctly. Failure to do so may result in you being asked to immediately leave the course. We also recommend wearing clothing that allows for a wide range of movement, protects your skin from the wooden surfaces of the climbing course and prevents your skin from being pinched in the harness.
To use the Challenge Course you should be reasonably fit and able to stretch and reach easily. If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, you should not proceed with use of this Challenge Course. If you are unsure if you should use the course for medical reasons, we recommend talking to your doctor.
Use of the Vultures View Climbing Tower and Escarpment Walk Aerial Ropes Course includes exposure to heights and drops. If you have a fear of heights that could put yourself or others at risk, you should not attempt the courses.
Never attempt to access or use the Challenge Course without staff supervision present.
Climbing Reminders & Instruction
Always listen to staff, follow instructions and use proper equipment. Climbers must wear the following:
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Closed-toe footwear
- Non-restrictive clothing that covers body parts in contact with harness
All equipment must be adjusted to fit properly and climbers must demonstrate that they can operate their equipment safetly, as required by the course, prior to climbing. Climbers should attempt to keep their climbing lanyard or climbing line oriented between their arms while climbing.
Climbers should ensure that all personal belongings (keys, cameras, phones, etc.) are secure while climbing as falling items could injure those below and are likely to be damaged.
Climbers needing assistance should call out “guide” in order to indicate help is needed.
Climbing Reminders & Instruction
Always listen to staff, follow instructions and use proper equipment. Climbers must wear the following:
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Closed-toe footwear
- Non-restrictive clothing that covers body parts in contact with harness
All equipment must be adjusted to fit properly and climbers must demonstrate that they can operate their equipment safetly, as required by the course, prior to climbing. Climbers should attempt to keep their climbing lanyard or climbing line oriented between their arms while climbing.
Climbers should ensure that all personal belongings (keys, cameras, phones, etc.) are secure while climbing as falling items could injure those below and are likely to be damaged.
Climbers needing assistance should call out “guide” in order to indicate help is needed.
Before you gear:
- Check that closed-toe shoes are tied securely
- Ensure that non-restrictive clothing is covering body parts in contact with your harness
- We recommend a washroom break before on gear as harnesses must be removed to use the washroom
Put on your harness:
- Slide all adjustable guides on your harness open to allow you to put the harness on easily.
- Step into the leg loops for your harness and then pull the shoulder straps onto the shoulders. Ensure the hip straps sit high on your hips.
- All harness webbing should lay flat against your skin. Ensure you do not have any visible twists on folds in the webbing as these can pinch the skin.
- Adjust all guides on your harness. Ensure that your harness is snug against your shoulders, hips, and legs. Excess slack can pinch the skin.
- Ask a staff member to check your harness for proper fit.
- Checking the fit of your harness should happen before each time you climb to ensure it has not slipped or come loose during a previous climb or while waiting to climb.
If you take your harness off during your visit, please ensure it is hung up on a provided gear hook, or returned to the equipment return.
Put on your helmet:
- Use the adjustment strap in the back of the helmet to ensure a snug fit.
- Your helmet should sit with the front of your helmet resting level just above your eye brows.
- Your helmet should stay on if you shake your head, even if the chin strap is unbuckled.
- Buckle your chin strap and ensure it is snug but not too tight. You should be able to speak and breathe normally.
If you take your helmet off during your visit, please ensure it is hung up on a provided gear hook, or returned to the equipment return.
Climbing Gear
Your Escarpment Walk Aerial Ropes Course lanyard (not required for the Climbing Tower) will be installed on your harness by a staff member. Please keep your Safety C Hook slipped over a strap on your harness while not in use. Do not allow it to drag on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically speaking, course access is governed by height and weight first. We have found that most climbers 6 years and older can access things on the course, but a shorter or lighter visitor may need to be a little older to reach those height and weight requirements.
Escarpment Walk Aerial Course
- Climbers less than 45” tall must be accompanied by a chaperone to assist as the progress through the course
- Climbers must be between 20 lbs & 275 lbs to fit safe weight ranges for harnesses
- Climbers must be less than 7’ tall to use the Escarpment Walk
Vultures View Climbing Tower
Climbers must be between 45 lbs & 275 lbs to fit safe weight ranges for harnesses
Yes. Heavier rains, high winds, and lightning or thunder storms will impact course operation. Our goal is always to be open, but with summer storms blowing up unexpectedly, we may occasionally need to close due to weather. If possible, we will always wait for weather to clear and then re-open.
Beyond some energy and appetite for excitement? We just need you to dress for your adventure. Closed-toe shoes are required, as is clothing that will cover your skin where harnesses make contact. A t-shirt, shorts, and footwear that is secure and covers your toes should do it! Keen’s sandals (or similar) that can be secured to fit tight and have the covered toe cap are acceptable. Crocs or slip-on style sandals that can fall off are not allowed on the Challenge Course.
Yes. Spectators are able to move about freely on the ground. Take pictures and cheer on your squad! If you are feeling slightly more adventurous, consider our Look-out option. You can climb to the top of the tower using our Giant Steps Climber and take pictures and cheer from above. This climb is considerably less strenuous, and is usually well within comfort zones of more timid climbers.
We sell access to the challenge course features in 1 hr blocks. During your hour you will have time for several climbs on the tower, and could likely pass through the aerial course a couple times. It all depends on your energy levels, confidence, and desire to explore! A more timid climber may take longer to navigate their routes and may tire themselves out more quickly. We want you to climb at your pace and enjoy yourself.
Climbing shoes, gloves, and other clothing type equipment are definitely options you can bring for yourself. Helmets, Harnesses and Archery equipment must be supplied by the course. We need to ensure that we are familiar with the care of harnesses and helmets and their inspection logs to ensure that they are ready for use. You may be an expert climber, and we love that, we just want to be sure that we can stand behind the gear confidently.