Vertical Reality’s Auto Belay Systems can be applied to any Rock Climbing Wall application. The system is an AUTOMATIC, FULLY REDUNDANT, HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. The system comes in a Dual Air-Cylinder format with CNC Precision Fittings mounted on a self contained streamlined steel frame that can be installed on NEW or EXISTING structures.

15 years ago, Vertical Reality pioneered and became the global leader in using hydraulic auto belays on rock climbing walls. With our unique design, we could safely allow everyone, a safe, easy and accessible way to rock climb. We first marketed our mobile versions on a trailer and then shortly thereafter, stationary versions.

Our open design allows the Inspection process to be so easy. The state inspectors truly appreciate this design so as to be able to approve the operation and to start making money. Vertical Reality’s Auto Belay Systems have been used in the field and tested in design to ensure safety up to 72 feet. There has not been one single failure with our auto belay system since we began in 15 years ago when we first brought the concept to market, and we are happy to profess that we have used this same design since then because it works and is simply the very best and safest one on the market. When you purchase our system, you get a full year, full product warranty, which then, only commences when use starts, not when first installed.

VR Auto Belay Technology

   Spec Sheet & Parts Included

• See-through Open Design, simple and easy to inspect
• Either Weld-On or Bolt-On, Open Dual Cylinder Design.
• Steel Frame Housing, self contained and streamlined. Complete set up, with all gear for each station, weighs only 95 pounds and stands 9’4” by 10 inches by 7 inches. The frame is Hot Dipped Galvanizing for long lasting durability, but the frame can also be either powder coated or painted with an Industrial Epoxy, in any color.
• 24 hour on-call service center.
• Any height between 11 feet and 78 feet.
• Pulleys are 6 inch with sealed bearings.
• Pressurized Hydraulic Composite Tank with easy-to-read pressure gauge. Also, opaque for easy inspection.
• Subsequent year cable changes can be made either by simply putting the location on our existing routes or on your own. The cables lengths for each wall are kept at our offices with a specific serial number and date.
• Although our System can accommodate a much heavier climber, we stipulate, up to 250 pounds.
• ¼ inch galvanized steel cable or rope applications available
• Tie rods with corrosion resistance (out performs zinc, chrome or nickel by 10:1).
• Aluminum tube made of high quality and hardened on the ID
• 2 Air Cylinders per station. Each cylinder type is cycle tested for 1 million cycles, or 1,000 miles.

VR uses an aluminum cylinder because its resistant to corrosion. These cylinders are specifically engineered to use air pressure and oil driven technology. This versus a standard off the shelf, welded steel cylinder, that others use to compete with ours. The problem with theirs is that they require much higher pressures to work and in turn causes much more friction and are therefore, far less efficient. Our cylinders are made with precision high grade components and are fully serviceable, albeit extremely unlikely, we want to make that point because the others are not serviceable without significant dismantling, which jeopardizes the integrity in the future.

The CNC Check Valve fitting in our system represents one of the the REDUNDANT features of our auto belay system and what allows the hydraulic oil to flow at a safe predetermined rate of descent. In other words, even if the cylinder would fail, which has never happened, or a hose were to burst, which has never happened, these check valves would still lower the climber at the same rate of descent. The other REDUNDANT feature is of course the fact that there are 2 cylinders for each climbing station.

Finally, we have formed several crews to be able to go out in the field and install these systems throughout the world. As well, we will also be able to include a step by step written process in which anyone with any technical expertise will be able to install the system, however, we all know that hiccups occur and have to acknowledge that each situation may be unique. Either way, the end user CAN install their own cables because we will have exact measurements on file and will send them dual, Lastly, warranty will be for 12 months, and will only commence upon operation of facility, NOT when they are delivered and installed. Vertical Reality is striving for everyone to have the safest and most user friendly system.  We sincerely do appreciate you reviewing this information with us. We hope you have been educated by the information on this page and look forward to your feedback and working with you all. Thank you in advance for your time. Vertical Reality appreciates the opportunity.

What is an "Auto-Belay?

In order to understand the term auto-belay, we must first define the term “belay” respective to traditional rock climbing.  The act of belaying can be defined as a procedure of securing a climber by the use of a rope.  In recreational sport climbing, there are generally two people involved in a climb, the climber and the belayer. The belayer's role is to use two hands with a braking device, which controls the descent of the climber.  One of the functions of the belayer is to ensure the rope slack is taken up as the climber ascends and ensures that the rope does not get tangled up which would result in the climber dangling.  Once the climber is ready to come down, it is the function of the belayer to allow the rope to pass through the braking device such that the climber descends at a rate that is not too fast or too slow. The biggest fear in manually lowering someone as a belayer, is that a belayer could drop the climber at too quick a pace and not in control.

Introducing Auto-Belay

Vertical Reality uses the term "auto-belay" to describe its automated belaying process that uses a pressurized air/oil hydraulic system that automatically controls the rate of descent if a climber falls or when he chooses to come down off the wall. Similarly, the system takes up the slack as the person climbs up, in which the positive air pressure in the hydraulic system causes the cable to retract. The air pressure forces the hydraulic fluid into the pistons and the whole sequence is reversed for a controlled decent. This system eliminates the need to rely upon a human belayer, rather now, with Vertical Reality’s Patent Pending Auto Belay System, a single person can supervise up to four climbers simultaneously, hence the huge labor savings.

Is the auto belay safer than a human belayer?  Vertical Reality answers this question with a resounding YES. We manufacture our climbing wall products with two hydraulic cylinders for every climbing route. Two cylinders mean that redundancy is in place and ensures that if one hydraulic cylinder fails, which in our company’s existence, the second cylinder will take up the “slack” and function in a safe manner.  In addition, even if both cylinders were to fail, our control valves would then takeover and only allow the air and oil to escape at the predetermined speed. In comparison to recreational climbing, using manual belayer's, one belayer would be required to belay each climber. The payroll savings alone make this investment worthwhile.  In fairness, rock climbing has inherent risks.  A participant climbing on the wall can be injured.  Even though the system is automated, we require that a responsible person be assigned to ensure that the mechanical function of the wall is operating properly.  As an owner of the wall, it is your responsibility to make sure constant care and supervision is taken regarding the operation of this product.