BEFORE YOU JOIN THIS GROUP you are to read and agree to the following terms and conditions. By being a part of this network you publicly acknowledge that you understand and completely agree to the following: 1. This is an online social network which meets periodically in person. This Meetup group is not a substitute for competent, professional climbing instruction from an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certified instructor. If you are looking for a qualified rock climbing instructor, please visit Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School http://www.FoxMountainGuides.com. 2. What goes up, must come down. Falling is a part of climbing. Falling is considered by those participating in the sport of rock climbing to be an accepted risk. Sometimes a fall could leave you injured or dead. Again, the consequences of a fall, no matter how severe, are an accepted risk to the climber and belayer. If you get hurt during an event posted on this website, it is completely your responsibility. You are not to blame anyone else! BY JOINING THIS GROUP YOU ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. 3. The Organizer, Assistant Organizers, Members, and Sponsor of the Chicago Rock Climbing Meetup Group do not guarantee the competence of any individual. IF YOU DO NOT WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, THEN YOU ARE ALTOGETHER DISCOURAGED FROM AND IN NO WAY INVITED TO JOIN THIS GROUP. Now that the heavy stuff is understood, we do encourage those who agree to the aforementioned terms and conditions, and who have a hint of courage, to join this group. It provides an excellent opportunity to learn an incredibly challenging, dangerous, and rewarding sport. This particular group is made up mainly of those with minimal experience. It is used as a way to meet new people and try new things within the sport of rock climbing. We learn together. Being in Chicago, most of our events take place indoors at manufactured climbing facilities. Our outdoor trips are usually to Devil's Lake in Wisconsin and Red River Gorge in Kentucky. (About 200 and 400 miles from Chicago respectively.) Most outdoor trips are lead by AMGA (http://www.amga.com) certified instructors. These trips usually require an investment of under $80 and include all the equipment you will need for rock climbing. Happy climbing!