​Bouldering is a style of climbing that doesn't use harnesses and ropes, and which has become notably popular with neurodivergent people in recent years.

​Our first AMASE trip to Alien Bloc was on the 20th of September 2025. These are fortnightly at the moment.

​No experience is required - all levels of ability are welcomed.

​This event series is inspired by T Climbing, a fortnightly climbing group for trans people, so you might like to check out their Instagram to learn more.

​What to expect

​We usually have 3-6 climbers from AMASE. At least a couple of us have been doing this for a few months.

​We are also sometimes joined by Kifl, a small, friendly dog belonging to two of our members.

​We often begin by doing some warmup stretches/movements in the upstairs training area. We then spend some time in one or both of the larger bouldering areas downstairs, often taking turns to try different routes. After an hour or so, we go upstairs to the traverse/cave room, where there are sofas and seats, to have a hot drink and some snacks. We then try some of the traverse/cave climbs, and sometimes end up staying beyond 3pm!

​The overall pace is relaxed. You're welcome to join us for as long or short a time as you would like.

​Start time

​It is not uncommon for us to be a bit late, so please do not be alarmed if this happens! We will try to send a message via Luma if so.

​Price

• ​Entrance: £13

• ​Shoe hire (if needed): £3.50

​What to bring

• ​A water bottle (you can refill it near reception)

• ​Snacks (or there are some bars/chocolates you can buy from reception)

• ​Clothes you feel comfortable doing physical exercise in (you can come wearing these or use the changing rooms)

• ​Moisturiser for your hands (recommended esp if you have sensitive/dry skin)

• ​A padlock if you would like to lock your locker (most of us don't usually bother and we've been fine so far)

• ​Any other items that may help you feel comfortable, e.g. ear plugs, sunglasses, stim toys...

​If it's your first time at Alien Bloc...

​You will be required to sign this waiver before climbing - you might like to sign it beforehand, to save you a bit of time at the venue.

​Accessibility & support

​When signing up, there is a question where you can let us know about any accessibility and/or support needs. This is an autistic community event, so we expect everyone to be welcoming of different communication styles, stimming and other different ways of being.

​Sensory environment

• ​Noise: the gym isn't usually too loud/busy at this time of day, but there is often low level background music. It can be quite noisy near the toilets/changing rooms due to hand dryers. Staff occasionally use a drill to attach/tighten grips, which can be quite loud and sudden.

• ​Lighting: the space uses a combination of fluorescent lighting and natural lighting. So far, none of us have noticed a flickering/strobing effect from the fluorescent lights. The cave area upstairs is not directly lit. See the alien bloc website and/or photos on Google Maps to get an idea.

• ​Smell: it can smell a bit sweaty! There is sometimes also a smell of body spray from the changing rooms and a coffee smell around the reception area.

• ​Temperature: the space isn't heated, but you will probably feel warmer the more you climb!

• ​Crowdedness: Saturday lunchtimes tend to be relatively quiet. Even when it's busier, people are quite good at giving each other space.

• ​Other: as chalk is used for grip, surfaces can be chalky. Chalk will get on hands and clothes (but dusts off), and in the air. Grips can sometimes get a bit sweaty, but we can dust these with a brush.

​Toilets & changing rooms

​There is a gender neutral toilet at Alien Bloc as well as gendered toilets. Changing rooms are gendered but the space is overall very trans inclusive. There is at least one individual shower room outside the changing rooms.

​Nervous about coming along?

​You can come and check out Alien Bloc and/or watch what we get up without paying to climb. There is a seating area upstairs where you could sit with a hot drink, for example.

​In the signup form for this event, there is an option to ask any questions. If you are an AMASE member, you can also connect with other people who go to bouldering events in our Discord server's ⁠#amase-events channel.

​Unsure about signing up?

​Please feel free to sign up even if you don't know if you'll make it. We don't mind about no-shows, and the reminders from Luma can still be helpful. You're also welcome to come along on the day if you haven't signed up!

​Please note

​This event is open to AMASE members and non members.

​By participating in an AMASE event, you agree to our Code of Conduct. This is currently a work in progress, but the key message is: be respectful!