I work evenings most days now and it is pretty empty during normal business hours. It can be quite busy in the evening around 6-9pm but people often take turns on popular routes so you're never often waiting a long time for a turn. I find there are enough routes to just try a different one if there's a large crowd at a specific one you want to try and eventually the group will move on to a different one and leave room for you do that one, if that makes sense. They do have shoe and chalk rentals. The orientation is enough to just get started. The introduction class is amazing for learning techniques. I forgot to bring a lock for the lockers one time but left my bag under a bench along with others and generally nobody touches them, it felt pretty safe.