Climbing Wall

Tired of the treadmill and the weight room? Want to get pumped? Climbing provides a full body workout that will challenge you both mentally and physically. The Student Recreation Center offers two 30-foot high climbing walls in addition to a 12-foot high freeform bouldering wall boasting a total of 3,300 square feet of climbing containing routes of varying difficulty.

Stop by the rock wall next time you're at the Student Recreation Center and find out why everyone wants to "Grab Life by the Walls."

Climbing Wall Rules

Survive your climbing wall experience by reading our Rules and Policies.

All participants wishing to use the Rock Wall will be required to go through a brief orientation with a Climbing Wall Attendant. Upon completion of the orientation, climbers will be issued a RED card verifying their understanding of the inherent risks associated with indoor climbing and the ensuing policies put in place to minimize those risks.

In order to belay, participants must pass a Belay Certification Test. Upon completion, belayers will trade their RED orientation card for a BLUE card verifying that they have safely demonstrated belay skills to a Rock Wall Attendant and that they have completed the orientation process.

In order to Lead Belay or Climb, participants must pass a Lead Climbing and Lead Belay Test. After successfully demonstrating Lead Climbing and Belay techniques, participants will trade their BLUE top roping card for a PURPLE card verifying that they are able to lead climb, lead and top rope belay and that they have completed the orientation process.

In summary:

• RED cards: Enable climbers to climb with or without ropes.
• BLUE cards: Enable climbers to top rope belay and climb with or without ropes.
• PURPLE cards: Enable climbers to lead climb, lead belay, top rope belay and climb with or without ropes.

There is no fee for any verification or certification cards.  Cards become the responsibility of the climber and must be displayed on the climber's person at all times will using the Climbing Wall.  If the climber loses their verification or certification card, there will be a replacement fee of $5.00.

Climbing Wall Hours

TEMPORARY CLOSURE: Please be aware that the climbing wall will be closed for about one week starting on October 19 for the installation of a new floor.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

LONGER HOURS: The climbing wall now features new hours!  The wall will open at 11:00 a.m. and close hour prior to the building's closure.

New Climbing Wall Features

NEW EQUIPMENT: Check out our new Misty Mountain climbing harnesses and Mammut shoes! All climbing equipment is available for check out at the Equipment Desk for a small fee.

There is now a lead climbing package that may be checked out at the equipment desk for a small fee. The lead climbing package includes a lead climbing rope and quickdraws. It is the responsibility of the climber to re-set the top ropes and return the lead climbing rope properly coiled.

NEW RATING SYSTEM: V what?! We’re simplifying our rating scale. Look for our ratings ranging from • (easiest) to ••••• (someone save me!)

Northwest Collegiate Climbing Series

The Student Recreation Center was involved in founding the Northwest Collegiate Climbing Competition (NC³) series in 2008 with the University of Washington and Central Washington University. The series of climbing events allows students to challenge themselves and represent their university, club, or team at the same time.

Four additional Northwest universities are joining in the fun for the 2009-2010 academic year including: Eastern Washington University, Portland State University, Oregon State University and University of Idaho.

The Student Recreation Center is hosting their annual competition "Veni. Vidi. Ascendi." on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Stay tuned for more details! For up to date info visit the NC³ blog and become a fan of the NC³ Facebook group!

Click here to view results from the 2009 NC³ which was held at the Student Recreation Center climbing wall on the weekend of May 2-3.

NEW! Mile High Challenge

Need a reason to climb? How about 5,280 reasons? Rock out with your chalk out at the SRC’s Mile High Challenge. Climb the wall 160 times to join the illustrious Mile High Club. Register at the Front Desk and track your progress at the Climbing Wall every time you climb. Once you’ve gone the distance, you’ll be rewarded with a t-shirt and an entry into our 2009-2010 Hall of Fame!