Rules & Policies
- The climbing wall is open to all students, faculty, staff and household members who possess a valid AllCampus Card
- "Guest Passes" are not allowed to use the climbing wall
- You must sign an Acknowledgement of Risk and Policies form in order to climb, boulder or belay (anyone under 18 years of age must have a parent’s signature)
- You must check in when you arrive and present your AllCampus Card and your belay card before climbing
- Climbing in bare feet is not allowed, climbing shoes or athletic shoes are acceptable
- Wearing footwear while at the climbing wall is not required, but strongly encouraged
- Helmets must be worn while top rope climbing. It is recommended that those belaying and bouldering also wear helmets
- All climbing above shoulder height must be protected by a top rope belay
- Rock Wall staff are not allowed to belay climbers or spot boulders, They are there to monitor safety, issue equipment, perform safety assessments, and assist patrons
- Climbing, belaying or bouldering while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not allowed
- Please follow all policies and adhere to all staff recommendations. Policy violations will result in the loss of climbing privileges as well as possible disciplinary action
Bouldering
- Spotters are required while bouldering
- Climbers must not exceed the height of their spotters shoulders
- Make sure there are mats beneath you while bouldering
- Do not traverse under top-ropes climbers
Beginning Climbers
- Can climb with a sponsor that has scored "Blue" on their Safety Skills Assessment
- Check out Outdoor Adventures
- Check out Physical Educations's Academic Rock Climbing classes
Sponsoring Beginning Climbers
- When sponsoring a climb-only patron you are responsible for belaying that guest
- Sponsors and guests must adhere to rock wall policies
- 2 climb-only guests per verified belayer with a "Blue" card
Equipment
- Equipment including ropes, harnesses, helmets, belay devices, anchors and shoes is provided free of charge
- You may use your own harness, shoes, helmet and hardware, however, you assume all liability resulting from its use
- Personal ropes are not allowed
- Eco balls are permissiblie for use on the climbing wall. Gymnastics chalk and climbing chalk are not allowed
- Please report unsafe conditions to the Rock Wall staff immediately
Belaying
- In order to belay at the Rock Wall, you must pass Outdoor Adventures Safety Skills Assessment
- Rock Wall supervisors will perform Safety Skills Assessments daily as time allows
- Anchored belay are required
Belay Clinic
- Belay Clinics are 2-hour classes that teach the basics of rock climbing including catching a climber during a fall and lowering them safely. These clinics cost $10.
The colored belay card system is used to assist the Rock Wall Staff in monitoring the safety of climbers. Outdoor Adventure’s staff strives to prevent bad habits from forming, strengthen the confidence level of new belayers and to introduce new innovations in belaying.
Once a belayer’s safety skills have been assessed, they will be awarded a red, yellow, or blue card based upon their performance. All climbers regardless of belay card color will be monitored. You must wear your belay card on your harness at all times. If you have lost your card please let the staff know so they can make a new one.RED - Red Cards signify that the holder is not able to belay alone. This is likely a climber that has never learned to belay or did not perform at the acceptable level on their safety assessment. All climbers with red cards must be belayed by a belayer with a blue card and be sponsored by them.
YELLOW - Belayers with a Yellow Card have completed the Safety Skills Assessment at the acceptable level and are constantly supervised by Rock Wall Staff; areas needing improvement were not critical safety issues.
BLUE - Belayers with a Blue Card have completed the Safety Skills Assessment at the target level and require less supervision.
For questions or additional information, contact Outdoor Adventures (919) 513-0072.