Climbing Wall

Climbing Wall & Boulder

Hours

The climbing area has limited hours.
Wall
10 meters high (~33ft)
3 lanes wide (1 auto belay, 2 manual)
Routes are changed throughout the semester
Boulder
10 ft high
3 pads available

Policies

1. The NGCSU Climbing Wall is available for use by current NGCSU valid patrons of the Student Recreation Center and their sponsored guests. There is no charge for recreational use of the wall. Climbers may only climb during open recreation hours and NGCSU ID to the on-duty attendant before they begin to climb. NO CARD = NO CLIMB.
2. The current hours for recreational climbing are listed on the NGCSU Rec Sports website and posted outside the Climbing Wall. Hours may change subject to usage patterns.
3. Any member of the Student Recreation Center may participate in unlimited “try climbing”. A certification clinic is strongly recommended but is not required. The certification clinic teaches belay skills, policies and procedures for use of the facility and introduces some climbing skill information. Participants need to successfully complete a written and practical test and sign the Climbing Wall Use Agreement to be certified for use of the Climbing Wall. The test and Use Agreement will be kept in the Climbing Wall computer records for one year at which time each certified user will need to complete a re-certification test for use the subsequent year.
4. Upon completion of a certification clinic one may be able to participate in a lead climbing certification clinic in order to be able to lead climb at the Climbing Wall.
5. If any participant behaves in an inappropriate manner that does not follow the policies and procedures of the climbing wall, he or she is subject to being banned from usage of the wall.
6. Any member of the Student Recreation Center may participate in “try Climb”. Only those certified may belay.
7. Belayers and climbers must follow ALL procedures covered in the certification session or privileges may be revoked by the staff.
8. All Climbers must wear a shirt and proper shoes while climbing/bouldering. Climbing shoes, athletic shoes, water shoes and tennis shoes are allowed on the wall. NO bare feet, street shoes, hiking boots or military boots. No Vibram Soles.

9. No food is allowed in the Climbing Wall area. Only water in closed containers is allowed.

10. Personal equipment is not allowed in the climbing wall area except for shoes, harnesses, and chalk bags (only liquid or ball chalk may be used.) All equipment is subject to inspection by any on-duty staff or instructor and may be refused if found unsafe. NGCSU makes available the following equipment: harnesses, helmets, ropes and all hardware. All climbers must respect gear, ropes, and other climbers at all times. NO gear belonging to NGCSU should ever leave the climbing wall area FOR ANY REASON. Participants must use NGCSU hardware. Only ATC’s may be used to belay by certified climbers (no GriGri’s). Use of helmets is recommended and are available at no charge. Participants may choose to assume the risks associated with not wearing a helmet and have stated that this is understood with a signature on the Climbing Wall Use Agreement.

11. When bouldering, no body parts besides hands are allowed on the top of the Boulder. Spotting is strongly recommended especially when feet are higher than hips. Use of a crash pad is required when    bouldering.
12. A figure eight follow through knot is to be used to tie into the belay rope. A double figure eight loop knot with a carabineer is also acceptable for climbing.
13. Proper verbal commands for ascending are: Climber -“On belay?” Belayer -“Belay on”, Climber -“Climbing?” Belayer -“Climb on”. Proper verbal commands for descending are: Climber -“Descend”, Belayer -“Descending”. Proper verbal commands after climbing is completed: Climber -“Off belay?”, Belayer -“Belay off”. If a climber says “Take”, this means to take out slack.
14. All problems such as loose holds, rope problems, accidents, etc. should be reported to and handled by the on-duty staff or instructor. ONLY STAFF may change anything on the wall. Suggestions and requests are welcome.
15. In the event of an emergency in the Climbing Wall, participants in the room may be asked to assist by going to the Front Desk to call for the Student Facility Supervisor to come to the scene.
16. All shirts should be tucked into harnesses. Long hair should be tied back. No necklaces, bracelets, or other jewelry that may get caught on the wall or in the belay devices may be worn in the climbing area.
17. Climbers should not make contact with the suspended lights in the room or the windows and window sills.
18. It is expected that all general policies and procedures for the Recreation Center be followed by the climbing wall participants as well.
19. Never touch the bolt hangers, which are small metal hoops screwed into the wall.
20. Never descend on twisted rope. One must untwist before descending to avoid fraying the rope.
21. Control all descents. Do not lower climbers quickly.
22. Belayers should tie themselves into the belay anchor.
23. Never step on the rope. Stepping on the rope embeds dirt and debris in the sheath which degrades the quality of the rope.
24. Any questions, complaints, suggestions, etc. can be put in the suggestion box, given to the on-duty attendant, or sent to the climbing wall coordinator.