Open Climbing
Interested in rock climbing? Whether you're a beginner looking to learn basic skills or you're an experienced climber looking to get some practice in, you can join us at any of our Open Climbing sessions.
View the Open Climbing Schedule Here!
Youth Rock Climbing Class
Is your child looking for a new challenge? Sign up now for the OAP Youth Indoor Rock Climbing Class and let them climb our wall!
Check out Youth Rock Climbing Class Here!
Private Events
Looking to reserve our climbing wall for an event? We've got you covered! To reserve the climbing wall, please click the link below and scroll down to the Student Development Complex category. You can reserve the climbing wall by making a reservation for Climbing Wall and Kilter Wall. You can also filter to categories Indoor Climbing and General and follow the same reservation process.
Please note, all custom trips or experiences must be requested at least 15 days in advance. You can also view rates for your reservation below.
Reserve the Climbing Wall Here!
Climbing Wall Reservation Rates
OAP Cancelation Policy for Contracted Events
- 7 days or more before the start of the event = 75% refund
- 3-7 days before the start of the event = 50% refund
- Less than 3 days before the start of the event = Zero refund
Please plan ahead to ensure that you are not canceling your reservation too late to receive a refund. We do not offer refunds based on weather conditions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Climbing Wall is managed in cooperation between the OAP and Ridge Roamers. The main wall is located in the SDC Multipurpose Gym, and the adjustable training wall (the kilter board) is located in Racquetball Court 6. Use of the walls during non-open climb times is limited to paid members of Ridge Roamers and approved classes or events.
Main Wall
The main climbing wall is located in the SDC Multipurpose Gym. It consists of four top-rope walls (bulge, flat, roof, and crack) and a 10-foot bouldering wall. The bouldering wall is constantly changing with new routes and is completely reset once or twice a semester during the week before the Keweenaw Climbing Competition. The top-rope walls are reset once a semester the week before the Keweenaw Climbing Competition and has a variety of climbs for beginner to advanced climbers alike. Although we DO NOT offer lead climbing at our walls, we do allow Simulated Lead Climbing through the use of a top-rope belay and drag rope. Please inquire with climbing staff for more information.
Kilter Board
The adjustable training board, the kilter board, is located in Racquetball Court 6 and is open for paid Ridge Roamers members as well as during Open Climb events. The board is set at various angles throughout the week by staff and allows students to improve their climbing skills through a variety of different climbs. Use of the board requires the Kilter Board app and proper climbing shoes. For more information, please talk to one of the climbing staff during Open Climb.
Rules
Adult supervision is required for all children at the SDC under age 12. All questions can be sent to recreation@mtu.edu.
All climbers are required to sign an OAP waiver form prior to participation. The SDC is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Please do not leave valuables unattended.
Requirements for Entry
- A valid Michigan Tech Student ID or Access ID
- Day Pass or Punch Card
- An SDC Action Pass. Action pass holders will stop at the SDC Ticket Office (during business hours) to get pass punched and receive a dated wristband.
- Patrons must check-in at the multi-desk before entering the Multi-Purpose Gym.
- Towel service will also not be in operation, please bring your own towel.
The SDC Facility Rules apply to the Climbing Wall, as well as the following wall-specific rules.
- A signed waiver is required in order to use the boulder and climbing wall.
- Climbers below the age of 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian to sign the form.
- Fill out the waiver prior to your visit to speed up the process at the wall.
- Show valid ID or day pass at the multipurpose room checkpoint and proceed to the climbing wall to check in with staff and sign waiver.
- Use of the wall without the supervision and approval of the OAP is prohibited.
General Rules
- All climbers must comply with the judgment and decisions of the wall supervisor(s) on duty at the wall.
- The climbing wall is open to SDC Access Holders, Michigan Tech students, and day pass users during open wall hours Monday - Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm.
- Do not walk on, stand on, or use the ropes improperly.
- Only rock climbing equipment approved by Climbing Wall Staff is to be used at the climbing wall.
- The use of cellular phones, MP3 players, headphones, or similar devices is prohibited while belaying or climbing.
- Climbing with a cellular phone, MP3 players, headphones, or similar devices that could be dropped onto or injure others is prohibited.
- Participants must remove any jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc.) prior to climbing to prevent injury.
- Only appropriate climbing footwear is permitted on climbing surfaces. The use of rock climbing shoes or athletic shoes is recommended. No bare feet or mountaineering boots allowed on the climbing wall.
- Helmet use is encouraged and allowed, but not required (bring your own).
- No snacks, food, or beverage (except bottled water) is allowed in the SDC Multipurpose gym.
- No climbing or belaying is allowed while under the influence of intoxicating substances.
- The use of vulgar language or improper conduct will result in loss of climbing privileges.
Bouldering Rules
- Bouldering is only allowed over padded areas.
- Do not boulder under roped climbers.
- It is recommended to have a minimum of one spotter per climber when bouldering.
- When bouldering, the boulderer's feet shall not pass above the height of the wall equivalent to the height of the boulderer's shoulders at ground level.
- A climber's voluntary participation in bouldering indicates their acknowledgment that bouldering is dangerous and a spotter may not prevent injuries.
- Spotters understand that they may be injured by the boulderer if they should fall.
- Move the provided landing mats to the best position to protect you from a fall when bouldering.
Belaying Rules
- Only SDC Climbing Wall certified belayers are permitted to belay climbers.
- All belayers and climbers agree to utilize proper belaying techniques and agree to DOUBLE CHECK their set-up before beginning the climb.
- The belayer will check the climber's gear and knots, and the climber will check the belayer’s system and exchange confirmation that the set-up is correct. This is most important and must be performed at the start of each and every climb!
- The belayer must pay attention to the climber at all times.
- The belayer should lower the climber slowly, and with both hands, to avoid a possible rope-burn/drop accident.
- Anchoring is recommended for all belayers (though not required). It is especially recommended that the belayer anchor when the climber is much heavier than the belayer.
- When climbers are on the wall, spectators must stay behind the belayers to not interfere.
Any infractions of the above rules will result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions will result in loss of climbing privileges.
