Climbing Wall
Tired of the treadmill and the weight room? 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.
Where to Start
Please click the links below to fill out the required Campus Rec Climbing Wall Hold Harmless Form.
Programs and Classes
We are pleased to offer a variety of climbing classes at the Student Recreation Center for climbers of all abilities, taught by our qualified climbing wall student staff!
Check out the descriptions for the various climbing classes we offer below. If you have any questions about a particular class, feel free to ask the rock wall staff. If the scheduled class times listed below do not work for you but you’d still like to participate, please email Dane Siegfried.
Note: Each participant must register and pay by 5 p.m. on the day before the scheduled class that they would like to attend.
The goal of this course is to provide the student with the necessary skills to climb safely at the wall. The class covers policies and procedures, equipment, basic climbing technique and safety. This is a great way to get started with climbing and meet new people! Climbing shoes are provided for this course, but if you have your own shoes you are more than welcome to bring them. This class will be taught by the wall attendant.
- Spring Quarter Class Dates: Tuesdays - April 16, May 7, May 28
- Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Cost: $10
Students will learn the basics of Top Rope Climbing including policies, procedures, equipment, tying in, climbing commands, belaying and safety. All equipment will be provided, but if you have your own harness or shoes you are more than welcome to bring them. To sign up, please complete the registration at the Recreation Center front desk.
- Spring Quarter Class Dates: Wednesdays - April 17, May 8, May 29
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Cost: $20
Learn to belay and lead sport climbing routes. This two hour class shows you the proper techniques for belaying a lead climber and how to climb routes with pre-placed protection. Participants must be proficient at top-rope belay to take the course. All equipment will be provided, but if you have your own harness, shoes or rope you are more than welcome to bring them. To sign up, please complete the registration form at the Recreation Center front desk.
- Spring Quarter Class Dates: Thursdays - April 18, May 9, May 30
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Cost: $20
- Pre-requisite: Top Rope Authorization
Get one on one instruction from our knowledgeable and experienced climbing staff. Learn proper techniques and develop climbing skills of any level. Cost is $25/hour + $9 day pass if you are not a member. To sign up, please contact Dane Siegfried.
Join us for our beginner climbing clinics each quarter. See our climbing wall attendant for more details.
Women & Non-Binary Climb Nights
The first Wednesday of each month from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. is Women & Non-Binary Climb Nights. This event is open to all genders – come join or support our women and non-binary climbing community. Program includes:
- Encouragement and instruction from climbing wall staff.
- Free top rope climbing and extra staff to belay.
- Free shoe rentals
- Prizes and Raffles
- Free for members, $9 day pass available for guests.
Veni Vidi Ascendi Climbing Competition
Western Washington University is the host to our annual climbing competition: Veni Vidi Ascendi, part of the Northwest Collegiate Climbing Circuit (NC3). This series of competitions is designed to foster community involvement and bring attention to the increasingly popular sport of climbing.
WWU first participated in the series in 2008, and each year the event held at our Student Recreation Center climbing wall is one of the largest competitions of the entire series!
This series allows participants to experience a high level of competitive sport and foster growth within the climbing community.
For up to date information, including a listing of all NC3 series events, visit the NC3 Blog and log on to the NC3 Facebook Page!
2024 NC3 Competition Details
The 2024 Veni Vidi Ascendi event was held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the WWU Student Recreation Center climbing wall.