Know Before You Go
- No prior climbing experience is needed to use the gym
- First time users will receive an orientation and training that covers all of the key things you need to know to climb at the URWC Gym
- Climbers may bring their own climbing equipment, but for those that need it, we provide climbing shoes and harnesses at no additional cost
- Our staff are always happy to answer your questions - just ask!
- If you have advice (beta, in climbing lingo) about how to climb a route you see another climber attempting, ask them if they want the beta first.
- There's no one "right" way to climb - as the climber Alex Lowe said, "the best climber in the world is the one having the most fun."
Climbing Gym Passes
A pass is needed to participate in climbing or bouldering. Purchase A Climbing Pass.
Valid entrance to the University Recreation and Wellness Center (URWC) is required to use the climbing wall. Non-Members should stop at the Member Services Desk to gain access to the climbing wall.
| Semester Pass | $60 + tax ($35 mid-semester) |
|---|---|
| Daily Pass (members) | $15 + tax |
Lead Belay Clinic
Are you ready to take on the challenge and responsibility of sport lead climbing? This clinic will introduce you to the technical and mental tools necessary to climb on the sharp end of the rope. You will work with a knowledgeable instructor who will explain and demonstrate the key skills you need to know and will provide ample time for hands-on practice and individual coaching. All climbing equipment is provided. Please note that in order to obtain a lead belay qualification at the U of M Climbing Gym, all climbers must pass a practical lead belay test at a later date. Attending this clinic does not automatically qualify you to lead belay, but will prepare you to be successful in the practical test. Prerequisites: Competence in top rope belay technique (i.e. Belay certified at a Climbing gym) and the ability to top-rope routes graded 5.8 or higher is required.
Dates
All Lead Belay Clinics run 12:30pm-3:00pm
- 1/28/23
- 2/11/23
- 2/25/23
- 3/18/23
- 4/1/23
Price
- $15, students
- $25, faculty/staff
Register here.
Top Rope Belay Clinic
If you like to climb and want to take the next step towards climbing independence, this clinic is for you. The Top Rope Belay Clinic will cover everything you need to know to climb as safely as possible in a top-rope gym setting including harnesses, equipment, knots, climbing commands, and belay technique. You will work with a knowledgeable instructor who will explain and demonstrate the key skills you need to know and will provide ample time for hands-on practice and individual coaching. All climbing equipment is provided. Please note that in order to obtain a belay qualification at the U of M Climbing Gym, all climbers must pass a practical belay test at a later date. Attending this clinic does not automatically qualify you to belay, but will prepare you to be successful in the practical test.
Dates
All Top Rope Clinics run 10am-12:00pm
- 1/28/23
- 2/11/23
- 2/25/23
- 3/18/23
- 4/1/23
Price
- $10, students
- $20, faculty/staff
Register here.
Outdoor Sport Climbing Clinic
Expand your outdoor adventure horizons and learn what outdoor sport climbing is all about. Learn how to assess pre-placed bolts, clip quickdraws, practice Leave No Trace, what gear to buy and how to clean a sport climb. Prerequisite: UMN Outdoor Program Lead Certification
Dates
- 2/18/23, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Price
- Free for Climbing Members
Register here.
Climbing Movements and Technique Clinic
Climbing is primarily a movement sport--having proper technique is essential to your progress. This clinic is geared toward beginner and intermediate climbers who want to learn and practice a variety of climbing techniques. The clinic will build a foundation of footwork technique, discuss the role of the upper body, and teach key skills including flagging, backstepping, cross-overs, drop knees, and lie-backing. Participants will leave having gained new skills, assessed areas for improvement, and knowing how to continue to improve their climbing skills.
Dates
- 4/15/23, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Price
- Free for Climbing Members
Register here.
Multipitch Fundamentals Clinic
Learn the skills to climb more than one pitch of a climb with a partner. We will spend our time together working through the systems, techniques and considerations that enable you to climb past the first anchor to the summit and get back down. There will be ample time for practice and feedback. This clinic is designed for individuals with previous lead climbing experience who are looking to learn the skills and risk management practices that allow you to scale taller routes. Prerequisite: UMN Outdoor Program Lead Certification
Dates
- 4/29/23, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Price
- Free for Climbing Members
Register here.
Essential Knots and Carabiners
Join our knowledgeable instructors for a tailored climbing skill lesson. Learn which 3 knots are going to serve you best 99% of the time as well as why some carabiners look different then others.
Dates
- 1/31/23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
How to Clean a Sport Route
Join our knowledgeable instructors for a tailored climbing skill lesson. Come and learn how to retrieve your gear at the end of a day of sport climbing.
Dates
- 2/14/23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Q&A with a Climbing Instructor
Climbing Anchor Basics
Join our knowledgeable instructors for a tailored climbing skill lesson. The next step up from 2 piece anchors. Learn the intricacies of three piece anchors built on pre-placed bolts.
Dates
- 3/14/23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Rappelling
Join our knowledgeable instructors for a tailored climbing skill lesson. Come and learn how to descend safely and efficiently by rappelling on two strands of rope.
Dates
- 3/28/23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Top Managed Belay Systems
Join our knowledgeable instructors for a tailored climbing skill lesson. Have you ever wondered what happens when you can't belay from the bottom? Come and learn how to bring your partner up the cliff once you are on top.
Dates
- 4/11/23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Community Climb Day - Femme/Women/Trans (2/4/2023)
Community Climb Days seek to foster inclusivity and diversity in the University of Minnesota Climbing Community. During these events, we strive to create a safe space for students to climb and build relationships with others who identify with their community and share an interest in climbing! Our goal is to create welcoming and fun environment and to create a strong community at the U of M Climbing Gym! All climbers, new and experienced, are encouraged to register and participate.
Dates
- 2/4/23, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Black Light Climbing Night - CANCELLED
Dates
- Check back for more information
Price
- Free for climbing gym members
No registration required.
Community Climb Day - BIPOC (3/25/2023)
Community Climb Days seek to foster inclusivity and diversity in the University of Minnesota Climbing Community. During these events, we strive to create a safe space for students to climb and build relationships with others who identify with their community and share an interest in climbing! Our goal is to create welcoming and fun environment and to create a strong community at the U of M Climbing Gym! All climbers, new and experienced, and are encouraged to come to try the sport in anyone who identifies with or supports these groups are welcome to register and participate.
Dates
- 3/25/23, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Community Climb Day - LGBTQIA+ (4/2/2023)
Community Climb Days seek to foster inclusivity and diversity in the University of Minnesota Climbing Community. During these events, we strive to create a safe space for students to climb and build relationships with others who identify with their community and share an interest in climbing! Our goal is to create welcoming and fun environment and to create a strong community at the U of M Climbing Gym! All climbers, new and experienced, and are encouraged to come to try the sport in anyone who identifies with or supports these groups are welcome to register and participate.
Dates
- 4/2/23, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Price
- FREE
Register here.
Comp de Bloc Climbing Competition (4/8/2023)
Comp de Bloc is a fun, community focused climbing competition at the University of Minnesota Climbing Gym. Join us for great routes, great people, and great prizes. The Comp will cater to climbers of all ability levels. Competition is open to all University of Minnesota students. The competition will follow a modified flash format with an onsight finals round. The highest point value will be awarded for a flash of a boulder (climbing it successfully on the first attempt). A lower point value will be awarded for a successful send on additional attempts. A competitor's five highest scores will be added together for the total score. Come, try hard, and have fun. Additionally, the top 5 climbers from Advanced Women and the top 5 from Advanced Men categories will advance on to an on sight finals round. All prizes are given out in a door prize drawing. You don't need to win to win some great new gear!
Categories:
Beginner (VB to V3)
Intermediate (V3 - V5)
Advanced Women (V4 and up)
Advanced Men (V4 and up)
Comp Schedule
9:00 am: Registration and Route Previews
10:00 am: Welcome and Rules
10:15 am: Climbing begins
1:45 pm: Climbing ends
2:00 pm: Door prizes and Scores
2:30 pm: Finals round
4:00 pm: Awards Ceremony
Refund-Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be given if the Outdoor Program cancels the event due to lack of registration or other extenuating circumstances.* Event participants will receive a 50% refund only if they cancel seven days prior to the event date. Registrations are non-refundable if a participant cancels fewer than seven days prior to the event date. Event registrations are non-transferable.
*The Outdoor Program will provide a full refund for any participant who meets the University of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Response Plan’s requirement for isolation or quarantine.
Register here