Climbing + Bouldering

Climbing is primarily a movement sport--having proper technique is essential to your progress.  This clinic is geared toward 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:

• 10/12/2024

Price:

• Free for members

Register here.

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 will take place from 12:30pm-3pm.

• 9/21/2024
• 10/5/2024
• 10/26/2024
• 11/9/2024
   

Price:

• $15, students
• $25, faculty/staff

Register here.

Refund-Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be given in the event that the Outdoor Program cancels a trip or clinic due to lack of registration, weather, or other extenuating circumstances.  Canceled trips or clinics will not be rescheduled to an alternate date.  
Cancellations within 7 days of the scheduled trip departure date for day trips and clinics or 7 days from the scheduled pre-trip meeting for multi-day trips will not be refunded.
Cancellations prior to 7 days before the scheduled trip departure date for day trips and clinics or the scheduled pre-trip meeting for multi-day trips are eligible for a 50% refund.
Registrations canceled within 72 hours from the time of registration are eligible for a full refund provided the 72 hour period falls outside of 7 days prior to the scheduled trip departure or pre-trip meeting date.
Cancellation and refund requests should be directed to [email protected].

Start the semester off by refreshing and practicing your Lead Belay technique and be prepared to pass your Lead Belay Assessment. Additionally, if you feel confident in your belay skills, this is a great time to take your belay assessment and get qualified to belay at the Climbing Gym (test must be taken before receiving instruction). Your instructor will review the most important elements of Lead Belay technique, discuss what is involved in the lead test, and provide the opportunity to practice with direct coaching.  Please note that the Lead Belay Refresher is not designed as a substitute for the Lead Belay Clinic.  If you do not already know how to lead belay and lead climb, you should check out that clinic instead.

Dates:

• 9/7/2024
   

Price:

• FREE

Register here.

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 Belay Clinics will take place from 10am-12pm.

• 9/21/2024
• 10/5/2024
• 10/26/2024
• 11/9/2024
   

Price:

• $10, students
• $20, faculty/staff

Register here.

Refund-Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be given in the event that the Outdoor Program cancels a trip or clinic due to lack of registration, weather, or other extenuating circumstances.  Canceled trips or clinics will not be rescheduled to an alternate date.  
Cancellations within 7 days of the scheduled trip departure date for day trips and clinics or 7 days from the scheduled pre-trip meeting for multi-day trips will not be refunded.
Cancellations prior to 7 days before the scheduled trip departure date for day trips and clinics or the scheduled pre-trip meeting for multi-day trips are eligible for a 50% refund.
Registrations canceled within 72 hours from the time of registration are eligible for a full refund provided the 72 hour period falls outside of 7 days prior to the scheduled trip departure or pre-trip meeting date.
Cancellation and refund requests should be directed to [email protected].

Start the semester off by refreshing and practicing your Belay technique and be prepared to pass your Belay Assessment.  Additionally, if you feel confident in your belay skills, this is a great time to take your belay assessment and get qualified to belay at the Climbing Gym (test must be taken before receiving instruction).  Your instructor will review the most important elements of belay technique, discuss what is involved in the belay test, and provide the opportunity to practice belaying with direct coaching.  Please note that the Belay Refresher is not designed as a substitute for the Belay Technique Clinic.  If you do not already know how to belay, you should check out that clinic instead. 

Dates:

• 9/7/2024
   

Price:

• FREE

Register here.

If you want to improve your climbing skills, you need to know the fundamentals of climbing training.  Whether you are a newer climber looking to develop your abilities or an experienced climber looking to gain the edge you need to send a project, the underlying principles of climbing training are the same.  The knowledge you gain from this clinic will help you plan and implement a training program that works for you whether that involves a spreadsheet and a yearlong training macrocycle or simply setting small goals each time you climb to get the most out of a session.  Clinic participants will be provided with a number of worksheets, training documents, and resources they can use in the future.  The clinic will start with a goal setting exercise and individual assessment of climbing strengths and weaknesses.  From there, we will address the triangle of climbing skills:  technical skills, physical fitness, and the mental game.  This holistic approach will provide you with activities and drills to improve in each of these areas in alignment with your goals and personal strengths and weaknesses.  Additionally, the clinic will cover building out a structured training plan.  There is no one size fits all approach to climbing training - this clinic will empower you with the knowledge you need to create your own training plan, whether simple or complex, in a way that fits into your life and your goals. 

Dates:

• 11/23/2024
   

Price:

• Free for members 

Register here.

If you want to improve your climbing skills, you need to know the fundamentals of climbing training.  Whether you are a newer climber looking to develop your abilities or an experienced climber looking to gain the edge you need to send a project, the underlying principles of climbing training are the same.  The knowledge you gain from this clinic will help you plan and implement a training program that works for you whether that involves a spreadsheet and a yearlong training macrocycle or simply setting small goals each time you climb to get the most out of a session.  Clinic participants will be provided with a number of worksheets, training documents, and resources they can use in the future.  The clinic will start with a goal setting exercise and individual assessment of climbing strengths and weaknesses.  From there, we will address the triangle of climbing skills:  technical skills, physical fitness, and the mental game.  This holistic approach will provide you with activities and drills to improve in each of these areas in alignment with your goals and personal strengths and weaknesses.  Additionally, the clinic will cover building out a structured training plan.  There is no one size fits all approach to climbing training - this clinic will empower you with the knowledge you need to create your own training plan, whether simple or complex, in a way that fits into your life and your goals. 

Dates:

• 11/2/2024
   

Price:

• Free for members 

Register here.