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Climbing Wall FAQ & Policies

Frequently Asked Questions & POLICIES


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What can I do at the climbing wall?

The wall features bouldering, top rope climbing, belay classes, and hosts special events such as competitions.

How to do climb? Do I sign up?

Bouldering is open anytime the Student Recreation Center is open.

Roped Climbing is available: HOURS

Sign up for Belay Classes

Special Events are hosted periodically, check back for our next competition!

Who is eligible?

SRC Patrons and Sponsored Guests.

As with the Student Recreation Center, children under the age of 15 must be under direct adult supervision.

Do I have to do anything other than swipe in at the Student Recreation Center?

For bouldering, please also swipe in at the wall.

For roped climbing, you’ll either need to be belayed by our staff or pass a belay test.

Belay classes and special events typically have a fee which you’ll pay during registration.

Do you have equipment? Can I use my own?

Shoes and harnesses are available for free. You may also use your own once checked by a staff member. You must use the provided ropes and belay devices.

What do all of these terms (bouldering, top rope, belay) mean?

Check out our page about Types of Climbing

Rules and Regulations

  1. Bouldering on the bouldering wall and below the bouldering line of the top-rope wall can be done at any time the Student Recreation Center is open. No body parts may go above the bouldering line of the top-rope wall while bouldering. Rope climbing can only be done during the posted rope climbing hours while there is a climbing wall staff present. During roped climbing hours, bouldering can occur, but individuals bouldering must yield to roped climbers. 
  2. All rope climbers will be required to fill out an Acknowledgement of Risk waiver. Each time a user visits the wall, they are required to check in at the desk to be logged into the database.
  3. All rope climbers must present a photo ID to gain access to the climbing wall during rope climbing hours.
  4. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to boulder or climb on the wall. Participants, age 16 and older, who take our belay class will be given “Probationary Belayer” status for 2 months. Probationary belayers must then take and pass our belay test. Belay tests may not be given on the same day that the patron.
  5. Climbers must pass a belay proficiency test to belay other climbers. Once this is accomplished, the individual will become a WVU Climbing Wall “Belayer” and this status will be added to the computer database.
  6. Anyone climbing above the bouldering line must wear a harness, be attached to a rope and belayed through the provided gri-gri. All climbers must use provided ropes, belay devices, carabiners and other hardware, but may use their own harness and helmet. Shoes must be worn at all times while climbing.
  7. Roped climbers must stay “on route” (ask wall staff to define the proper areas) while climbing due to the dangerous swing factor caused by climbing “off route”.
  8. Belayers must belay from their harness, not from the floor anchor. Belayers are required to use floor anchors unless they are belaying small children.
  9. Helmets are required for all users by default, though users may sign an additional waiver. Users who sign this additional waiver may choose whether or not to wear a helmet.
  10. All accidents and equipment damage must be reported to wall staff immediately.
  11. Inform other climbers of any situation seen as unsafe or not in accordance with the Safety Policies. All climbers are asked to assist and encourage other climbers.
  12. Participants found to be climbing or belaying in an unsafe manner will first be counseled about appropriate techniques or procedures. If continued abuse occurs, participants will be asked to retake the safety and skills test. If inappropriate climbing techniques persist, privileges will be suspended or revoked. Any infraction of any policy can result in immediate suspension of climbing wall privileges.