928-523-1733
Campusrecreation@nau.eduClimbing wall
Want to try out our climbing wall? It’s available for free to all NAU students, Campus Recreation members, and member guests during open climb hours. If you’re not a member, don’t worry. You can purchase a non-member pass at the front desk of the Recreation Center when accompanied by a member. If you’re interested in clinics, programs, or climbing competitions, non-members can join in without needing a sponsor. For more information on renting the climbing wall, reach out to Outdoor Adventures.
We encourage Northern Arizona University students and faculty/staff with all levels of climbing experience and ability to drop by the wall during open hours. Check in at the desk by the climbing wall, and our friendly staff will:
- give you a blank Liability Waiver to complete. Each individual who enters the climbing area must complete a form. Minors should provide a form signed by a parent or guardian
- provide you with a facility orientation
- assist you with check-out and teach you how to use climbing gear
Monday–Friday from 3–9 p.m.
Campus Recreation has several climbing events for students such as belay clinics, community-specific clinics, and other inclusive events to bring people to the climbing wall.
We provide climbers with harnesses, shoes, ropes, and belay devices (if you are certified to use them) free of charge. If you are borrowing shoes, please bring socks. They are required. You are welcome to use your own shoes, harnesses, belay devices, and chalk bags with chalk socks or liquid chalk only however, our staff have authority to deem gear inappropriate for use.
Safety is our priority at the climbing wall. All roped climbers must be belay certified through one of our belay clinics. We offer belay clinics often at Campus Recreation, so stay tuned for more information on our next clinic.
Our process is as follows:
- Join our exciting belay clinic (optional for experienced belayers). Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, learn the ropes with our belay clinic. If you’re already an experienced belayer, feel free to skip this step!
- Ace the belay test to show off your skills. Demonstrate your mastery of belaying techniques and equipment usage. We’ll be looking for proficiency in the PBUS belay method: Pull, Break, Under, Slide.
We ask all participants to use the PBUS belay method (Pull, Break, Under, Slide).
Belay cards help our staff easily identify individuals both new and experienced so they can more efficiently supervise and provide assistance to climbers at the wall. Our cards include:
- beginner belay card (expires after 6 weeks)
- competent belay card (expires after 1 year)
- lead card (expires after 6 months)
Climbing and bouldering rules
Climbing wall rules
Here are some important rules and regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
- Check in at the climbing wall desk before you start climbing.
- Belay certification from Outdoor Adventures is required to belay.
- Only bring climbing equipment and water bottles into the gym area.
- Always wear a shirt and shoes while on the premises.
- Climbing shoes are the only footwear allowed on the wall.
- Please avoid touching bolt hangers and quickdraws.
- If you have a medical condition such as a heart condition, injury, or epilepsy, it is important to consult your doctor before participating in this activity.
- For safety reasons, pregnant women are not allowed to climb.
- Individuals with uncontrolled conditions that cause loss of consciousness may not belay at our facility.
Bouldering rules
Here are some important rules and regulations specifically for bouldering:
- We highly recommend spotting and using crash pads while bouldering.
- Keep your hands below the bouldering line for the best climbing experience.
- Topping out on the bouldering cave is not permitted.
- Be considerate and yield wall space to roped climbers when necessary.