Climbing Wall & Bouldering Grotto

• Review and sign our informed consent and release form.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Jeans and cutoff jeans are not recommended.  Shirts are required.
• Jewelry; especially rings and watches, should be removed before climbing. Long hair should be tied back.
• Bring water in a plastic, re-sealable container to drink. 
• Ask for assistance when needed. Our trained climbing wall staff is happy to help.

There are several routes participants can take to become belay certified at the Climbing Wall.
 
1. If you've been belay certified before or have previous experience, you can take a belay test during our open hours with a climbing wall supervisor. If you pass, you will be belay certified. If you fail, you will be required to take a Climb Safe Clinic before you retake the belay test.

2. If you've never belayed before or need a refresher on our system, you can take our Climb Safe Clinic. The two-hour Climb Safe Clinic is free and will give you the knowledge and experience to successfully pass the climbing wall's belay test. After taking the Climb Safe Clinic, you must successfully pass our belay test three times to become certified to belay at the RecWell Climbing Wall. Sign up by going to activeterp.umd.edu. We will offer Climb Safe Clinics during the fall and spring semesters Monday through Thursday from 6pm to 8pm.

A note about Climb Safe Clinics: Please arrive at the Climbing Wall and check in no later than 5 minutes before the clinic start time. You will need to have completed a waiver online at go.umd.edu/wallwaiver. In the event of inclement weather, please keep an eye on the UMD Adventure Page where we will make any climbing wall closure notices. If the climbing wall is closed then the clinic is canceled. Finally, if for whatever reason you can no longer attend, please cancel your sign-up and email Corrie Fenn at cfenn@umd.edu.

Belay certifications are good at our climbing wall for a year. After a year, you will be required to recertify by taking our belay test. 

We are hosting multiple Special Events this semester. Check them out below:

Affinity Spaces  

At the RecWell Adventure Program, we acknowledge that historically the outdoors and outdoor recreation have been a space dominated by white, able-bodied, heterosexual, cisgender, upper-class men. Our program is committed to making the outdoors more accessible for groups that have been previously disenfranchised. 

To foster a community for underrepresented groups, we are hosting affinity spaces at the climbing wall throughout the Spring semester. Affinity spaces can be a place for underrepresented people in a community to come together to feel more connected. 

Women's Affinity Climb

Friday, March 29th from 4 PM to 6 PM

LGBTQ+ Affinity Climb 

Saturday, March 30th from 4 PM to 6 PM 

POC (People of Color) Affinity Climb 

Friday, April 5th from 4 PM to 6 PM 

APIDA Affinity Climb 

Sunday, April 14th from 2 PM to 4 PM 

This Affinity Climb will be a space for people who identify as APIDA to come together to connect while being active in the outdoors. This is a new climber-friendly environment with experienced RecWell Adventure Program staff on hand to help. No equipment or registration is needed. We hope to see you there! 

SWANA Affinity Climb 

Sunday, April 21st from 2 PM to 4 PM 

Earth Day Climb and Clean 

Monday, April 22nd from 4 PM to 6 PM 

Maryland Day 

Saturday, April 27th from 10 AM to 1 PM 

ERC Climbing Wall & Challenge Course 

Reach new heights with one of three adventurous options in the Eppley Recreation Center's backyard. Try your hand at the climbing wall, alpine tower, or high ropes course. Never climbed before? Don't worry. This is a new climber-friendly environment with experienced RecWell Adventure Program staff on hand to help. Participants must be at least 48 inches tall. Gates close at 1 p.m. 

The climbing wall is available to reserve for up to two hours outside of climbing wall hours of operation. To make a reservation, complete the climbing wall request form at least three weeks in advance of your desired date.
 

Once a reservation is confirmed, you will be emailed a rental contract. The rental contract must be signed and returned (along with a 50% deposit if a non-UMD group) by the date indicated on the rental contract.

Cancellation policy: Programs must be canceled no less than seven business days before the event date. A service charge of $50 will be assessed for cancellations. 

• All climbers must check-in at the Adventure Program desk with a university ID or RecWell membership card and have a signed informed consent release form on file.
• All climbers must be belayed by an Adventure Program certified belayer, unless following the bouldering rules.
• While bouldering, at least one foot must stay below your hands at all times. No topping out on the grotto and no climbing above or below other climbers while bouldering on the wall or grotto.
• You may not be in the climbing area if you have received any medical treatment or are using any medication that could impair your alertness or coordination.
• Adventure Program certified belayers may use Adventure Program belay devices. No Grigri’s or other personal belay devices may be used.
• All climbers must wear shoes that cover their entire foot while climbing. No Crocs.
• All patrons must wear a shirt while in the fenced area of the Climbing Wall.
• Harnesses, helmets, and shoes are all available to borrow for free. 
• Climbers and belayers must have any personal equipment checked by staff. Equipment deemed unsafe will not be permitted.
• All equipment must be used according to manufacturer recommendations.
• All belayers must be anchored tight to the belay stations while belaying.
• No sitting on the ground while belaying at any time.
• Patrons may not teach belaying to others, regardless of their comfort or skill level.
• You must be a current RecWell member over 18 years old to take a belay test or become belay certified.
• Behaviors deemed unsafe by the Climbing Wall Staff will not be allowed and can result in being asked to leave the premises.
• All injuries must be reported to the Climbing Wall Staff.  
• RecWell is not responsible for the personal belongings of patrons. Lockers are available in the ERC.

 Smoking, tobacco, gum, alcohol, and drug use is prohibited.

• No one will be permitted to enter the facility if deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Animals are not allowed (except service animals).
• This is a family-friendly facility; respectful language and behavior is expected from everyone.
• Report damage or equipment misuse to the Climbing Wall Staff.
• In an emergency, climbers must immediately follow the instructions of the Climbing Wall Staff to clear the area as directed.

Violations of these rules and regulations may result in suspension of all recreation privileges or administrative and/or judicial sanction. University Recreation & Wellness (RecWell) facility privileges may be permanently revoked for serious or repeated violations.