Indoor Climbing

The Adventure program provides a wealth of indoor top rope climbing opportunities at the Student Fitness Center, with times available for open climbing and assisted climbing through staff belays. The opening of the Student Fitness Center in January of 2011 reaffirmed this by providing quality indoor rock climbing experiences and instruction to the ISU community with the 47 foot climbing wall in the center of the main lobby. The addition of the bouldering cave in February of 2014 added even more opportunities to climb.

Participants interested in belaying at the climbing wall must first pass a Belay Skills Assessment which may be administered any time during open climbing hours as staffing allows. Assessments must be renewed each academic year. For more information view our climbing area policies.

Workshop Calendar

Register for workshops online at the link below each description (Fall Links Coming Soon), at the Adventure Connection during open hours or at the Bob and Julie Dobski Welcome Center of the Student Fitness Center. Custom workshops can be scheduled by calling (309) 438-8417 or emailing Adventure@illinoisState.edu. The registration deadline is noon the day of the workshop.

Belay Workshop #1
Belay Workshop #2
Intro to Climbing Workshop
Belay Workshop #3
Lead Climbing Workshop
From Gym to Crag Workshop
Belay Workshop #4
Belay Workshop #5

Belay Workshops

Learning to belay is an important part of the climbing experience at the SFC Climbing Wall or outside on a natural cliff face.

These workshops teach participants about equipment, knots, climbing skills, belay technique, catching falls, and lowering climbers, with plenty of practice. Participants who have completed a workshop must then complete a free Belay Skills Assessment to belay independently at the climbing wall.

The cost of a belay workshop is $5 unless otherwise noted.

Fall Semester Dates

Registration begins August 21, 2017.

Sunday, August 27, 3 - 5 p.m. (FREE WORKSHOP)
Friday, September 1, 5 - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 13, 3 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, September 26, 6 - 8 p.m.
Monday, October 9, 2 - 4 p.m.

Introduction to Climbing Workshop

Intro Climbing

September 6, 8 - 10 p.m.
Register by September 6, $10 for students/members

Learn the fundamentals of climbing and build a solid foundation for entering the sport of indoor rock climbing. Never tried rock climbing, and don’t know where to start? In this workshop instructors work with participants to grow at their own pace. They will cover rope management, knots, equipment, climbing technique and skills, and ISU Climbing Wall Policies and Procedures. This workshop is an opportunity to try the sport of climbing with the guidance and supervision of our Climbing Wall Supervisors. Belay instruction is not part of this time; attend a Belay Workshop to learn this skill.

Lead Climbing Workshop

Inclusive Climbing

September 16, noon - 4 p.m.
Register by September 16, $15 for students/members

Lead Climb Workshops are 4-hour classes that teach the basics of lead or sport climbing in our indoor facility where bolts and anchors are fixed to the wall. We teach the basics of climbing and belaying on lead, including: Clipping into anchors, falling and catching falls, giving and taking slack. We then spend time during the workshop practicing those skills with an instructor. Upon completion of this workshop, participants may take a Lead Assessment to lead climb during open lead hours on Saturdays this fall.

From Gym to Crag Climbing Workshop

GymToCrag

September 22 and September 29, 5-7 p.m. & October 6-7 (trip)
Register by September 21, $50

Interested in climbing outdoors, but don't know where to start? Participate in this workshop to build your technical climbing skills over three weeks. Designed for the new or nervous climber, this workshop builds skills in the climbing gym over two sessions and then takes participants out to climb real outdoor rock crags.

The outdoor trip will take place at Pere Marquette State Park, a great site on the banks of the Illinois River and the closest outdoor climbing in central Illinois. We will depart no later than 5 p.m. on October 6, drive to the park, and tent camp for the night. We will spend all day Saturday climbing on the limestone bluffs, then head back to campus, returning by 9 p.m. Climbing equipment, camping equipment, leadership, instruction, and food while at the park is included.