EOU Climbing Center

The EOU Climbing Center is located at the Fieldhouse off G. Ave., to the east of Community Stadium and to the south of the residence halls. Free parking is located in the Community Stadium parking lot to the west of the Fieldhouse off 6th Street and G. Ave. Parking is also available on the east side of the Fieldhouse.

The Climbing Center is open to community members, students, faculty, and staff. Climbing shoes and harness rentals are included in daily rates and 30-day, 90-day, and annual passes.

Prices are as follows:

Group Reservations

The climbing center is available for groups and individuals to rent for special events like birthday parties, school functions, etc. We offer a discount to school groups and other non-profit educational organizations. Climbing shoe and harness rental is included in the group pricing. Go to https://eououtdoor.youcanbook.me to make a group or private party reservation.

Private Groups < 10 persons = $100/hr

Private Groups > 10 persons = $125/hr

School or Non-profit Groups = $75/hr

• All climbers must have a signed waiver on file. This waiver expires after one year.
• Climbers must receive safety check by OAP staff. 
• Belay certification required for any participant utilizing the top rope wall. 
• A belay certification card must be displayed on harness. 
• No lead climbing without certification. 
• Lead climbing certification card must be displayed on harness.
• All youth under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or authorized chaperone. 
• All youth under 16 must be belayed by certified adult. Kids under 16 cannot boulder over 6′ in height unless supervised by an experienced spotter. 
• Top outs are not allowed on the bouldering wall. 
• Auto belay orientation required prior to use. 
• Climbing shoes are required. No street shoes allowed on mats. 
• No swinging on the rope. 
• Food and drink in open containers are not allowed. 
• No loose chalk – only chalk balls or liquid chalk. 
• No ear buds or headphones on top rope wall or lead climbing pillar.

• All lead climbers and belayers must be approved to lead climb and belay by OAP climbing center staff and must wear a lead belay card on their harness while climbing or belaying.
• Leader climbers must use proper climbing and clipping techniques. These include but are not limited to: a) No back clipping. b) No rope behind your leg. c) No Z clipping. d) Leader must clip all quick draws and anchors on lead walls.
• Belayers must be always attentive while climber is “on belay”. Belayers must always be in a standing position and must not wear earbuds or headphones.
• Both anchor bolts must be clipped to top rope a lead route.
• Leader climbers must not take intentional lead falls and are not allowed to hang their own quickdraws.  
• Lead belayers must spot climbers until they have clipped the first bolt.
• Lead belayers must stay within 4’ of the wall for the duration of the first four clips, and within 8’ of the wall for the remainder of the climb.
• Lead climber must remain directly “on belay” at all times off the ground (no rappelling).
• Down leading is not allowed.
• Leader climbers must use an UIAA/CE approved rope when lead climbing.

• All climbers must receive an orientation from OAP staff prior to using the bouldering area.
• When in the bouldering area you must not be underneath another climber unless spotting.
• Youth under the age of 16 must be actively supervised by a parent/legal guardian or authorized chaperone.
• Youth under the age of 16 must not boulder higher than 6’ unless supervised by an experienced spotter.
• Topping out on the bouldering wall is prohibited.
• Down-climb whenever possible.
• Bouldering is not allowed in the top rope area.
• Be aware of the possible fall trajectory of other climbers.
• Refrain from walking under climbers or climbing over other people.
• Yield right of way to climbers already on the wall.
• Spotters are recommended when climbing 12’ or higher.
• No Loose chalk. Chalk balls or liquid chalk only.
• Please do not wear a harness or weight vest while bouldering.
• Remove everything from your pockets before bouldering.
• No water bottles, workout equipment, or other personal items are allowed in the bouldering area.

• Auto-belay users must get an orientation from OAP staff prior to climbing.
• Climbers using the auto-belays should follow the posted instructions for clipping in and out of the auto-belays.
• The auto-belays are only for climbers who weigh between 22lbs and 330lbs.
• Auto-belay climbers are only allowed to climb routes directly underneath the auto-belay and must not veer onto adjacent top rope routes.

• All drytoolers must receive an orientation by OAP staff prior to climbing.
• Both the drytooling belayer and climber must wear helmets and eye protection.
• Tethers are required. The tethers must be attached to the climber’s end of the rope via a small locking carabiner that will not slide below the tie in knot. Tethers must not be attached to the climber’s harness.
• Crampons are not allowed.

• No climber is allowed to top out on the bouldering wall or use the multi-pitch/rappel features on the wall without OAP staff authorization.
• The multi-pitch/rappel station features can only be utilized during the process of an official OAP sanctioned clinic or course supervised by an authorized OAP staff member.

The following supervision limits and guidelines for youth climbing will be strictly enforced:

• Youth under the age of 16 are only allowed in the climbing center during our top rope hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday: 4-9pm and Saturday: 11-7pm.
  • Exception given to youth participating in group reservations, clinics, and camps.
• Kids must be older than age 4 to climb.
• Kids under 16 are only allowed to climb accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or authorized adult chaperone.
• All participants under 18 must have a youth waiver on file signed by their parent or legal guardian. This waiver expires after one year.
• Youth under 16 must be actively supervised by a trained/experienced adult when in the bouldering area.

• Participants under 16 cannot belay and must always be accompanied by a belay certified adult when top rope climbing.
• Only two participants under 16 are allowed per certified adult.

Children under 8 must always be under direct supervision by a certified adult (within arm’s reach).

1. All roped climbers of 16 years of age or older MUST be belay certified and have a current OAP belay card.
2. Any participant belaying a climber MUST be belay certified.
3. Basic Climbing Clinics are offered weekly. Register here – Basic Climbing Clinic Registration
4. Belay certification exam can be taken during roped climbing hours, contingent on staff availability and at their discretion.
5. Conduct a safety check of belayer and climber prior to climbing.
   • Put on a climbing harness and buckle it properly.
   • Tie a figure-eight follow through knot onto the climbing harness in the proper location.
   • Feed the rope correctly through a belay device (ATC – tube device only) and attach the rope and belay device to the harness in the proper place.
6. Belay properly. The climber must take in rope and let out (i.e., lower) rope safely utilizing the PBUS technique. The brake hand must never leave the rope. If it does, this person does not know how to belay properly.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of basic climbing signals. The basic starting signals (on belay, belay on, climbing, climb on), the on-the-wall signals (up rope, slack), lowering signals (tension, lower me, lowering), and ending signals (off belay, belay off) must be known.
8. Lower a climber safely and in control.

1. Any participant climbing or belaying a lead climber MUST be belay and lead climbing certified & have OAP belay and lead climbing cards.
2. Lead Climbing Clinics are offered weekly. Register here – Lead Climbing Clinic
3. Lead climbing certification exam can be taken on Thursdays, from 7-8pm. Register here – Lead Climbing Certification Exam
4. Lead climbers MUST demonstrate 5.10 climbing grade proficiency.
5. Conduct a safety check of belayer and climber prior to climbing.
6. Understand and demonstrate an ability to pay out the correct amount of rope to climber.
7. Demonstrate an ability to arrest a lead fall.
8. Be able to lower a climber safely and in control.
9. Climber must be able to describe and avoid back clipping.

This two-hour clinic is required for anyone (age 16 or older) belaying a climber at our facility. This class teaches the basics of top rope climbing and belaying including safety checks, tying in with the figure-8 knot, and climbing commands (No experience necessary). Participants will be able to take the belay certification exam at the end of the clinic.

Basic Climbing Clinic: Mondays, 6-8pm

To register for a clinic visit – Basic Climbing Clinic Registration

$10 for students/employees

$15 for community members

Lead Climbing Clinic

This clinic consists of a two-hour session and teaches the basics of lead climbing and belaying. Participants will learn the skills necessary to lead indoor sport routes, properly belay lead climbers, and give you confidence to lead climb outdoors. (You must have already passed the belay test to take this clinic). Participants must be 16 or older.

Lead Climbing Clinic: Tuesdays, 6-8pm

To register for a clinic visit – Lead Climbing/Belay Clinic Registration

$20 for students/employees

$35 for community members

• Any climber older than 16 years of age who wants to belay at the OAP Climbing Center must be belay certified by OAP staff and carry a valid OAP belay card on their harness.
• Climbers can take the belay certification exam at any time during roped climbing hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday from 4-9pm. Saturdays, 11am-7pm.
• Belay exam certification is contingent on OAP staff availability and is at their discretion.
• If you fail the belay exam, then you will be required to take the basic climbing clinic if you want to belay at the climbing center.

Cost

• FREE for students/employees
• $5 for community members

• Any climber older than 16 years of age who wants to lead climb or belay a lead climber at the OAP Climbing Center must be certified by OAP staff and carry valid OAP belay and lead climbing certification cards on their harness.
• Climbers can take the lead climbing certification exam on Thursdays, from 7-8pm.
• Climbers who have not taken the lead climbing clinic will be evaluated by OAP staff for appropriate skill level and staff have discretion whether to provide test or to deny test.
• If you fail the lead climbing exam, then you will be required to take the lead climbing clinic if you want to lead climb or belay at the climbing center.
• Climbers can register for the lead climbing exam here: Lead Climbing Certification Registration

Cost

• $5 for students/employees
• $10 for community members