Climbing Center FAQ

Yes, you can! The U of I Climbing Center is open to the public, in addition to U of I students.

View Climbing Center hours.

You are not required to wear a helmet, but helmets are available to rent for free at the Climbing Center.

You do not have to wear specific climbing shoes, but non-marking athletic shoes are recommended if you are not using climbing shoes. Close-toed shoes are required at all times.

Open chalk is not allowed in order to maintain the HVAC system and cleaning requirements in the facility.

A waiver is signed each time a new pass is purchased. This includes single visits, 1-month, 4-month and 1-year passes.

Yes, check out our schedule to see upcoming clinics.

Yes, everyone must pass a basics clinic (even if you are just bouldering). The basics clinic consists of learning how to tie the figure 8 follow through knot, belay using a manual braking belay device and cover proper communications between climbers and belayers. Prices are $10 for UI students and $15 for non-U of I participants.

Basics Clinics are offered 6-8 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the academic year.

Check out all the clinic times.

Typically, clinics are around 45 minutes with another 45 minutes of practice and testing time.

Our clinics fit up to 12 people.

Only during Summer Open Hours, during the school year clinics are only held during the scheduled times.

If the climbing center is not busy (discretion of the front desk staff), then they can teach the clinic.

No, the climbing center staff can run through a check off on the skills and mark you off in our system for free.

No, if your friend wants to lead climb, they must take the Intro to lead climbing clinic. $10 for Students, and $15 for non-U of I students. These are generally held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month during the academic year.

Yes! We also offer intro to aerial arts clinics, anchor building, sport climbing basics and others. Check the climbing center schedule for rotating clinics.

View the youth climbing hours.

We try to accommodate the overall University of Idaho climbing community and have set aside hours for each group in a balanced offering of times.

No, they cannot. Friends are not recognized as legal guardians.

Everyone coming into the climbing center needs to go through our facility orientation (video and safety checklist), but only parents are required to take the basics clinic. Children 14 years old and older may also take the basics clinic.

No. Parents or guardians must always be with youth climbers.

We teach basics clinics during open youth hours.

We have children as young as 3 years old climb. We do provide a limited number of full body harnesses.

You must be at least 14 years old to belay.

We do not have a minimum height. Minimum weight is 40lbs for climbers using our auto-belays.

Yes you can! Please fill out our Group Reservation Request Form, and we’ll get back to you about setting up the time.

It is $150 base price, and you can bring up to 15 people. Over 15 people it is an additional $10 per person.

During climbing center youth open hours, groups larger than 12 people will be turned away without a reservation due to additional staffing needs.

Yes! We have shoes, harnesses, belay devices and safety equipment available.

Harness & Belay Device | $4.

Shoes | $4.

Whatever is comfortable and does not have offensive slogans, images or content. Shirts must be always worn.

No. Screaming and swearing are not tolerated in the climbing center.