Climbing and Bouldering
See the Facility Hours page for changes in Wall hours throughout the spring semester.
The climbing area in the Cary Street Gym is managed by the Outdoor Adventure Program. It features a 35-foot climbing wall with six top rope and one lead climbing routes. This area also features one freestanding and 18-foot bouldering section. There is no additional cost to members or guests to use the climbing area.
Rec Sports members and their guests can climb with the supervision and belay by the Climbing Wall staff. All necessary climbing wall equipment is available and free to use. Guest may bring their own UIAA approved climbing equipment, but OAP WallAttendants reserve the right to restrict the use of any personal gear within the facility if they feel equipment or operator error may be evident. The Rec Sports climbing wall is a chalk free area. However, liquid chalk is allowed.
The Bouldering Wall is available for use when Cary Street Gym is open. Roped climbing is only permitted during climbing wall hours.
The Outdoor Adventure Program offers a variety of clinics that cater to climbers of varying skill levels. For more information or to register for a clinic, click here
Clinic Registration
The OAP Climbing Wall is proud to offer clinics to increase the knowledge and skill of climbers of all levels - beginner through advanced, through our weekly climbing clinics. For beginners, take our Belay Clinic, and learn about Slacklining and Climbing Technique. As you gain more skills, look into our Sport and Trad Climbing clinics, as well as Rappelling and Training for climbing. Clinics change every semester.
- Belay Clinics are free and held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Register for your spot.
- All other clinics are $1. Participants must register through the MyRecSports Portal.
- Outdoor Sport Clinics and Manchester Clinics are $5. Participants must register through the MyRecSports Portal.
Learn to Belay
Come learn one of the essential skills of climbing. Belaying is the technique of "holding one fast" or keeping climbers safely on the wall using ropes, harnesses, and climbing friction devices. Belay Clinics are offered every weekday at 7:00 p.m. depending on wall usage and instructor availability. Please be sure to register at the climbing wall desk before 7:00 p.m.
Questions? Email Sam Albert: scalbert@vcu.edu
Summer 2018 Clinics
Manchester Outdoor Climbing Clinic
Cost: $5.00
Date: May 30 Time: 12:46 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Outing Rental Center, 130 South Linden Street
Register for the Manchester Outdoor Climbing Clinic
$5 Tuesday Manchester Climbing
Cost: $5.00
Dates: Tuesdays through August 7
Time: 3:00 -6:00 p.m.
Register for Tuesday Manchester Climbs
Wednesday Indoor Climbing Clinics
Cost: $1.00
Dates: Wednesdays through August 8
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Topics rotate every week and include sport climbing, slacklining, movement & technique and drytooling/ice climbing.
Register for Wednesday Indoor Climbing Clinics