Climbing
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Reach New Heights
Welcome to the Rock Climbing Wall at The WELL. All members can climb at the WELL, regardless of experience. We have qualified staff to help assist you, and routes ranging from beginner to advanced. Routes typically change every 2 months. Climbing shoes and harnesses are provided. We also sell chalk at the Equipment Desk for an affordable rate. Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. Come visit one of our staff or see the orientation video below to get started!
Bouldering is allowed during all WELL hours. The Safety Orientation below is required before the first time you climb.
Top Rope Hours**
- Monday-Friday: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
- Family Climb: Saturdays from 10:00 am-3:00 pm
- On Oct 18th, Nov 15th - Family Climb will be from 10am-2pm
**Hours subject to change due to holidays and adjusted facility hours.
Climbing Safety Orientation
Members are required to complete a safety orientation before their first time climbing at The WELL. This safety orientation serves as your all-access pass to bouldering in our facility. After completing it, you are free to rent shoes and boulder in our gym any time that the WELL is open. The orientation also allows you to participate in top rope climbing with our staff during staffed top rope hours. You must earn a score of 100% on the Orientation Quiz below after watching our video! You are welcome to take the test as many times as you need to or see a Climbing Wall Attendant to complete an orientation in-person.
Hornet Hill
Hornet Hill is our introductory route at The Wall. This route is great for beginner climbers! Participants will climb to the top of the wall, and place a ping pong ball with their name into Herky's nest. Then, the ball will roll all they way down into our case of students who have conquered the hill. At the end of each semester, we draw a winner of a great giveaway. Climbers can simply stop by the wall during Top Rope hours to climb Hornet Hill. Hornet Hill is great for First Year Experience classes and team building as well! E-mail climbing@unionwellinc.org to schedule your group today.
Completing Hornet Hill during the semester will give participants the possibility to win great prizes!
Climbing Clinics & Workshops
Climbing at The WELL is included in your membership at no additional charge. If you want to take your skills to the next level, these affordable skills workshops are for you! Climbing clinics and workshops include:
Intro to Climbing - Participants will go through a safety orientation, learn some basic movement, and receive 1 on 1 instructor belays or coaching for this class.
Anchor Building - Learn the fundamentals of building secure and efficient anchors to suit a variety of situations. Skills and concepts we will go over include: Building and cleaning top rope anchors, Self-equalizing vs pre-equalized, Cord vs nylon vs dyneema, Etiquette of using fixed anchors, Incorporating your surroundings. In order to take this course you need to have either taken a lead class at The Well or have a lead belay certification at The Well.
Top Rope Belay Clinic - We'll cover the fundamentals of top-rope climbing and belaying in our facility.
Lead Climbing & Belay Clinic - Learn the fundamentals of lead climbing and belaying. Students will work through clipping, falling, catching falls , and everything in between (MUST be top rope certified at the WELL).
Bouldering 101 Skills Clinic - Learn more advanced bouldering techniques and training programs. We will go over different techniques and put them into practice each session.
Gym to Crag - Learn the skills and knowledge necessary to take your climbing outdoors. (MUST be lead certified or have taken at least one lead clinic prior). Dates TBA
Register for Climbing Clinic's & Workshops
Social Events and Challenges
Join us for FREE social events presented by The WELL's Climbing team! Enjoy competitive activities, and exciting challenges, and connect with a supportive community.
Gym Rope Climb: Participate in our semesterly event where we compete and see which Hornet can climb up a 41-foot gym rope the fastest!
Crate Stacking: Climb a tower of milk crates as you build it one crate at a time and compete to see who can build the highest before it all comes tumbling down!
Movie Night: TBA
Special Events
Throughout the year, The WELL hosts several competitions and events at the climbing wall. Whether you are a beginner or experienced climber we have an event for you.
The Go Bould'er Go Home bouldering competition is an annual Fall competition! All skill levels are encouraged to sign up. In addition to podium prizes, we're giving away some awesome opportunity drawing giveaways, plus a day of awesome climbing and friendly competition.
Mile High Climb
Climb 1 vertical mile at The WELL in February to earn the Mile High shirt and other prizes!
Level Up
Join us for this bouldering competition each Spring. All abilities are encouraged! Prizes will be awarded to winners and giveaways for participants.
Family Climbing
Family Climb is an opportunity for both WELL members and CSUS One Card holders to bring family and children to try rock climbing! Due to our climbing and harness equipment, children must be 25 lbs or more. Family Climb is held every Saturday excluding special events and holidays. Harnesses are provided. Family Climb is not open to community members. Maximum of 4 family members per WELL member or One Cardholder.
Family Climb is Saturday from 10am-3pm
WELL Members
- Adult: Free
- Children: $5 per child, up to four children per adult
One Card Holders
- Adult: $5
- Children: $10 per child, up to four children per adult