Climbing & Bouldering
Climbing Wall
Hours
| Fall & Spring | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. | |
| Friday | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | |
| Saturday | Closed | |
| Sunday | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | |
| Summer | ||
| Monday – Thursday | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | |
| Closings | ||
| November 19 – November 27 | ||
| December 9 – January 8 | ||
| March 11 – March 19 | ||
Climbing Wall Rules
- The climbing wall supervisor’s word is final.
- All belayers must hold a current belay certification through Southern Adventures and are required to check-in with a valid ID before hand.
- Non-marking, closed toed, athletic or climbing shoes only. No barefoot climbing.
- Secure loose jewelry/glasses and remove all objects from pockets before climbing.
- No food, drink, or gum/candy is allowed in the climbing wall area.
- All personal equipment must be approved by the climbing wall staff.
- Climbing helmets are recommended and are available upon request.
- Un-roped climbing in the climbing wall area outside of regular hours is prohibited.
- Please be courteous and respectful to other participants.
- Climb safely and have fun!
Top Rope Climbing
Top-rope climbing is climbing that is done utilizing a safety rope that is connected to an anchor point at the top of the climb. One end of the rope is attached to the climber, and then runs up to the top of the climb, through an anchor, and back down to a safety person (known as a belayer). As the climber climbs, the belayer will take up the slack in the rope. If the climber should slip, they will not fall to the ground as they are attached to the safety line and caught by the belayer. After reaching the highest point that they can, the climber is gently lowered safely back to the ground by the belayer.
Lead Climbing
Lead Climbing differs from Top-Rope Climbing in that the climber is clipping the rope into quickdraws as they ascend. These quickdraws act as the anchor that supports the climber if they fall. The major difference from top-roping, that defines sport climbing as a form of lead climbing is that the climber is climbing above their anchor. Sport Climbing also requires a different form of belaying, and an even more intimate knowledge of climbing technique.
Climbing Wall F.A.Q.
Q. I know how to belay, can I belay at the Georgia Southern University Climbing Wall?
A. You will need to pass our belay test before you are able to belay at the rock wall.
Q. How tall is the climbing wall?
A. The shorter wall is 35’ and the taller wall is 45’.
Q. Do you have to know how to climb to be able to use the wall?
A. Not at all. We have student employees available that are very passionate about climbing and teaching others how to climb. We welcome all climbing skill levels at the climbing wall.
Q. Is there specific attire I need to wear in order to use the climbing wall?
A. You must wear closed toe shoes at the wall. Rental climbing shoes are available at the equipment checkout desk. Athletic clothing is recommended and jewelry is not permitted.
Bouldering Cave
Bouldering is climbing at a level low enough to the ground as to reduce the chances of getting hurt in the event of a fall.
Climbers participating in bouldering are generally less concerned with how high they climb, and focus instead on the difficulty of the climbing moves they can accomplish. Bouldering is a great way to train specific technique and to develop real climbing strength. The bouldering cave is open concurrently with the RAC. Please see RAC hours for more information.
Bouldering Night Out
Bouldering Night Out (BNO) is a monthly event that Southern Adventures hosts at our bouldering cave the last Thursday of each month during the semester. Each BNO has a different theme and we strongly encourage individuals to dress to the theme (we usually have a best-dressed prize)! This event is open to all ranges of experience, whether you are an experienced climber or a first timer this event is fun for everyone. Prizes are raffled at each BNO, but you must be participating in the event to get the goods. No sign up is needed for BNO, just show up to participate anytime between 4-9pm the last Thursday each month for a great time at the bouldering cave.
Men’s or Women’s:
Beginner (V0-V2)
Intermediate (V3-V5)
Advanced (V6+)
Climbing Clinic Series
The Rock Climbing Clinic Series consists of free climbing programs geared to help prepare you for leading a safe, ethical, and enjoyable rock climbing trips. We highly recommend participation in other areas of the Outdoor Leadership program to supplement the climbing skills that can be utilized through this program. Register for these free clinics here (please note that you must be registered to attend the clinic). All Clinics will be held in the Southern Adventures Center at the Recreation Activities Center unless otherwise noted.
Basic Belay Clinic
This clinic is aimed to succinctly teach top rope belaying skills. These skills only certify you to belay at the RAC climbing wall, but will transfer also to outdoor climbing and other gyms. The clinic will cover all things you need to know in order to be certified in belaying at the RAC Climbing Wall. Participants will learn the Pull Brake Under Slide (PBUS) method of taking rope. Participants will also learn how to tie in using a figure 8 follow through. They will also learn basic safety for indoor rock climbing and how to perform partner checks, the belay contract and more.
Basic Climbing Movements & Techniques Clinic
To teach participants basic rock movement. Climb harder by climbing smarter. Waste less energy on climbing moves to reserve for later. Learn how to rest on long routes, and how to make your short individual moves more efficient. This is a basic climbing skills clinic so it is perfect for the person just getting into climbing who would like to improve and progress in grade by climbing more efficiently with better technique.
Gym to Crag Clinic
A clinic geared toward intermediate to advanced climbers that teaches participants how to transition their indoor climbing knowledge to the outdoors. In this clinic participants will learn the basic gear they will need to climb outside, the extra safety concerns under a cliff, and how to clean an anchor to retrieve their gear. If you have been climbing for a while and want to get outside but are not sure where to begin, take this clinic. Gain the skills, knowledge, and coincidence to climb outside.
Advanced Climbing Clinic
These clinics are designed to help you learn lead climbing and belay technique. Attendance to the clinic is required for anyone wishing to lead climb at the RAC. Participants must be currently belay certified (for at least 30 days) and be able to climb the 5.9 test out at the RAC wall cleanly.
Open High Challenge Course
These free programs are designed to give Georgia Southern students the ability to participate on a high challenge course without having to organize a group. There are several open high challenge courses during the semester. Pre-registration is highly recommended to ensure a spot on the course. Walk-up registration may be possible, but will not guarantee your enrollment. You can pre-register by stopping by the Southern Adventures Center during our open hours or by calling 912-478-7227.
Visit the Open Challenge Course Page for more information!
Last updated: 7/20/2022
