Welcome to Crags Climbing Center! We proudly offer a comprehensive range of climbing classes suitable for all experience levels, from complete novices to intermediate climbers looking to upskill.
Level: Never Ever
Basic Climbing // All quarters
Basic Climbing // All quarters
Experience Level: Never Ever
This beginner-friendly class covers the basic skills of climbing for an affordable price. You will work with an instructor for two 2-hour sessions on the skills listed below. This class provides all the essential knowledge to start climbing on the right foot (pun intended)!
Work with instructors to learn:
- Overview of climbing equipment
- Climbing knots
- Belay technique (using the climbing rope)
- Roped climbing tips and techniques
Logistics:
Cost includes all necessary climbing equipment and the belay exam (may be taken at the end of the course or afterward).
Prerequisites: None
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Basic Q Climbing // All Quarters
Basic [Q] Climbing // All Quarters
Experience Level: Never Ever
This course is a collaboration with the Q-Center and consists of all the basic climbing knowledge you know and love, but geared toward those that identify as Queer! Students will learn the basics of roped climbing, including how to belay and some tips and tricks on climbing movement and technique. There is special emphasis on our language regarding gendered body parts and movement descriptions, continuing our mission to make climbing courses as inclusive, body-affirming, and non-assumptive as possible. This class will be instructed by a skilled climbing instructor who identifies as Queer.
Logistics:
Cost includes all necessary climbing equipment and the belay exam (may be taken at the end of the course or afterward).
Prerequisites: None
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Level: Beginner
Belay Techniques // All quarters
Belay Techniques // All quarters
Experience Level: Beginner
This is an abbreviated version of our popular Basic Climbing class. In this single class, we cover the most modern belay techniques, how to tie into a climbing rope, and how to fit climbing equipment properly. This course will prepare you for the belay skills exam and is perfect for the time-crunched person or those who need a quick refresher.
Work with instructors to learn:
- Overview of climbing equipment
- Climbing knots
- Belay technique (using the climbing rope)
Logistics:
Cost includes all necessary climbing equipment and the belay exam (may be taken at the end of the course or afterward).
Prerequisites:
This course is not recommended for those with no previous climbing experience (experience with bouldering is good!).
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Real Rock Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Real Rock Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Experience Level: All
Take your climbing outside! This outing is all about getting outdoors to go climbing and is open to all climbers. It is a great introduction to climbing outside, leading outside for the first time, or is just a great way to get out of the city for some real rock. We will leave from campus and head to a local crag within a 90-minute drive. Two experienced instructors will set up the site, and then we will climb!
Logistics:
All equipment needed for climbing and transportation from UW to the local outdoor site is included in the cost of the trip. Participants must provide their own food (lunch and snacks). In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled outside portion of this class may be canceled, and students will receive a partial refund.
Prerequisites: None
Location: Meet at the UWild Gear Garage @ the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
Level: Intermediate
Intro to Sport Climbing // All Quarters
Intro to Sport Climbing // All Quarters
Experience Level: Intermediate
Our Intro to Sport Climbing course covers the essential skills necessary to lead climb in the gym and sport climb outside! This course meets for a total of 7.5 hours over three sessions.
Work with instructors to learn:
- Clipping techniques and how to avoid mistakes
- Real experience leads to falling (with style!) in a safe and controlled environment
- Lead belaying
- Practice mock lead climbing
- Various bolted anchor-building methods
- Supplementing bolted anchors with natural protection (trees/boulders/pinches)
- How to use common various sport anchor styles
- Bolt inspection and red flags
- Lowering through open and closed fixed anchors
- Rappelling
- Leave No Trace Ethics specific to the climbing environment
- Real practice building and lowering off sports anchors in a gym environment
Logistics:
The cost covers all necessary equipment for sport climbing and the belay exam (which may be taken at the end of the course or afterward). However, it is strongly suggested that participants own a harness for this class.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS TOP ROPE BELAY PASS AND THE ABILITY TO CLIMB 5.8 COMFORTABLY.
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Trad is Rad // Fall / Spring / Summer
Trad is Rad // Fall / Spring / Summer
Experience Level: Intermediate
Move beyond bolts and start placing your own gear! This class will help the sport climber expand their skills to begin placing traditional protection and building gear anchors. We will begin with several class periods of instruction in our indoor practice wall before taking what we have learned outside for two days (weather dependent). Based on student progression, there may be an opportunity to mock lead on traditional gear during the outdoor portion of the class.
Work with instructors to learn:
- Advanced knots
- Anchor building (bolt, natural, gear)
- Traditional protection (active & passive)
- Placing protection
- Assessing placements
Logistics:
All climbing equipment required for the class is included in the class cost and transportation from UW to the climbing site. However, students are encouraged to bring their own climbing gear if possible (shoes, harness, helmet). If the outdoor portion requires overnight camping, any equipment needed can be rented from the UWild Adventures Gear Garage. Car camping kitchen equipment would be provided; however, students must provide their own food for the outdoor portion of this class. In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled outside portion of this class may be canceled, and students will receive a partial refund.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS LEAD BELAY PASS AND THE ABILITY TO CLIMB 5.8 COMFORTABLY.
Location: Crags Climbing Center and a local crag (location TBD)
Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Experience Level: Intermediate
Climbing multiple rope lengths off the ground, ascending with a trusted partner, and watching a beautiful sunset while rappelling back down to the base is the stuff made of climbing dreams! However, multi-pitch climbing for the first time can also involve logistical and organizational nightmares! Learn the best practices and techniques to climb efficiently and safely high in the mountains! On the final day, you get to actually multi-pitch climb outside with skilled UWild Climbing Instructors!
Work with instructors to learn:
- Essential knots
- Belaying from above
- Sport multi-pitch anchors
- Belay transitions
- Rappelling strategies
Logistics:
All climbing equipment required for the class is included in the cost of the class and transportation from UW to the climbing site. However, students are encouraged to bring their own climbing gear if possible (shoes, harness, helmet). In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled outside portion of this class may be canceled, and students will receive a partial refund.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS LEAD BELAY PASS AND THE ABILITY TO LEAD UP TO 5.9 COMFORTABLY. Experience with climbing outdoors, especially sport climbing, is strongly recommended.
Location: Crags Climbing Center and a local crag (location TBD)
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue // Spring Only
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue // Spring Only
Experience Level: Intermediate
Navigating and camping on glaciated terrain can allow climbers to enjoy the alpine world from the local Cascade volcanoes to greater ranges around the world! This class will start from the basics, covering all of the essential clothing and technical gear needed to start on the right foot. We will cover rope ascension techniques, crevasse travel, and modern crevasse rescue systems. This class will also cover winter / glacial camping and include putting these techniques into practice at a local mountain. We will put all our skills to practice in this alpine terrain. Note – this class does not involve travel in actual glaciated terrain.
Logistics:
All climbing equipment required for the class and transportation from UW to the local outdoor site is included in the cost of the class. Students must provide their own food for the outdoor portion of this class. Any non-climbing equipment needed for the outdoor portion can be rented from the UWild Adventures Gear Garage. In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled outside portion of this class may be canceled, and students will receive a partial refund.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS TOP ROPE BELAY PASS. Some experience with backpacking and travel in winter environments is recommended.
Location: Crags Climbing Center and a local mountain (location TBD)
Real Rock Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Real Rock Climbing // Fall / Spring / Summer
Experience Level: All
Take your climbing outside! This outing is all about getting outdoors to go climbing and is open to all climbers. It is a great introduction to climbing outside, leading outside for the first time, or is just a great way to get out of the city for some real rock. We will leave from campus and head to a local crag within a 90-minute drive. Two experienced instructors will set up the site, and then we will climb!
Logistics:
All equipment needed for climbing and transportation from UW to the local outdoor site is included in the cost of the trip. Participants must provide their own food (lunch and snacks). In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled outside portion of this class may be canceled, and students will receive a partial refund.
Prerequisites: None
Location: Meet at the UWild Gear Garage @ the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
Financial Assistance
If you want to participate and have a financial need, consider applying to the Student Recreation Fund. Through the support of the Student Recreation Fund, UW Recreation provides awards each quarter to assist students in accessing our programming. You may receive funding to cover up to 80% of the cost (max $100 per quarter). These awards can be applied to any of our UWild Climbing classes or trips, which can fill up, so apply early. Learn more about the Student Recreation Fund here or send in your application! [Add the “Apply Now!” button]
Questions About Accessibility?
UW Recreation’s programs, operations, and facilities are intended to be inclusive and accessible. If at any time, you have a need or concern please contact us, we encourage everyone to participate in our department offerings. For accommodation requests connected to a disability or health condition, contact us at (206) 543-4590 or at recinfo@uw.edu. Requests can be responded to most effectively if received as far in advance as possible, preferably at least 10 business days.
Request with Disability Services Office
Request Disability Resources for Employees:
- hr.uw.edu/dso
- dso@uw.edu
- (206) 543-6450 (Voice)
- (206) 543-6452 (TTY)
- (206) 685-7264 (FAX)
- (253) 642-0142 (VP)
Request with Disability Resources for Students
Request Disability Resources for Students:
- uwdrs.uw.edu
- uwdrs@uw.edu
- (206) 543-8924 (Voice & Relay)
- (206) 616-8379 (FAX)
Insurance
UW Recreation does not provide accident or medical coverage for participants. It is recommended that participants obtain their own personal coverage. Students may obtain additional information on student accident/sickness insurance by contacting Insurance & Cost | Husky Health & Well-Being (uw.edu)
Questions About Refunds?
For questions about a program or membership refunds, check the Registration page or contact recinfo@uw.edu.