Welcome to Crags Climbing Center! We proudly offer a comprehensive range of climbing classes suitable for all experience levels, from novices to intermediate climbers looking to upskill.
Please note that our climbing classes are only open to UW students and other Rec Members. Information about the cost of and eligibility for Rec Membership to the IMA can be found here.
Level: Never Ever
Basic Climbing // All quarters
Basic Climbing // All quarters (2 days)
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
Q Basic Climbing // All Quarters
[Q] Basic Climbing // All Quarters (2 days)
Experience Level: Never Ever
This course is a collaboration with the UW Q Center community and is open to all. It covers the same material as our other Basic Climbing courses, including how to belay and some tips and tricks on climbing movement and technique. We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive space for the queer community as participants learn the basics of roped climbing while centering the queer student experience.
In this course, we include a special emphasis on our language regarding gendered body parts and movement descriptions. Through the development of this curriculum, we have taken steps forward for all our classes in our mission to make the courses as inclusive, body affirming, and non-assumptive as possible!
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
BIPOC Affinity Basic Climbing // All Quarters
BIPOC Affinity Basic Climbing // All Quarters (2 days)
Experience Level: Never Ever
This course is open to all and covers the same material as our other Basic Climbing courses, including how to belay and some tips and tricks on climbing movement and technique. We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive space for the Black, Indigenous, and POC (BIPOC) community as participants learn the basics of roped climbing while centering the BIPOC student experience.
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 (1 day)
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
Intro to Gym Leading // All quarters
Intro to Gym Leading // All quarters (2 days)
Experience Level: Beginner
This course covers the skills necessary to get started lead climbing in the gym, with a focus on leading technique and practice lead falls. Take your climbing skills to the next level as you gain the confidence and experience to both lead climb and belay. This course meets for a total of 4 hours over two climbing sessions.
Work with instructors to learn:
- Clipping quickdraws
- Lead belaying
- Practice mock leading
- Falling
Logistics:
Cost includes all necessary gym lead climbing equipment and the belay exam (may be taken at the end of the course or afterward). However, it is strongly suggested that participants bring their own harness for this class.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS TOP ROPE BELAY PASS AND THE ABILITY TO CLIMB 5.8 COMFORTABLY..
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Level: Intermediate
*NEW VERSION: Sport Climbing - Gym to Crag // All Quarters
*NEW VERSION: Sport Climbing – Gym to Crag // All Quarters (2 days)
Experience Level: Intermediate
*Class curriculum has been revised for classes starting Spring 2025, removing the lead climbing instruction and shortening the class to 2 days instead of 3.
This course covers the essential skills necessary for gym lead climbers to transition to sport climbing outside! This course meets for a total of 5 hours over 2 sessions.
Work with instructors to learn:
- Transitioning indoor gym leading skills to outdoor climbs
- Placing and cleaning quickdraws
- Various bolted anchor-building methods
- How to use common various sport anchor styles
- Bolt inspection tips 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. However, it is strongly suggested that participants own a harness for this class.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS LEAD PASS AND THE ABILITY TO LEAD CLIMB 5.8 IN A GYM COMFORTABLY.
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Trad is Rad // Spring / Summer
Trad is Rad // Spring / Summer (4 days)
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 a day (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 transportation from UW to the climbing site and climbing equipment required for the class is included in the cost of the class. However, students are encouraged to bring their own climbing gear if possible (shoes, harness, helmet). Students must provide their own food and snacks for the outdoor portion of this class. In the event the scheduled outside portion of this class is cancelled due to inclement weather or other conditions outside our control, 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)
Multi-Pitch Climbing // Spring / Summer
Multi-Pitch Climbing // Spring / Summer (4 days)
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 confidently 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 transportation from UW to the climbing site (TBD) and climbing equipment required for the class is included in the cost of the class. However, students are encouraged to bring their own climbing gear if possible (shoes, harness, helmet). Students must provide their own food for the outdoor portion of this class, including lunch and snacks. In the event the scheduled outside portion of this class is cancelled due to inclement weather or other conditions outside our control, 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)
Rope and Rescue // Fall / Winter
Rope and Rescue // Fall / Winter (4 days)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Climb long enough and you are likely to find yourself in a difficult situation. Your rope is stuck, your leader is injured, you are off-route. What do you do? In this class, we will go over the skills and resources necessary to improvise your way out of trouble. Note that this class is focused on intermediate self-rescue techniques and requires prior climbing experience in order to fully participate in the class!
Work with instructors to learn:
- Advanced knot tying
- Escaping the belay
- Ascending & descending the rope
- Setting up hauling systems
- Tandem rappels
- Counterbalance rappels
- Putting it all together in rescue scenarios
Logistics:
All climbing equipment required for the class is included in the cost of the class. However, students are encouraged to bring their own harness and personal climbing equipment for this class as it is best to practice with your own gear. The instructors will reach out prior to the start of the class to answer any questions about the class, including equipment.
Prerequisites:
CURRENT CRAGS LEAD BELAY PASS AND THE ABILITY TO LEAD UP TO 5.9 COMFORTABLY. Prior experience with multi-pitch climbing is strongly encouraged.
Location: Crags Climbing Center
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue // Winter / Spring Only
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue // Winter / Spring (4 days)
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. We will put all these techniques into practice in alpine terrain at a local mountain during the outdoor skills day. Note – this class does not involve travel in actual glaciated terrain.
Logistics:
All climbing equipment and transportation from UW to the outdoor location (TBD based on conditions) required for the class is included in the cost of the class. Students must provide their own food for the outdoor portion of this class, including lunch and snacks. In the event the scheduled outside portion of this class is cancelled due to inclement weather, significant avalanche risk, or other conditions outside our control, 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)
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.