Radford University
Climbing Wall
The Radford University climbing wall is located in Peters Hall. This fully featured Nicros ART wall stands 21 feet high and boasts 8 top rope anchors. The entirety of the structure may be climbed without the use of artificial holds with the hardest natural route being graded around 5.11b on the Yosemite Decimal System. The crack system spanning the center of the wall is a popular challenge for many students.
Visiting the Climbing Wall
Radford University students are able to use the climbing wall and climbing wall equipment at no charge during its normal hours of opperation, Monday - Thursday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. For all others, the first visit to the climbing wall is free and all subsequent visits will require the purchase of a non-student pass. For more information or to obtain a staff/faculty or non-member pass, please visit the Outdoor Program Rental Center or purchase them by clicking on the "Guest Passes" icon from our online payment portal.
All equipment rentals (shoes, harness, belay device) are free with membership.
Never climbed before?
That’s ok, our friendly staff love to teach climbing technique and movement. Additionally, we offer free belay clinics weekly. Just ask a climbing wall monitor for details. You can also check out some of the advanced climbing courses and certification programs on the Trip Schedule. We offer belay instruction courses, introduction to lead climbing classes, Climbing Wall Instructor courses, and gym to crag classes.
Learning to Belay
Every climber who wishes to belay at the climbing wall, must pass a practical skills test. This test allows the climbing wall monitors to evaluate your belaying competencies. If you know how to belay, ask a climbing wall monitor to evaluate your skills and issue you a belay card. If you have never belayed before, and would like to learn how, please ask a climbign wall monitor when the next class will be held or stop by the Outdoor Programs office. Each belay clinic is taught by a certified American Mountain Guides Association Climbing Wall Instructor. Some of our belay classes will provide you with a Universal Belay Card through the American Alpine Club.
Each person who belays at the climbing wall is required to hold a current belay card. A belay skills evaluation will be performed each year to ensure belayers maintain the integrity of his or her technique.