Climbing Wall
Wall Hours
The Chatham College Athletic and Fitness Center (AFC), opened in Fall 2004, is equipped with a climbing wall, located on the ground level. The wall allows for a 25 ft climb and accommodates 5 climbers at one time. The Chatham wall is manufactured by Entre Prises USA, the most advanced R&D department of any climbing wall company.
All climbers must complete the Chatham College certification clinic in order to climb. Climbing wall hours vary but are posted on the Athletics website as well as outside the climbing wall. For any further information, please contact Ron Giles.
Policies and Procedures
- The Chatham College Climbing Wall is available for use by current students, faculty, staff, UPMC Nursing Students and, during appropriate hours, guests. There is no charge for recreational use of the wall. Climbers may only climb during open hours.
- The current hours for recreational climbing are listed on the Chatham Athletic webpage and are posted outside the Climbing Wall and may change subject to usage patterns and staff availability.
- In order to belay, wall users must complete Chatham College’s belay certification clinic. The certification clinic teaches belay skills, outlines policies and procedures for use of the facility and introduces some climbing skill information. Participants need to successfully complete a practical test for future use of the Climbing Wall. The test will be kept on file for one year at which time each certified user will need to complete a re-certification test for use the subsequent year.
- Only those certified may belay. Belayers and climbers must follow ALL procedures covered in the certification session or privileges may be revoked by the staff.
- All climbers must wear shirt and proper shoes while climbing. Climbing shoes, athletic shoes, water shoes and tennis shoes only on the wall-no bare feet or open toed shoes. Chatham College has shoes available for use on the climbing wall.
- No food is allowed in the Climbing Wall area. Only drinks in closed containers are allowed.
- Personal equipment is not allowed in the climbing wall area except for shoes, harnesses, and chalk bags. All equipment is subject to inspection by any on-duty staff or instructor and may be refused if found unsafe. Chatham College makes available the following equipment: harnesses, helmets, ropes and all hardware. Participants must use Chatham hardware—only ATCs may be used to belay—no GriGri’s. Helmets are recommended but not mandatory. Participants may choose to assume the risks associated with not wearing a helmet and have stated that this is understood with a signature on the waiver form.
- Only a figure eight follow through knot is to be used to tie into the belay loop.
- Proper verbal commands are: Climber: “On Belay?” Belayer: “Belay On”, Climber: “Climbing?” Belayer: “Climb On”. To decend,: Climber: “Decend” Belayer: “Decending” After climb is completed: Climber: “Off Belay” Belayer: “Belay Off”. If a climber says “Take” this means to take out slack, not to lower them. Give the climber acknowledgement that you have taken out all slack and they may rest.
- All problems (loose holds, rope problems, accidents, etc.) should be reported to the Climbing Wall staff.
- All shirts should be tucked into harnesses. Long hair should be tied back. No necklaces, bracelets, or other jewelry that may get caught on the wall or in the belay devices may be worn.
- Climbers should not make contact with the ceiling or the bolt hangers and hardware at the top of the climb.
- It is expected that all policies and procedures be followed by participants to include proper commands, not stepping on the belay ropes, fair and civil conduct and all general use policies for the AFC.
- Control all descents – do not lower climbers quickly.
- Belayers who weigh less than the climber should ask for a human anchor.
- ALL climbers must respect gear, ropes, and other climbers at all times. NO gear belonging to Chatham College should leave the climbing wall room.
- Never step on the rope, it is your only life-line! Stepping on the rope embeds dirt and debris in the sheath which can cause the sheath to wear out more quickly, degrading the quality of the rope.
- When not in use, all ropes should be daisy-chained to avoid contact with the floor.
- Once you have completed the clinic and are certified to climb, should you break any climbing policy or rule, you may lose your Wall privileges.
- Any questions, complaints, suggestions, etc. can be shared with the climbing wall staff or e-mailed to Ron Giles.
- HAVE FUN!!!
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