Northern Arizona University

Who may use the climbing facility?

·          Anyone may rent the climbing wall for a private event.

Rules and Regulations:

 General

·          Always check-in at the climbing wall desk prior to using the facility.

·          NAU Outdoors Belay Certification is required to belay.

·          Only climbing equipment and water bottles are allowed in the gym area.

·          Shirt and shoes are required at all times.

·          Only soft sole, closed toe and climbing shoes are allowed on the wall.

·          Keep fingers out of bolt hangers and quick draws!

·          If you have a medical condition that may limit or effect your or others participation in this activity (heart conditions, injuries, epilepsy, or others) please consult your doctor to determine if this activity is right for you.

o    Women who are pregnant are not permitted to climb and individuals with an uncontrolled condition which causes loss of consciousness are not permitted to belay at this facility.

Bouldering Specific

·          Spotting and use of crash pads is highly recommended.

·          Keep hands below the bouldering line.

·          Topping-out on the bouldering cave is not permitted.

·          Yield wall space to roped climbers.

Private Rentals of the Climbing Wall

The climbing wall is a great place to take a group of people looking to have fun, experience something exciting, and explore the dynamics of their group. University and community groups may rent the climbing wall for recreational and educational uses. We can host Birthday Parties, Retreats, Employee Wellness Programs, and Instructional Programs.  Private rental gives a group exclusive access to the climbing wall during the designated rental time. The Climbing Wall is available for private rental outside of open climb hours.  Open climb hours are Weekdays 9-11am and 4-10pm and Weekends 12-4pm.  

Minimum Group Size: 12 Climbers

Student/Member per Person Rate:

Non-Member per Person Rate:

All prices include set up & take down time, equipment rental (shoes, harnesses), introductory climbing instruction and staffing at a 1:6 beginner or 1:12 experienced, staff to participant ratio.  Add on services such as food, refreshments and parking can be arranged at an additional fee with advance notice.

GROUP RESERVATIONS are ONLY scheduled outside of open hours. We cannot accommodate groups during open hours.

Contact Amber Heft at 928.523.5010 or amber.heft@nau.edu  for more information or to make a reservation.

Instructional Clinics:

Preregister by visiting the climbing wall during open hours or contacting Amber Heft at 928-523-5010 or Amber.Heft@nau.edu.

Belay Clinics

DAYS and TIME: By appointment only. See climbing wall desk or email

PRICE: $5 students; $10 faculty/staff; $15 Community.
COURSE SIZE: 2-4 participants.

PREREQUSITES: signed waiver, minimum age 14 years.

To belay literally means “to secure” and is a critical technique used in rock climbing. It consists of securing the climber to a rope so he/she doesn't fall very far in the case of slipping off the rock.  To belay someone in climbing is to control the slack in a life supporting rope with the aid of a friction device.  While participating in this clinic you will not only learn how to belay using the BUS method, but also how to conduct a basic gear inspection, properly fit and use a climbing harness, tie a figure eight follow through and load and use two different belay devices (tube style and Gri Gri). This clinic teaches you the skills necessary to take the belay test and belay independently at the NAU Outdoors Climbing Wall.  All requisite gear is provided; climbers may bring their own harnesses, chalk bags, shoes, and belay devices if they choose.

Introduction to Climbing and Bouldering Technique:

DAYS and TIME: By appointment only. See climbing wall desk or email amber.heft@nau.edu

PRICE: $10 students; $15 faculty/staff; $20 Community
CLINIC SIZE: 4-10 participants

PREREQUISITES: signed waiver

Improve your climbing ability, efficiency, and technique by participating in this two hour instructional clinic.  Our instructors will demonstrate basic climbing technique, introduce terminology and provide coaching as you practice.   Topics/skills covered include: balance and resting while climbing, spotting and falling, types of climbing, route rating systems, gripping holds, and foot work. All requisite gear is provided; climbers may bring their own harnesses, chalk bags, shoes, and belay devices if they choose.

Intermediate Climbing & Bouldering Technique:

DAYS and TIME: By appointment only. See climbing wall desk or email amber.heft@nau.edu

PRICE: $10 students; $15 faculty/staff; $20 Community
CLINIC SIZE: 4-10 participants

PREREQUISITES: Signed Waiver and Introduction to Climbing and Bouldering Technique or Instructor Approval.

This clinic is offered as a continuation to the Introduction to Climbing & Bouldering Technique clinic and designed for any intermediate climber looking to improve their climbing abilities, technique and efficiency.  Our instructors will demonstrate intermediate climbing technique, introduce terminology and provide coaching as you practice.   Topics/skills covered vary depending on participants’ goals but may include: pressure and force, crack climbing, stemming, lie-back, counterbalance (flagging), matching, Gaston, and heel and toe hooks.  All requisite gear is provided; climbers may bring their own harnesses, chalk bags, shoes, and belay devices if they choose.

Lead Climbing Clinic:

DAYS and TIME: By appointment only. See climbing wall desk or email amber.heft@nau.edu. 
PRICE: $30 students; $50 faculty/staff; $75 Community
PREREQUSITES:  signed waiver, intermediate climber, and able to on-site flash (climb without falling on first attempt) a 5.8 grade route for certification.  

CLINIC SIZE: 2-6 participants

Lead climbing offers a further challenge for the aspiring climber and can be described as free climbing with the use of fixed (bolted) or climber-placed (traditional) points of protection set as anchors along a route. Lead climbing using fixed bolts is commonly called "sport climbing" and is the kind of lead climbing we can do at the Climbing Wall.  The atmosphere of our Climbing Wall allows for a controlled lead-climbing experience, removed from many of the dangers found outdoors. Our bolt hangers are through-bolted to a metal framework, our bolts are placed close together, and one side of our wall is overhung so falls end in midair instead of into the wall.  While participating in this clinic you will learn how to lead belay using an ATC and Gri Gri, flake rope, inspect gear, clip draws, and manage common risks of lead climbing such as Z and Back Clipping.    This clinic teaches you the skills necessary to take the NAU Outdoors Climbing Wall Lead Climb/Belay Test and participate in Lead Nights at the Wall.  All requisite gear is provided; climbers may bring their own harnesses, chalk bags, shoes, and belay devices if they choose. 

Lead Climbing Test Only:

DAYS and TIME: By appointment only. See climbing wall desk or email amber.heft@nau.edu

PRICE: $10 Students and HLC Members
PREREQUSITES:  signed waiver, intermediate climber, and able to on-site flash (climb without falling on first attempt) a 5.9 grade route for certification.