Climbing Wall
Hours
The indoor climbing wall is 7 days a week: Monday–Thursday 4–10:00 p.m., Friday 1–9:00 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday 4–7:00 p.m. when classes are in session. Please check the center's detailed calendar for specifics.
We also host an intro hour Fridays at 1:00 p.m for anyone interested in learning climbing. Westminster faculty and staff are welcome at the wall during any of our open hours, and on the last Friday of each month from 12–1:00 p.m. for our exclusive Faculty/Staff Climbing Hour.
We are closed for college holidays, breaks, and some special events.
Upcoming Events
Spring Bouldering Competition
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
Time: 4–10:00 p.m.
Cost: $10
This is a gendered, skill-based competition with recreational (V0-V2), intermediate (V3-V5), advanced (V6-V7) and open (V8+) categories! We will have categories for female, male, and non-binary competitors. Please choose the option that best suits you. You will self assess your grade/difficulty level. If you complete more than 2 climbs in the next category up, you will be bumped to that category.
The first place individual from each category (women's recreational, women's intermediate, women's advanced, etc.) will be invited to participate in the Utah State Bouldering Competition at Weber State University in Ogden on Saturday, April 1st.
This event includes raffle prizes from Black Diamond, Dynamite Starfish and other local businesses, free pizza (vegan and gluten-free options available) and awards for finalists!
Bouldering Clinic: Level Up your Technique
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
Time: 5–6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Are you new to bouldering or just getting into it? Want to take your bouldering skills to the next level but not sure how? Come to our first-ever bouldering technique clinic on Thursday, March 30th to advance your skills! In this clinic, we will cover:
- Intermediate skills and techniques to climb more efficiently
- Drills you can use to improve your technique
- An overview of recommended training for beginner-intermediate climbers to improve strength and skills
Prerequisites:
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Some amount of climbing experience and familiarity with bouldering at the Westminster wall
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Participants do not need any personal climbing gear to attend this clinic
Take it to the Limit: Introduction to Roped Climbing
Monday, April 17, 2023
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
Time: 5–7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Brand new to climbing and want to learn more about climbing with ropes? Are you a boulderer seeking to branch out and learn to top rope climb? Maybe you've been to our Intro to Climbing Hour and want more experience. If so, come to our Intro to Roped Climbing Clinic! No partner or personal equipment needed! In this clinic, we will cover:
- Harness & Climbing shoe fitting
- How to tie basic climbing knots like a figure-eight
- The basics of belaying a roped climber
- An introduction to the top-rope grading system
This clinic is capped at 10 participants, so be sure to sign up ASAP!
Reoccuring Events
Intro Climbing Hour
Fridays, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
This time is dedicated to new climbers who want to “learn the ropes”. No equipment or experience required– just come ready to climb. If you haven’t already, please complete the Climbing Wall Registration before arriving.
Cost: Free
Faculty/Staff Climbing Hour
Last Friday of each month, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
Heard of “walking meetings?” Now you can have climbing meetings too! Or just come climb. No equipment or experience required– just come ready to climb.. If you haven’t already, please complete the Climbing Wall Registration before arriving.
Please note that due to the Thanksgiving holiday our Nov. 2022 faculty/staff climbing hour will be held on Friday, Nov. 18.
Cost: Free
Check the outdoor program calendar for climbing events.
About the Wall
Ryan Edward Bishop was a business major at Westminster College. He was well known and much beloved on campus for his kind and joyful disposition and for his passion for Utah's mountain landscape. Ryan took great pleasure in sharing his love for the outdoors with friends and fellow students, particularly those who were experiencing the outdoors for the first time.
Ryan passed away on April 28, 2011. Bishop's Wall was dedicated to him on October 27, 2011, to honor his love of adventure, challenge and fellowship. Climb for Bishop!
Thanks to a generous donor, Bishop’s Wall was fully rebuilt in 2022 by Vertical Solutions. The indoor climbing wall offers 48 vertical feet of top-rope, lead climbing, and bouldering routes of all levels. Our experienced student instructors teach introductory classes, lead climbing, belay certification, and climbing technique clinics. Every year we host fall and spring climbing competitions, special events for groups on campus, academic classes, and activities to get everyone more involved with climbing! Private groups can connect with us to inquire about using Bishop’s Wall for one-time and ongoing events. Contact Caitlin, Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs (cstandish@westminstercollege.edu) for more details.
The Outdoor Bouldering Wall is a "use at your own risk" facility on the west side of the Bassis Center. There are designated poles at the Outdoor Bouldering Wall where you may set up a slackline. The Outdoor Program rents slacklines to the Westminster Community for use at the Outdoor Bouldering Facility.
You can complete the online waiver before coming to the wall.