Climbing Wall
One of the most popular activities NMU Recreational Sports offers is its 1,450 square-foot climbing wall, named the Boreal Boulder, which is located in the Physical Education and Instructional Facility (PEIF) of the NMU Sports Complex, near the basketball courts.
Activities at the wall include climbing for adults and children, partner climbs and classes. Trained staff members are on hand to assist with climbs and teach proper technique. All climbers MUST follow the climbing policies and youths are required to have parents sign a waiver form.
The wall is also available for group events, including youth birthday parties, campus groups, and community organizations.
Experience the rush of climbing the wall! For more information, e-mail orc@nmu.edu or call 906-227-1369.
Fall 2009 Hours
| Belay Training | Open Climb | Partner Climb/ Rentals | Ladies Climb | Kids Climb | |
| Mon. | 4 - 5 p.m. | 5 - 9 p.m. | |||
| Tues. | 5 - 6 p.m. | 6 - 10 p.m. | |||
| Wed. | 4 - 5 p.m. | 5 - 9 p.m. | 9 - 11 p.m. | ||
| Thurs. | 5 - 6 p.m. | 6 - 10 p.m. | |||
| Fri. | 9 - 10 a.m. 4 - 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | 5 - 8 p.m. | ||
| Sat. | 9 - 10 a.m. 4 - 5 p.m. | 5 - 8 p.m. | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | ||
| Sun. | 5 - 6 p.m. | 6 - 10 p.m. |
*Belay training is available during all partner climb times.
| Thanksgiving Break Hours | ||
| Thanksgiving Break | Wednesday, Nov. 25 | CLOSED |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | CLOSED | |
| Friday, Nov. 27 | CLOSED | |
| Saturday, Nov. 28 PC/Rentals | 5 - 8 p.m. | |
| Sunday, Nov. 29 Belay Lessons PC/Rentals | 5 - 6 p.m. 6 - 10 p.m. | |
Belay Training
Belay training is a time set aside for climbers who wish to become belay certified at the ORC's climbing wall. It takes place an hour before every shift, all week. The cost is a onetime only fee of $5. You are required to be belay certified through the ORC if you wish to attend Partner Climbs or belay your friends - even if you are certified at another gym!
Open Climb
Open climb is a time at the ORC where anyone can come in, whether you are a beginner climber or advanced. The ORC has staff on hand to help with belaying or give you tips on how to master that route you've been stuck on. No belay certification is required for Open Climb shifts.
Partner Climb
Partner climb allows climbers to come in and belay for themselves. This is a time that is usually quieter than Open Climb and allows the climbers to climb the wall without waiting in any lines. In order to attend Partner Climb shifts, you must be belay certified through the ORC.
User Fees
There is no charge for recreation members to use the climbing wall during open hours. For non-members, a valid day pass is required (purchased at the Info Center for $6) with an additional climbing wall fee of $3 (paid at the climbing wall).
Climbers can also buy a punch pass and save. Punch passes are available for non-members who only want to use the PEIF climbing wall. For $30, the punch pass allows you 10 open climbs or partner climbs without having to purchase a Recreation Sports day pass. The punch passes are available at the rental center.
Climbing shoes may be rented for $2 on a first-come, first-served basis. Socks must be worn with all shoe rentals. Harnesses and belay devices also are available for checkout during open and partner climb hours at no charge.
Fees for group packages or wall rental vary with the number of participants, length and content of the event.
To sign up or get more information, e-mail recsport@nmu.edu, call 906-227-2519, or stop by the Rec Sports office at PEIF 126.
