Climbing

Summer Campus Rec Bucket List

Posted on 05/07/2013 by Emily Wheeler

The following blog is in outline format. Just skim through, check out the challenge at the bottom and keep your mind open to new challenges and experiences. Also, keep in mind; you must pay a fee if you are not taking classes during the first summer session to work out at the SRC/Rams Head.

Classes we offer this summer:

  • Cardio Blast
  • Cardio Funk
  • Cycle
  • Kickboxing
  • Lower Body Conditioning
  • Muscle Cut
  • Pilates
  • Step
  • Step’n Sculpt
  • Tai Chi
  • Turbokick
  • Yoga and Mindful yoga
  • Zumba

Sign up for an Intramural Sport:

First Session

  • Softball
  • 3v3 Basketball
  • 4v4 Football
  • Tennis

Second Session

  • 4v4 Flag Football
  • Sand Volleyball 3’s
  • 3v3 Basketball
  • Tennis

See http://campusrec.unc.edu/schedule for more info

Climbing Wall

  • Have a current UNC OneCard
  • Pass a Belay Certification Test by
    • Take the Intro to Climbing Course (free for the summer!) OR
    • Sign up for the Belay Test Challenge
  • Purchase equipment rental – prepare for these steep prices…just kidding.
    • Boreal Equinox Climbing Shoes/Evolv Slipper – $3
    • Black Diamond Vario Harness – $2
    • Chalk Bag and Belt – $1
    • Belay Device and Locking Carabiner – FREE
    • OR get an Unlimited Climbing Equipment Rental card for $20 for the summer
  • More info visit: http://campusrec.unc.edu/climbing-wall

Trips & Expeditions

    • WAFFYS (Wilderness Adventures for First Year Students)
      • Five backpacking trips at Wilson Creek
      • So is this open to students going into sophomore year or freshman year?

Here’s your challenge:

  • Attend one fitness class per week
  • Get your Belay Certification for climbing
  • Commit to an intramural sport for one summer session
  • If you are a freshman, take a WAFFYS trip.
  • Use this summer to expand your horizons, accustom your body to new forms of exercise and meet new people! Have some fun while you’re at it!

- Campus Rec Team

Climbing      Group Fitness Class

Categories: Climbing, Fitness, Intramurals, Outdoor Recreation | Leave a comment

Prepare to Climb

Posted on 03/18/2013 by Stacey Northup

I became a cool Chaco-wearing, climbing guru with arms of steel when I got belayed certified through Campus Rec.  In just a couple hours, I went from having no idea what “belay” meant to climbing to the top of the wall like Spider-Man.   The small class of 10 students and I learned how to tie a knot properly, how to belay for someone and how to climb.

Climbing is a great activity to do by yourself or with friends.  You can continuously challenge yourself to get better and faster by using the self-belay device in Rams Head.  You can also skip the ice cream date and go climbing with your friends for fitness and fun.

Starting today, Monday, March 18, the Rams Head Climbing Wall will reopen!  If you want to harness up, tie-in and climb, you must be belay certified by the UNC Climbing Wall Staff.  Hours for the climbing wall are…

  • Monday-Thursday 4:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 1:00-6:00 p.m.

climbing2

Not certified yet? Don’t worry – we’ll still include you!  An Introduction to Climbing Class will take place Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.  All you have to do is register at the Campus Rec Main Office in the SRC (for free!) and you’ll be on your way to learning the basic safety skills needed to pass the Belay Certification Test required to climb at UNC.  The test will be administered at the conclusion of the course.

Already know it all?  If you do not feel the need to take the intro class (i.e. you are an experienced climber with basic climbing skills, knowledge of risk management and proper equipment usage and selection), you can simply take the test.  A brief orientation explaining the facility, policies and procedures will start the clinic, and then, you can take the test.  This takes places Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m., and again, you must register at the main office.

climbing1

Click here to learn more about Newbie Nights to test drive the climbing wall and click here to learn more about Campus Recreation Rock Climbing Expeditions where you can take your climbing skills outside to locations like Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain.

For all other basic climbing information, click here.  If you still have questions, feel free to contact Chance Van Noppen, our Climbing Coordinator.

Categories: Outdoor Recreation, Climbing | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Attend a Climbing Workshop!

Posted on 03/15/2012 by Stacey Northup

Because I became belay certified last semester, I was able to attend Campus Rec’s first climbing technique workshop of the semester. During this hour-long class, I learned new skills to improve my climbing abilities.

Two instructors led the group.  First, we discussed balance. Balance is a key aspect of climbing and knowing how to position your body is important. Your center of gravity while climbing is your core, which needs to be as close as possible to the wall.

Next, we learned how to use our arms and legs while climbing. Because your legs naturally have much stronger muscles than your arms, they are your greatest tool to use. But that doesn’t mean your arms have no use! By gripping the rocks in different ways with your hands, you can use your arm muscles in the most effective ways, making your climb easier.

During this hour, I learned many other tricks and techniques to improve my climbing abilities. The instructors even led us in playing a few climbing games. Climbing is a fun activity that you can do with friends and it gives you a great workout. It challenges your muscles and also improves your cardiovascular health.

If you are interested in attending the next Climbing Technique Workshop, be sure to check out campusrec.unc.edu/climbing-wall. The workshop is free and no pre-registration is required! It will take place Thursday, March 29 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the RHRC Climbing Wall.

If you’re not belay certified, attend one of the two weekly classes and check out my post on my certification experience! Or, if you’d like to spend time outdoors, check out Campus Rec’s expedition to climb Pilot Mountain. You’ll really challenge yourself and grow as a climber!

Categories: Climbing | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Belay Certification

Posted on 10/06/2011 by Stacey Northup

Yep, I’m one of those people now. And if you’re not, you should be. In roughly an hour, I became belay certified by taking a class through Campus Rec. The class was so simple, yet informative, and now I can climb the rock walls in Fetzer and Rams Head any day of the week.

The class consisted of 10 students and two instructors. There were a few simple steps to learn before passing the test. First, we learned how to put on the harness. If you can put on a pair of pants, you can put on a harness. It was that easy.

Next, we learned how to tie the rope in order to climb up the wall. After learning how to “stab the alien” and make the “figure 8” knot (you’ll understand those terms after taking the class!), we practiced the proper form to belay. The most important part: never letting your right hand leave the rope (and if I ever belay you, you’ll be grateful I remember that!).

Finally, we learned how to tie the rope in order to belay someone. After these simple steps, we took “the test”. The test was not a written one (thank goodness), but an actual test of our skills. Everyone partnered up. While one person climbed the wall, the other person belayed. Their first time up, they announced they would “fall” so the one on the ground could stop their fall. After conquering this task, they would climb again and suddenly “fall” without a warning.

Everyone passed the simple test and the remaining time was spent climbing and belaying for each other, just for fun. Now I am certified through next year (and have a cool card to prove it) and I can climb whenever I choose to. The best part of climbing at UNC is that you can climb/belay with a friend or by yourself: there’s a self-belay device in Rams Head!

So grab a group of friends to go get certified with, if you want to climb together, or get certified yourself! It’s just another great opportunity Campus Rec gives us that makes being active enjoyable! For more information on the Climbing Walls, visit www.campusrec.unc.edu/climbing-wall.

Categories: Climbing | Tags: , , , , | 9 Comments

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