Climbing Wall

• The Climbing Wall and OAC is open Monday – Thursday 4-8 p.m. and Friday 2-8pm. 
• All climbers must reserve a time to climb.  Reservations can be made on the Campus Rec portal. Climbing is free for all Campus Recreation patrons. Reservations will close 15-minutes after the session start time.   
• Climbing sessions are limited to five (5) climbers at a time. 
• Climbing sessions will last 45-minutes and start at the top of the hour.  All climbers must exit the OAC at the 45-minute mark of the session to give our staff time to clean and sanitize the facility before the next climbing session.  
• Climbers may register for multiple sessions in a day. Climbers who register for back-to-back sessions must exit the facility at the 45-minute mark and enter the facility again at the top of the hour.  
• Climbers who reserve a time to climb and do not show up will not be penalized until their third “no-show”. After the third missed session, that climber will no longer be permitted to reserve a time to climb.   
• Sections of the Climbing Wall will be closed. Routes and ropes will be rotated on a 3-day schedule. Available routes for the day will be listed in the OAC. There are routes available for climbers of all skill levels each day.   
• Please come to the reserved time ready to climb. We suggest using the restroom beforehand and wearing the clothes you plan to wear when climbing. Restrooms will be available to use, but you must check-in at the OAC prior to gaining access.  
• Only liquid chalk is permitted. Liquid chalk is available for climbers to use at the OAC.   
• Participants who wish to belay in the OAC must possess a Top Rope Belay Endorsement.
• Lead climbing is not permitted at this time.
• Personal items must be kept in the waiting area of the OAC.  Food and non-water beverages are not permitted in the OAC.  

Climbers of all skill sets and abilities are welcome in the Outdoor Adventure Center.  If a climber requires an adaptation to traditional climbing methods, please see a Campus Rec employee prior to climbing.  

• Participants should not wear rings, necklaces extending beyond the chin, or dangling earrings while climbing or belaying.  
• Participants with hair extending beyond their shoulders should tie it back when climbing or belaying.  
• All pockets must be empty when climbing.  
• The use of headphones and/or personal music devices are prohibited on the Climbing Wall floor.  
• Participants may only use liquid chalk. 
• Personal climbing equipment must be International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation approved.    
• All top rope belayers must possess a Towson University-issued Top Rope Belay Endorsement in order to top rope belay at the Climbing Wall.
• All belayers must remain standing and keep their brake hand on the rope when belaying.
• Clinics and workshops have priority over routes. Instructors may ask climbers to move to another route.
• Climbers are required to clip into the belay loop of their harness using two opposing carabiners.   
• Climbers are required to utilize hand sanitizer immediately before and after every climb. 
• OAC climbing equipment may not leave the OAC. 

Failure to follow or adhere to the above guidelines and/or the direction of Campus Recreation staff may result in disciplinary action.

• The Climbing Wall and OAC is open Monday – Thursday 4-8 p.m. and Friday 2-6 p.m. 

At this time, guests are not permitted in our facility. 

Top rope belaying is permitted in our facility.  All belayers must possess a TU-issued Top Rope Belay Endorsement in order to top rope belay at the Climbing Wall.  To obtain a TU-issued Top Rope Belay Endorsement, belayers must successfully complete a Skills Check with a staff member.  Participants who are new to belaying or do not know how to belay may participate in the free “Learn to Climb” clinic.

For the Spring 2021 semester, we are offering a free “Learn to Climb” clinic.  This clinic will cover the equipment used in climbing and how to belay a climber.  For the health and safety of our participants, our clinics are limited to two participants per class. To participate in a clinic, please register at recreation.towson.edu. 

Please note: It is imperative that clinics start on time.  For this reason, participants who are more than 5 minutes late will not be able to participate in the clinic and recorded as a ‘no show’.  Participants who register for a clinic but do not show up will be documented.  Participants who register for a clinic and do not show up on time or at all will not be penalized until their second “no-show”. After the second missed clinic, that participant will no longer be able to register for a clinic for the Spring 2021 semester.

No, we do not allow bouldering at our facility.

At this time, lead climbing is not permitted.

The Outdoor Adventure Center welcomes climbers of all abilities and skill levels. We have equipment that can suit every climber of every body type. Please indicate that you will need adaptive climbing assistance on the reservation form when you register to climb. 

At this time, groups are not permitted to reserve times to climb.