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Climbing Wall

Benny Climbing

Our climbing wall has 5,500 square feet of climbable space making it the most expansive wall in the region and one of the largest at any university. The wall was built in 1999 and designed by Scott Vail of Nampa, Idaho.  

Link to the Climbing Wall Assumption of Risk

Climbing Wall Opens Monday, August 25

Monday: 4-8 PM
Tuesday: 4-8 PM
Wednesday: 4-8 PM
Thursdays: 4-8 PM
Friday: 4-8 PM
Saturday: 1-5 PM
Sunday: Closed

Climbing Wall Schedule Changes

Saturday, Sep. 13 - Closed for Pocatello Pump
Thursday, Oct. 9 - Open Climb 5-8PM
Friday, Oct. 17 - Open Climb 5-8PM
Thursday, Oct. 30 - Open Climb 5-8PM

Usage Fees

  • Full-Activity-Fee-Paying Students: No charge
  • All gym members with a valid membership: No charge
  • Day passes, week pass, and 10-visit punch passes: Available for purchase at Campus Recreation Desk for information on pricing visit https://www.isu.edu/camprec/services/memberships/
  • Rental equipment including harnesses, shoes, belay device, and chalk bag: No charge with valid ID card at the Campus Recreation Desk

  • 125 feet wide by 35 feet high with 5,500 square feet of climbable space

  • 25-foot horizontal roof overhang

  • 20,000 feet (4 miles) of metal tubing make up the interior frame

  • 19 top-rope stations with 45+ routes

  • 17 lead climbing stations

  • Bouldering area with 25+ problems

  • 2 TrueBlue Auto-Belays

  • The minimum age to belay is 16 
  • Children under age 8 are not permitted to climb
  • Children under 8 must remain in the non-climbing area under active adult supervision. Babies in carriers are not permitted into the climbing area
  • The “climbing area” includes the belay and mat areas between the wall’s check-in desk at half court and the wall itself
  • For children ages 8 to 15 to participate in open climb, a 1:1 ratio–one adult participant for each child participant–is required unless approved by a climbing wall employee
  • For any minor to climb, an Assumption of Risk is required to be signed by the participant and the child’s parent or legal guardian. Phone calls, handwritten permission slips, or guardian-for-the-day does not suffice for a legal parent or guardian signature

Picture of south court with no climbing area marked

 

We are scheduling ISU student groups, ISU affiliated groups, and day time field trips for team climbs. 

We are no longer able to accommodate afternoon, evening, or weekend community groups.

To inquire about scheduling a group, please fill out this Climbing Group Inquiry form.  

Submitting this form is the first step in scheduling your group, but it is not a reservation. You will be contacted directly to discuss possible dates and times, after which you will receive a formal confirmation of your reservation.

Trouble filling out the form? Call (208) 282-3912.


About Group Climbing

We use a “team climb” for groups which allows those under age 16 to belay each other safely with a multi-person, multi-rope belay setup. It is a fun, rewarding experience for youth groups and beginners! 

GROUP CLIMBS ARE NOT AVAILABLE DURING OPEN CLIMB.
We stress (and cannot stress enough) Wall staff are unable to accommodate groups during Open Climb hours. If a group drops in, they will be turned away.

What constitutes a “group”? Can I bring a couple kids to climb?
The Wall staff's ability to accommodate any climber depends on how busy the wall is and the experience-level of participants. For example, three kids and one adult would be allowed to use the Wall during Open Climb under the following conditions:

  • The adult would need to be belay certified prior to arriving.
  • Children must be at least 8 years old to climb or be in the climbing area.
  • All children must be actively supervised and within arms’ reach as it is extremely unsafe for them to run amok.
  • Everyone who enters the facility will need to be a member or purchase a day pass fee.  We do not have guest passes or spectator rates.
  • Minors under the age of 16 may not belay.
  • Minor participants must have the Climbing Wall Assumption of Risk signed by their parent or legal guardian.