
Indoor Climbing
Top-Rope, Bouldering, and Training
Located on the first level of the Aztec Recreation Center, the ARC Climbing Wall features two distinct spaces: a 41 ft. tall wall and 12ft. bouldering wall.
The tall wall offers 10 top rope stations, 3 auto-belay stations, lead climbing anchors, and a realistic rock crack. The bouldering wall boasts 30 climbing routes of varying difficulty.
The climbing wall area also offers climbing-specific strength training tools and a realistic rock station for learning how to build anchors and place trad climbing gear.
Each semester Aztec Adventures offers beginner and intermediate rock climbing skills courses, which can be taken for credit through the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.
How to Get Started
Members must check-in at the climbing office to scan in for each visit. Upon scanning in, members may check-out climbing gear with the assistance of a staff member.
First time climbers at the ARC must participate in a climbing wall orientation prior to climbing. Orientations are required regardless of experience level and must be renewed annually. Registration is not required; just ask a climbing wall staff member for assistance.
New to belaying? No problem! Visit the Aztec Recreation app, or use the links below to sign up for a Top Rope Belay class or a Lead Climbing class.
Experienced climbers may request a Top Rope Belay test any day during open hours to become belay certified for the ARC wall. Lead Climbing tests are administered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 12:00pm-3:00pm.


Indoor Climbing Gear Check-out
The following gear is available to check-out at NO COST:
- Climbing shoes
- Harness
- GRIGRI belay device and locking carabiner
- Lead climbing rope
- Crack gloves
- Ice climbing DryToolz and helmet with face shield
Climbers are permitted to use their personal gear as long as it meets the following guidelines:
- Belaying must be done with a GRIGRI (ATCs or other belay devices are not permitted)
- No harness that is older than 5 years
- No GRIGRI or locking carabiner that is older than 10 years
- It must pass the manufacturer’s standards for use
- All equipment is subject to approval by a staff member



Questions? Email us at aztecadv@sdsu.edu.