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
Flash Program
The flash program is an incentive-based challenge that rewards climbers with giveaways for finishing a set number of routes.
At this time, giveaways consist of a
- t-shirt
- chalk bag
- boulder route setting experience
How It Works
Check in at the climbing wall. Climbers will be given a flash sheet to track their progress. In order for a climber to receive credit for a climb, a staff member must observe the completion of the climb. The staff member will then add the climb to the climber's flash sheet and sign-off on the finished route.
Point Values
- Boulder routes = 0.5 points
- Top Rope = 1 point
- Lead climb= 1.5 points
Point Value for Prizes
- 10 points = T-shirt
- 25 points = Chalk bag
- 50 points = Setting Experience
Prize Earning Climbs, 10th, 25th, and 50th Climbs
In order to qualify for a prize, the hardest climb listed on the flash sheet at that point must be completed during the prize earning climb. Example: An individual climbs nine 5.6’s, they must climb a 5.7 on their tenth climb in order to receive the t-shirt.
Your Flash Sheet
Climbers are responsible for their flash sheet. Flash sheets are stored in the climbing wall office. If a flash sheet is misplaced, climbers will have to start from scratch.
The flash program can only be completed once per person.
Questions? Email us at aztecadv@sdsu.edu.
