Outdoor climbing wall prepped for ice climbing

December 5, 2011

Tori Tragis

Outdoor Adventures staff members Frank Olive and Mark Oldmixon prepare the new outdoor climbing wall for ice climbing.

The climbing wall, dubbed the UAF Outdoor Education Center, is located near the Student Recreation Center and the campus sledding hill. The wall offers more than 30 vertical feet of climbing area for instruction and recreation.

The ice wall is in its inaugural year. UAF staff members will spend the winter fine-tuning systems to create optimal ice conditions on the structure. Safety, route options and instructional priorities will drive the development of the ice-climbing program on campus.

In addition to recreational uses and new programs, the Outdoor Education Center will be used for the recreational class, Introduction to Technical Climbing. It may also serve as a stage for outdoor concerts during the summer.

The climbing wall project is close to the hearts of the students; half of the funding for the project came from the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the campus’ student government organization. Chancellor Brian Rogers covered the other half with private funds.

For more information contact Outdoor Adventures at 474-6027 or fywild@uaf.edu.