Who can join the Climbing Club?
Why should I join?
How do I join?
Joining and membership benefits are covered on a
separate page.
How does the Club work?
I want to plan a trip - how do I do it?
The Club is very informal. We generally do not worry too much about rules
or protocol, but plan trips and events individually based on what we feel like
doing at the time. This means that Club activities very greatly from year to
year, and from quarter to quarter. Weather plays an important role too -
the winter months tend to be for skiing, ice climbing, snow camping and other
forms of winter mountaineering, while in spring and fall we do more rock climbing
and in late spring in summer we take advantage of longer days and more forgiving
weather and attempt longer, more alpine climbs.
If you would like to be active with the Club and get plenty of opportunities
to play in the outdoors, it is really up to you to make sure that this happens.
There are many opportunities to meet other Club members, most of whom will be
interested in joining you on trips. It often takes a little initiative to get
things going. The best way to do this is to come to a meeting or post to the
bulletin board to announce that you are interested in going on a trip soon.
Having a fun and active Club depends entirely on having active members!
If there is a particular trip, activity or event you want to do, don't be
afraid to speak up! One of the most helpful and rewarding things members can
do for the Club is to organize and/or lead trips. It doesn't have to
be anything way serious - day hikes are great! Other Club members are there
to help you think of good destinations depending on what kind of trip nature,
length and difficulty you desire, and the Club has maps and guidebooks you
can peruse at meetings to help you plan. Meetings are also the place
to meet potential trip partners, organize rides, and get feedback on trip
ideas!
Does the Club provide any instruction?
In short, no. The Club does not provide any instruction, has no qualified
instructors, nor does it have any liability insurance.
Many Club members, however, spend a lot of time learning from each other on
their trips. If you like the idea of being self-taught with the help of others
that are learning like you, or maybe a bit further along, then you may get a
lot out of being active with the Club.
If what you really want is professional instruction you should go to a
professional guide service like Rainier Mountaineering or Mountain Madness.
What kind of activities does the Club organize?
The Club is centered around weekly meetings on the UW campus on the one hand,
and electronic communication on the other. The objective is to give members
plenty of opportunities to meet each other and plan trips into the mountains.
The calendar page lists all the different meetings
and events organized by the Club.
The Club doesn't organize any "official" trips into the mountains. However, its
members spend a lot of time out there. If you want to go climbing, hiking or skiing
the backcountry, then the Club can help you by enabling you to meet others to go
with.
What kind of activities do the Club members engage in?
Almost anything you can think of, as long as it takes place in the mountains or
around rock. However, hiking, climbing and backcountry skiing are our primary
interest. If you're looking for partners for the mountains you've come to the right
place.
Are Club members into [your favorite kind of] climbing?
Probably, unless it is very esoteric or dangerous. The best way to find out is
to post on the bulletin board.
What about hiking and backpacking?
Absolutely. Almost every member hikes and backpacks because that's a part of most
climbing trips. If you want to go hiking or backpacking and are looking for partners
you should post on the bulletin board and ask.
What about skiing and other winter activities?
Absolutely. Climbing Club members lift ski and snowboard quite a lot at the resorts,
but if that's your number one desire you'll probably be more at home in one of the other
clubs that are dedicated to in-area snow sports.
If, on the other hand, you want to go ski touring, seek out some backcountry turns, go
snowshoeing or the like, then you're in the right place.
What is the IMA Gear Room?
The IMA Gear Room is part of the IMA and stocked with mountaineering gear like ice
axes, crampons, four season tents, touring skis, helmets, shovels, and the like. The
gear is available to Club members that have paid for a full membership. Faculty and
staff may need to purchase access to the IMA separately. In the summer a summer IMA
sticker is required for entering the IMA.
When is the IMA Gear Room open?
The calendar page has information about the opening hours
of the Gear Room.
Is the Climbing Club affiliated with the Indoor Climbing Center?
No. The Indoor Climbing Center is an IMA facility. However, since we both share the goal of providing climbing and mountaineering opportunities to UW students, we work together closely. In addition, our gear room is co-located with the ICC rental room. Climbing Club Gear Rentals do NOT entitle you to free rentals of shoes and harnesses at the Indoor Climbing Center.
Can you recommend any good books about climbing?
Sure - we have an on-line reading list you may like.
Is climbing dangerous?
Absolutely. Climbing is inherently dangerous and the risk of death or
serious injury can never be completely eliminated. It is up to each individual
to make his or her own choices regarding acceptable risk.
