VOC climbing wall

How to get to VOC Climbing Wall

Believe it or not, the VOC has it's own climbing wall. Built in 1992, the wall is located in the SUB, in the backstage area behind the movie theatre screen. Routes are usually maintained by the Climbing Wall coordinator, although anyone is really free to set new routes if they want. A competition is usually held annually, and weeknight climbing & drinking events sometimes happen.

Issues with the climbing wall

1. We share the auditorium with other users. We must not use it when it is booked by others.
   
2. We are responsible for safety. The AMS does not claim to understand ropes and such, so we must test people and certify that they are safe.
   

How to get Climbing Wall Access

1. You need a Climbing Wall Membership Card. To get this card, you must be a member of VOC, and demonstrate that you know how to belay safely.
2. You need a Climbing Partner, someone else with a Card, because it is a top-rope wall, not a bouldering wall.
3. You need to know the Wall Schedule, posted on our wiki. The wall is available at certain times and not others, and this varies from week to week, because the wall is behind the theater in SUB, and they can’t have us falling and making scratchy noises during events in the theater.
4. Having the wall schedule, you then go and find the Proctor, identify yourself with your Wall Card, and go climb.

If you want to use the wall, you must somehow convince an executive that you are worthy - i.e. that you can put on a harness, belay, etc. To do the Belay Test (see below) you can book a time with any of the exec or you can also just show up during gear hours. You also need a partner, as no one is allowed to use the wall solo. You can access the wall anytime by finding the SUB building supervisor to let you in, as long as the wall is open and you have a valid partner. Wall hours are posted from time to time. Since the space is shared with the film society all climbers need to vacate the area 6:00pm sharp whenever a film or other event is scheduled.

Belay Test

Belay tests can be done in the club room or at the climbing wall or anywhere with climbing facilities. Please bring your own belay device and a harness.
Any member wishing to use the climbing wall must competently demonstrate the following to an Exec:
1) proper use of harness
2) proper set-up of belay device
3) belaying a "climber" using ACMG method (sliding hand method). Acceptible if climber can demonstrate safe and efficient use of other methods (hand over hand)
4) catching a mock fall
5) lowering a "climber"
6) tying in using a double figure 8 knot