CLIMBING & BOULDERING WALL

The Mt. Mendota Climbing & Bouldering Wall supports bouldering, top roping, and sport climbing. The Bouldering Wall is 13 feet tall and the Climbing Wall is 32 feet tall, for a combined 1,900 square feet and 8 lanes of climbing surface. Climbing is free for all members during regular hours, and all gear including shoes and harnesses is free for all members as well! No experience is needed to participate. We’ll have staff to help out anyone who’d like to climb.

 

BOP TO THE TOP

Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
1976 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Daily Schedules

HOURS OF OPERATION

January 20 – May 2

Day of the Week Hours
Monday - Thursday Noon - 10pm
Friday - Sunday Noon - 8pm

Adjusted Hours

Date Hours
February 24 Noon - 8pm
March 17 Noon - 8pm
April 12 Noon - 8pm

Final Exam Week

Date Hours
May 3 - 4 2 - 6pm
May 5 - 8 2 - 8pm
May 9 2 - 6pm

 

March 21 – 30

Day of the Week Hours
Monday - Thursday 2 - 8pm
Friday - Sunday 2 - 6pm

 

Check back later for summer 2025 hours.

 

Check back later for fall 2025 hours.

 

KILTER BOARD

The Kilter Board is a state of the art piece of climbing equipment meant for climbing strength and technique training. Check out this video on how to use it!

 

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How does it work?

  • With a Kilter Board’s light-up holds and adjustable pitch, you’ll have access to well over 100k unique climbs contributed by people all over the global climbing community, from your average everyday gym-goers to professional, celebrity climbers.
  • Connect to the board with the Android or iOS app, set your climbing grade preferences, and search the catalog for a climb you want to train!
  • Your “problem” (what we call climbing paths in the discipline of bouldering) will be marked with LED-illuminated climbing holds which are color coordinated to denote starts and finishes, as well as which holds you can use for both hands and feet or those intended only as feet.
  • Once you select your problem on the app, use the control panel to adjust the angle of the board.
  • You are allowed to use liquid chalk on the Kilter Board. All other forms of chalk are prohibited.

 

When can I use it?

The Kilter Board is open now! It is available for use anytime the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center is open. Look at the climbing wall hours listed about for when staff are at the wall for help with operating instruction and questions.

 

What do the colors mean?

  • Green: Place your hands here to start. Don’t reach for anything else until both feet are off the ground. You are also allowed to step on these when necessary.
  • Yellow: You may use these only for your feet. You may also use shoe friction against the black surface of the board itself.
  • Blue: These may be used for your hands or for your feet.
  • Pink: These indicate the final hold(s) of the climb. Reach these using only the holds in the climb, per their rules, to complete the problem.

 

Have more questions?

Ask a Mt. Mendota staff member for assistance at any time. If Mt. Mendota is closed, find a Rec Well staff member for help!

 

CLIMBING CLINICS

Climbing clinics are single day instructional programs focused on specific climbing skills and techniques. Clinics are perfect for any climber looking to improve their climbing experience or build new skills.

 

Image of climbing staff giving instruction to a member.

Lead Climbing Clinic

This clinic will teach you what you need to know in order to indoor lead climb and lead belay at Mt. Mendota. Participants must be Top Rope Belay certified at Mt. Mendota and be able to comfortably climb a climbing grade of at least 5.9.

Price: Student – $5, Members – $10

Dates:
Wednesday, March 19
Thursday, April 17

Time:
9am – noon

REGISTER HERE

 

Member looking up at Mt. Mendota Climbing wall at Bakke

Top Rope Belay Lesson

In this Top Rope Belay clinic, you will learn how to tie in and belay another climber. Our trained staff will teach you everything you need to know about belaying.

Price: Student – $5, Members – $10

Dates & Times:
Wednesday, February 19 @ 10:30am – noon
Tuesday, March 11 @ 8 – 9:30pm
Monday, April 7 @ 7 – 8:30pm
Tuesday, April 29 @ 7 – 8:30pm

REGISTER HERE

 

CLIMBING EVENTS

Climbing wall events are a great way to meet other climbers, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself in a fun and supportive environment. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, there’s an event out there for you!

 

Members climbing at the Mt. Mendota Climbing wall at Bakke

Mt. Mendota Climbing Competition

This friendly climbing competition is an opportunity to test your top rope climbing and bouldering skills against other UW-Madison climbers.

There will be brackets for beginner, intermediate, and advanced climbers. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.

A commemorative t-shirt and gear rental are included with registration.

All participants must purchase an Intramural Sports Pass and register through FusionPlay in order to participate.

Date and Time:
Sunday, March 9 @ 9am – 4pm

Students can register for Recreational, Intermediate, or Advanced.

REGISTER HERE

 

Image of woman climbing on mt. Mendota climbing wall covering a portion of her face with her hadn

Women+ Climbing Night

Experience indoor rock climbing in a welcoming and supportive environment! Mt. Mendota’s Women+ Climbing Night is a free event staffed by knowledgeable and experienced women and non-binary student staff members. All women, trans women, nonbinary, gender expansive, and anyone who is seeking this community is encouraged to attend. All skill levels are welcome and instruction will be provided!

Dates & Time:
Friday, March 14 @ 8 – 10pm

REGISTER HERE

 

Image of Mt. Mendota that highlights a climber on the wall as well as patrons standing nearby waiting to climb

Queer Climbing Night

Show your pride at the Climbing Wall! Mt. Mendota’s Queer Climbing Nights are free, registration only events that are staffed by our knowledgeable and experienced members and allies of the community. All LGBTQ+ students are welcome, and instruction will be provided, so all skill levels are encouraged to attend.

Dates & Time:
Friday, February 21 @ 8 – 10pm
Monday, March 31 @ 8 – 10pm

REGISTER HERE

 

Image of Mt. Mendota climbing wall.

Climbers of Color Meetup

In collaboration with the Madison Climbers of Color, this event is an opportunity for people of color to build community around the sport of rock climbing. New rock climbers will be introduced to climbing while nurturing and building community with seasoned climbers. Check out the Madison Climbers of Color social media pages for more information about additional meetups!

Date & Time:
Saturday, February 15 @ 9am – noon

REGISTER HERE

 

FAQs

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How much does it cost?

It is 100 percent free to all students and members! This includes all rental gear like climbing shoes and harnesses.

 

Do I need to make a reservation?

No! We have open rec hours within the Bakke’s regular hours of operation. During these times, members are free to come in and climb as much as they want.

 

What type of climbing is available?

Mt. Mendota has a 13-foot bouldering wall as well as a 32-foot top rope/lead climbing wall. There are 3 auto belays and 5 ropes for top rope climbing.

 

Is chalk allowed?

Mt. Mendota: All forms of chalk are allowed at Mt. Mendota.

Kilter Board: Liquid Chalk is allowed. All other forms of chalk are prohibited.

 

Do I need to know how to climb to participate?

No! We have trained staff members to belay, coach, and encourage you up the wall. Check out our available educational programs and clinics if you want to learn more!

 

Are you hiring?

We are not currently hiring for the climbing wall. If you are interested in working, reach out to patrick.rowe@wisc.edu with questions or check our student jobs page for more information.