Climbing Wall

Consisting of the TAOS Tower and HUECO Bouldering Wall, the SMU Climbing Wall provides over 2600 square feet of climbing and is the place for those wanting to get into climbing or for established climbers at SMU.

The Center provides supervision, instruction, and indoor climbing equipment rental. The Climbing Wall welcomes all climbing levels with routes designed for different skills and experiences (from beginner to advanced). Look for special climbing events, competitions, and classes.

The indoor climbing walls were constructed by EntrePrise USA, Inc, a leading builder of artificial climbing walls in the US, and are composed of their patented Free Form® material to provide the look and feel of real rock.

For any questions please contact the Climbing Wall at 214-768-9917 or Dr. Albert Mitugo at amitugo@smu.edu.

 

person climbing on indoor climbing wall

Hours

Closed: Dec 16 to Jan 6, 2025

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: Closed
Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Tower is closed during all major holidays
Bouldering Wall: Open during building operation hours

*Hours subject to change

Classes

  • Basics of Belay: Ongoing during operation hours
  • Top Rope Belay Skills and Lead Climbing Skills Check: On request with prior arrangement
  • Movement Class: On request with prior arrangement
  • Intro to Lead Climbing: On request with prior arrangement

Fees

Climbing

  • Dedman Members (SMU student, faculty, staff and community) includes harness: Free
  • SMU Faculty and staff Dedman Members' immediate minor family members (during family hours): Free
  • Guest with valid belay or lead skills verification: Free
  • Guest Climbing Fee includes harness (in addition to $10 gym entry fee): $5 day/person
  • Minor Climbing Packages: 5 visits for $20 minor, 10 visits for $40 minor
  • Minor Climbing Fee includes harness: $5 day/person
  • Minor Fee (Parent w/ valid Belay or Lead Skills Check): $2 day/person
  • Top Rope Belay Skills Check: $5 person/test
  • Lead Climbing Skills Check (Pre-requisites required): $5 person/test
  • Skills Check Replacement Card: $2 + tax per occurrence

Rentals

  • Climbing Shoes: Free Daily rentals
  • Chalk bag + Chalk: Free

Classes

  • Basics Class: $10/person
  • Movement Class: $10/person
  • Intro to Lead  (Pre-requisites required): $10/person

Facilitated Climbs

*Must be staff supervised - 2 weeks advanced notice

  • Basic Rappelling: $10/person
  • SMU group Rental: Contact special events
  • For any questions please contact the Climbing Wall at 214-768-9917

Rules

The following Climbing Wall guidelines must be followed for safety:

  • Follow posted rules and regulations.
  • Climbing Wall Staff must be present during roped climbing on the Taos Tower. Bouldering on the Hueco Bouldering Wall is at your own risk and available outside Climbing Wall operational hours.
  • Parents of children under the age of 16 using the Climbing Wall must stay in the immediate area.
  • Only appropriate climbing footwear is allowed. NO Sandals. NO Bare feet. NO Boots.
  • Personal hardware, belay devices or ropes may NOT be used at the Climbing Wall. Personal harnesses must be approved by climbing wall staff.
  • Roped climbers will be required to sign a release of liability form (lasts one year) and must check in at the Climbing Wall desk.
  • If you need helmets for roped climbing, they are available for check-out with ID.
  • To belay, climbers must obtain an SMU Climbing Wall belay approval card.  Belayers must display their approval card on their harness.
  • To lead climb, climbers must have a valid SMU Climbing Wall top-rope belay approval, demonstrate a climbing ability > 5.8 rating, and pass a Lead Climbing skills test.
  • Climbing Wall equipment may not be removed from the Climbing Wall area.
  • Only Climbing Wall staff may remove or place handholds and quickdraws.
  • No private or independent instruction unless approved by SMU Outdoor Adventures.
  • Report any accidents/injuries or equipment/wall damage.
  • Climbing Wall, its staff, SMU Outdoor Adventures program or Department of Recreational Sports will not be responsible for personal items left in the area.
  • Individuals exhibiting inappropriate or unsafe behaviors or fail to comply with the rules/regulations and Climbing Wall policies or directives of Climbing Wall staff may have their access to the Climbing Wall and Dedman Center suspended or revoked.