Sonoma State University Climbing Wall

The climbing wall at Sonoma State's Recreation Center

Sonoma State University's Campus Recreation runs this climbing wall inside the Recreation Center on the Rohnert Park campus. Built in 2004 by Enterprise Climbing, it rises to 39 feet, with 11 top-rope stations carrying two or three routes each and 9 bolted lines for lead climbing. A top-out boulder beside it holds plenty of problems. Boulders are graded V0 to V9 and routes 5.6 to 5.13.

Who can climb

The wall is for Campus Recreation members. Students enrolled at SSU get membership with their tuition, while staff, alumni and retirees can buy one for a semester, the summer session or a year, and each member can sponsor one adult. Eligible members and sponsored guests can also buy a $5 daily pass at the front desk. Climbing is free for members, including shoe and harness hire. Everyone watches a training video and passes a safety quiz first, and belayers take a test with the staff, with a separate test for leading.

Sessions and clinics

• Bouldering whenever the Recreation Center is open
• Staffed roped climbing from Sunday to Thursday, 17:00 to 21:00
• Clinics booked on the Rec Portal: a free introduction to top-rope belaying, lead climbing, and Technique & Movement 101 and 201
• Themed climbing nights and socials, including Pride Rock for LGBTQ+ climbers and allies

The rest of the Recreation Center has a fitness centre with weights and machines, studios for group fitness classes, a 25-metre pool, an indoor jogging track, and locker rooms with showers.