Climbing at Camp Durant

Bouldering Wall

Bouldering is climbing but requires no rope or safety belay. Bouldering can be done at the base of a cliff, at a boulder field, in a climbing gym or on man-made structures like Camp Durant’s bouldering wall. The boulder wall also serves as a training facility for learning climbing techniques and mastering skills for experienced climbers.

Boulderers usually climb no higher than shoulder height off the ground, and others around them act as spotters. This style requires the least amount of gear – you only need your shoes and a spotter. Spotting is a very important part of your safety, and your climbing instructor will teach you how to spot correctly.

Bouldering focuses on individual moves rather than endurance, and boulder routes are commonly referred to as boulder problems because the climbs are much shorter and involve problem solving. Even the most experienced climbers spend time bouldering because it’s not about heights, it’s about building skill.

The bouldering wall at Camp Durant provides the opportunity for Scouts and others of all ages to practice climbing technique. This is a great activity for Cub Scouts who are too young to use the climbing tower, as it is an opportunity to experience the thrills of climbing in a safe and challenging environment.

Climbing Tower

The climbing tower at Camp Durant is a four-sided, man-made structure that incorporates climbing and rappelling challenges. There are four climbing routes and several rappelling stations. Each climbing route offers a variety of options to get to the top. One of the climbing faces is a 45-ft. vertical surface. The other side has a variety of angles to negotiate along the way. The climbing difficulties range from 5.3 to 5.9 within the climbing rating system.

Rappelling

Rappelling, also known at abseiling (from the German word abseilen, which means “to rope down”), is the controlled descent down a rope. At Camp Durant, rappelling is done from all three levels of the tower. Participants may rappel from the first level of the tower down a 20-ft. vertical wall. The second level has a unique window rappel station. At the top, participants can choose to do a 45-ft. vertical wall rappel or go over a ledge for a 45-ft. free air rappel.