Climbing wall reopens 1 year after accident

Starting today, students will no longer have to venture off campus to go rock climbing.

The Rams Head Recreation Center climbing wall will reopen today after being closed for nearly a year after a student fell and sustained injuries.

“Right now, we are in the process of hiring staff so we are just going to give it a run first on the first wall, and eventually we are going to open up the other wall in Fetzer,” said Dustin Bray, Campus Recreation marketing and special events coordinator.

The two climbing walls closed in April after Lizzie Smith, then a UNC student and Campus Recreation employee, fell off the Rams Head wall while climbing alone, damaging her legs and lower body.

Chance Van Noppen, the UNC climbing program coordinator, said in an email Campus Recreation staff hope to have both walls in operation within the next several weeks.

Van Noppen said Campus Recreation spent a significant amount of time evaluating the climbing program and how its safety measures could be improved.

“From the assessment, we have received an extensive list of recommendations for the program,” Van Noppen said.

He said the University has adopted new policies and procedures that are common with other commercial and university climbing wall programs.

“Anyone wishing to climb at the UNC climbing walls must pass a belay test in order to become certified,” Van Noppen said.

An Introduction to Climbing course is also offered through Campus Recreation to those who have no previous climbing experience. Registration for the course is offered through the campus recreation website.

“I believe that education plays a large roll in mitigating many of the risks associated with indoor rock climbing,” Van Noppen said.

“Staff training, certifications, classes and clinics provide our staff and patrons the climbing and knowledge they need to successfully teach and participate, respectively, in the climbing program at UNC.”

He added many of the revised policies and procedures will ensure safer practices, including the policy prohibiting anyone from being on the wall alone.

He said the reopening date was set three weeks ago after completing numerous required recommendations after the accident that took place last year.

Freshman Patrick Lung said that he plans to use the Rams Head climbing wall.

“I am part of a rock climbing club, but I haven’t gone on any trips so the fact that the wall is two minutes away from the residence halls is fantastic and I will definitely be hitting it up when it opens,” Lung said.

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.