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Climbing Tower

Description: A structure designed to simulate a rock climbing experience that contains many manufactured rock climbing holds. The participant attempts to scale the wall by using their arms and/or legs to push or pull themselves.

View Streaming Video (opens with Real Player) NOTE: Real Player is required to view video This video clip shows a participant climbing the tower at Bradford Woods with the assistance of a facilitator climbing in tandem. Video courtesy of Bradford Woods.

Examples of Inclusive Options:

• The counterbalance is a system designed to aid a participant that does not possess sufficient strength to climb. A rope is hooked to the participant with weight attached to the other end that assists the participant during their ascent.


• This tower was built with four sides to provide four levels of challenge. The design enables people with a wider range of ability levels to utilize the tower and have a memorable experience.


• Full body harnesses are used with a front hook–in for participants who lack upper body control for this activity.


• The large wooden blocks and cutouts on the wall enable participants who cannot grasp tiny climbing holds to make their climb with more ease.
  
  Please use caution when designing these options. Cutouts need to be large enough to not trap fingers or hands‚ and if they are large enough to put an arm or foot into‚ they need to be boxed in from behind so the appendage does not slide in to far. If the cutout is too large‚ an arm or leg could easily be caught in the opening and be broken in a short fall.
  
• Platforms can be added to the wall to provide different points toward which participants can strive. They also allow for a place to sit and rest during a climb.



The path for the counter balance system is represented by red dots. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A participant waits for his turn at the climbing tower with the assistance of the counter–balance system. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)




The red dots represent the path of the counter–balance system at the top of the climbing tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

Weights used in the counter-balance system. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)





A group of participants gets ready to climb the tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A participant works hard to climb the tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A participant and facilitator work together to complete a “buddy–climb”. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A participant uses a cutout in the wall to climb higher. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A challenge participant pulls herself up the climbing tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A participant takes a break on the climbing tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

A facilitator assists a participant make their goal of reaching the first platform of the climbing tower. (Photo by Bradford Woods.)

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