For those who enjoy rock climbing but don’t want to fight the cold winter, the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center is the place to go on campus.

The RFW at USI is home to a 36-foot rock climbing tower and a complete bouldering wall.

According to student manager Heath Kline, the rock climbing center has been up and running since the RFW was built and attracts roughly 30 student climbers a day.

“We teach classes every hour on the hour,” Kline said.

The class is a 10 to 15 minute mandatory safety precaution that teaches soon to be climbers the fundamentals of freehand bouldering and top roping.

Top roping is a form of rock climbing in which the climber wears a harness attached to a rope and pulley system. The other end of the climber’s rope is affixed to a spotter, also known as a belayer.

A more minimalist approach to the art of rock climbing is bouldering. This form utilizes no ropes and uses shorter, more difficult climbing routes.

Kline is in the process of organizing a bouldering competition to take place at the climbing center.

“We’re going to open it to all students and faculty free of charge,” Kline said.

He plans to post more information on the RFW’s website in February.

The climbing center does have uses beyond recreation for RFW users. It also serves as a venue for university-sanctioned rock climbing courses.

USI offers an introductory and an advanced level rock climbing course. Students may choose to take the class on campus at the climbing center or the Vertical Excape climbing gym, located near Eastland Mall.

Those interested in rock climbing outside the walls of a gym do have options for natural climbing in the area.

Rock wall instructor Luke York said he has spent some time exploring the many unique rock formations found in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois.

“I’ve done some bouldering at Dixon Springs and top roping at Jackson Falls,” York said. “Climbers always stress a low impact, leave it as you found it mentality when it comes to outdoor climbing.”