Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is the age old adventure sport that involves climbing up, over or across natural rock formations. Sometimes there is a nominal goal such as reaching the summit or following a predefined route but it is more often the joy of climbing that motivates the climber. LUMC offers a safe introduction to rock climbing with experienced leaders to get you going.
Note: If you want to hire climbing gear ourside of a club trip you will need to get permission from the conveiner.
Outdoor
The club also runs outdoor rock climbing trips throughout the year. The trips tend to be one of two varieties: Top Roping or Lead Climbing and visit a range of locations including daytrips to the nearby Werribee Gorge and multi-day trips to Cathedral Ranges, The Grampians or Mt Arapiles.
Indoor
LUMC members regularly head down to one of Melbourne's indoor climbing gyms for a spot of climbing on plastic. Besides being fun in itself, the indoor climbing gyms are a great place to build up confidence and skills so that when you go outdoors climbing you can enjoy it much more.
La Trobe Climbing tower
La Trobe University has a rockclimbing tower on campus.
There is a outdoor rock climbing wall at La Trobe Uni (Bundoora) Sports Centre, which LUMC occasionally runs climbing sessions at. Only free climbing for members is when we run a session! Check our Events for sessions with LUMC!
Organising a climbing session at the wall is a significant impost on our volunteers and the climbing isn't brilliant so we tend to go to some of the Melbourne Gyms more regularly than on campus.
If you are not a member, you are welcome to come along to LUMC sessions and watch, but if you want to climb or belay you will need to join up as a LUMC member
Where is it?
The climbing tower is located on the lawn behind the Sports Centre. From the front desk turn left, go through the double glass doors walk around the back of the pool.
Climbing rules - for climbing on the La Trobe wall with the club
La Trobe Uni Mountaineering Club Members ONLY on club climbing sessions - if you are not a member, you must sign up first
The club is not permitted to use the wall unless it is officially booked by the president on behalf of the club. All club sessions are advertised to all members (although sometimes there may be a restriction on numbers or a minimum skills requirement). We unfortunately cannot climb if its wet - a decision to cancel will be made by the session supervisor or the Sports Centre.
- Climbing shoes only
- Appropriate helmets and harnesses must be worn for roped climbing
- No loose clothing, hair or jewelry
- No bouldering above 3m
- No chewing gum
- Empty your pockets!
- No phones inside the climbing area
- No Climbing or Belaying unless you have undergone the Climbers and Belay check
- Be helpful and friendly to our volunteers who run the sessions! (helping get gear out and packing up at end is always appreciated)
LUMC certified climbing categories
Climbers and belayers
Approved to climb and belay under supervision of one of the Session Supervisors by undertaking the 8-step Climbers and Belayers check (~10 mins). Even if you climb regularly, you must have undergone this check (led by one of the session supervisors). Make sure you get your name added to our list of people who are ticked off so we don't ask you to do it again next time.
1. Proper use of the harness
2. Knowledge of the re-threaded "figure of eight” knot
3. Correct use of karabiner
4. Proper communication
5. Understanding of ground sling length
6. Buddy check of climbing partner, prior to climbing
7. Correct "5 Step" belaying method
8. Correct lowering method
Rope set up assistant
These people are approved by the Sports Centre to set up and pack up the ropes. A session supervisor must also be present to run the climbing component.
Session Supervisors
These people are approved by the Sports Centre and allowed to run the session. They must be competent in controlling an enthusiastic bunch of uni students eager to get out climbing. They must also pass the club's Climbers and belayers check. These are the only people from the club with key access to set up and have been trained in setting up the ropes, and must check all ropes before any climbing occurs. Each session should have 1 person designated as “in charge”. What this person says goes.
Lead climbers + belayers
Must have passed the Climbers and Belayers check AND have a lead climbing card from one of the Melbourne gyms. Lead cards must be displayed. Anyone “practicing” lead without a lead card, must do this on top rope (as backup with with 2 belayers - either as top belay or bottom belay). Lead climbing will not be possible at every session.
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope. The climbs or "problems" are typically short enough such that a fall will not result in serious injury. The focus of bouldering is typically on power and strength rather than endurance (Bouldering is to climbing what sprinting is to running). Bouldering usually takes place on large boulders, hence the name, but often people will practice bouldering at the base of larger rock faces or on artificial structures (blue stone bridges being a particular favorite).
Partners
