Ritt Kellogg Climbing Gym
The Ritt Kellogg Climbing Gym is a FREE on-campus resource for students, faculty, and staff. This facility includes a large climbing room as well as a training area. Options exist for bouldering, top-roping, lead-climbing, dry-tooling, slack-lining, and training. All ability levels are encouraged to come, and equipment is provided for free for those without any personal climbing gear. The Ritt Gym Staff also offers a wide variety of clinics and workshops throughout the year!
El Pomar Sports Center, Middle Floor
For an updated list of all of our events, clinics, and aerial fabrics classes, please visit SUMMIT!
All active employees and students are welcome to use the facility.
Weekly Clinics and Programs
Women's Wednesdays, 4-6 pm
This weekly timeslot is reserved for female-identifying climbers. All skill levels are welcome! This happens every block during weeks 1-3. Make sure to check Summit for special Women's Wednesday Clinics.
Diverse Climbers of CC, 2-3 pm Third Mondays
This timeslot is reserved for Climbers of Color. All skill levels are welcome. This happens every third Monday of the block.
Top Rope Belay Classes, Various times - Register on Summit
If you are new to climbing or just need a refresher on safe belay practices, register for one of our Top Rope Belay Classes! Belaying is the process of safely taking in slack in the rope as the climber progresses up the climbing wall, which protects them in case of a fall. It is one of the most important skills that all climbers must be proficient in to climb safely.
If you already know how to properly and safely belay, stop by the climbing gym at any time and ask for a Belay Assessment! Our belay assessments are based on the American Alpine Universal Belay Standards.
Prerequisites: No previous experience is required!
Lead Belay Classes, Various times - Register on Summit
If you are excited to take your indoor or outdoor climbing to the next level, register for one of our Lead Belay Classes. This class will build off of your top rope belay skills and will enable you to belay someone who is "leading" a climb from the ground up. This class will also introduce how to lead climb as well, which is an essential skill to learn in a safe environment like our indoor climbing wall! Lead climbing is the process of starting with both the rope and climber on the ground and the climber works their way up the wall, clipping into quickdraws (anchors) on the wall as they move higher and higher, protecting themselves from landing on the ground in the event of a fall.
If you already know how to properly and safely belay, stop by the climbing gym at any time and ask for a Belay Assessment! Our belay assessments are based on the American Alpine Universal Belay Standards.
Prerequisites: Must be Top Rope Belay Certified at the Ritt Kellogg Climbing Gym and feel comfortable top rope belaying before attending this clinic.
Open Route Setting
Are you interested in helping to create some of the awesome routes at the climbing wall? Stop by our Open Setting hours every Tuesday from 1:00-4:00pm during weeks 1-3 of each block. Our route setter staff will provide a safety orientation and help you set fun and challenging climbing routes!
Aerial Silks Classes
All are welcome to come to experience the exciting world of aerial silks through hands-on instruction. Silks participants will learn to use the fabric that is suspended from the climbing wall to swing, fall, suspend, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions. Classes are offered for all skill levels including beginner and intermediate.
Register in advance on Summit!
Additional Clinics Offered
The Ritt Kellogg Climbing Gym is a gym meant to be a fun, safe, welcoming, and educational space for all of the CC community. We offer a wide variety of clinics for all skills and ability levels. The clinics are taught in line with industry standards and will help any climber take their skills to the next level and learn how to be safe in the process! See a current schedule and register on SUMMIT!
Some of our clinics include:
- Knots and Hitches
- Climbing Movement and Technique
- Intro to Anchor Building
- Anchor Cleaning and Rappelling
- Intro to Traditional Gear and Anchors
- Intro to Multipitch Climbing
- Intro to Dry Tooling
- Rock Climbing Rescue
- Intro to Aid Climbing
Explore Outdoor Education
Facility Hours
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Contact Us
931 N. Nevada Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Register Here
Register for your next adventure today!