Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall: Evidence of a Growing Climbing Community

Name: Scioto Audubon Outdoor Climbing Wall
Street: 395 W. Whittier St.
City: Columbus
State: Ohio
Zip: 43215
Date Visited: 3/27/11

Facilitator: Columbus Metro Parks
Website: http://www.metroparks.net/parkssciotoaudubon.aspx

Hours:  6:30am - 8:00pm (October - March)
            6:30am - 10:00pm (April - September)

Admission: Free
Waiver: Yes (not strictly enforced)
Belay Certification: Required (not strictly enforced)

Gear Rentals: Not Available

Top Rope: Yes
Sport/Lead: Yes
Bouldering: Yes

Restrooms: Yes
Water: Yes


Overview:

Nestled on the bank of the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio, lies the Scioto Audubon Metro Park; home of the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country (or so they claim). This 35-foot tall rock was constructed as part of a recent effort to transform a once industrialized Brownfield site to a natural recreation area (now known as the Scioto Audubon).

The wall has about a dozen routes, all of which can be top roped. There are a handful of bolted routes to lead and plenty of bouldering to be had. Though fairly new, the wall has drawn quite a bit of attention from the local climbing community and can get crowded at times. The park also features volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, a pond, a water tower, and interactive games, which draw a broader audience.

Park Rangers patrol the area and supervise the wall, though their presence seem like nothing more than a formality. There are waivers to fill out, and you are supposed to prove that you are certified to belay, but the rangers won't pursue you if you don't (especially if you bring your own gear).

The routes and holds have been the same since the wall was built and it is still unclear as to when they will be changed. To my knowledge the routes have not been named, but there are a few notable routes, namely; a bolted crack, a bolted 35ft arch, and a smaller arch for bouldering. Though the routes are relatively easy, the polymer-fiberglass composite that the rock is made out of, provides a lot of 'natural' ridges and features, allowing the climber to use less hand holds and increase difficulty.

Overall, the wall is an awesome attraction and a great place to climb outside, in a city and state devoid of natural rock. The people are friendly (especially the climbers), but it is a public park and there tend to be a lot of families and children roaming about. The wall is also open until 12:00am on the 2nd Friday of every month, for those itching for that midnight climb.



Additional Links:

Scioto Audubon Columbus Metro Parks

Scioto Audubon - Master Plan

Rock Werx Climbing - Company that built the wall