Information::About
What is the purpose of the climbing club?The purpose of the Club is to facilitate climbing for the USC community by providing equipment, organizing outings (day trips and weekenders), and giving some informal instruction. The club is under USC's Intramural Recreation Department, and is a student-run organization.Who Can Join?The climbing club is open to all of the USC community (students, both undergraduate and graduate, faculty, staff and Alumni), no matter the skill level. However, we do insist on climbing responsibly.For beginners, we offer some instructions during outings, as well as seminars during our group meetings as needed. How do you join and what are the dues?The annual dues for the academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer sessions) is $60 ($30 Fall, $30 Spring). If you are not sure about joining but want to try climbing with us, you can do so once by paying $5 fee. If you decide to join the club, the $5 will be deducted from your membership fee. The dues can be paid at the club meeting or before your first climb. Every climber must also sign a liability waiver before climbing with the club. For more information, come to one of our weekly club meetings.What are the membership benefits?The club provides necessary rock-climbing equipment, both for top-roping and lead climbing, with the exception of climbing shoes, which can be rented or bought from local climbing/outdoor stores. On the extended outings, the club also defrays food and camping costs. Furthermore, club members have exclusive hours to train at the Lyon Center bouldering wall. The club also gets promotional deals sometimes which are passed on to its members.What About Safety?The club encourages safe climbing techniques. All beginner members must
have a back-up person while belaying. The top rope anchors are set up
by experienced climbers, who follow standard safe anchoring techniques.
Equipment is replaced when the officers judge it to be potentially unsafe.
However, safety is every climber's responsibility, and they should check
the belay anchors before climbing on them. We also encourage every climber
to expand their knowledge of basic climbing techniques, anchors and related
topics by reading, taking instructional courses, and participating in
the anchor setting process. Lead climbing should be done only by people
who have led before and have the necessary experience to do so. If you
are unsure of anything, ask one of the club officers or a more experienced
climber. Thankfully, we've never had a major climbing accident since the
founding of the club, and we hope to continue our good record by remembering
that safety is everyone's responsibility.
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