Building a climbing wall can be an excellent idea for training and preparing to climb without having to leave the house and many climbers use it to improve their skills.
A rock wall at home allows you to train and climb without necessarily having to have a gym nearby. Follow the steps given below to find out how to build it.
Steps
Step 1. Decide exactly how you want the wall to be
- Do you want it inside or out?
- What shape, size and features do you want it to have?
- You can also start sketching it.
Step 2. Plan the construction method you will use
To build the wall, you must use a structural method that is able to withstand the weight of a climber, and, if the wall is outside, also to withstand the wind in adverse weather conditions.
- Construction with posts and beams. This is the most structurally sound method. Drive 20cm diameter treated poles into the ground at approximately 1.20m depth. Fill the holes with a mixture of ready-made concrete or pre-mixed concrete mixed in a wheelbarrow. Bolt 10X15 cm beams horizontally over the posts with 1, 5 or 2 cm galvanized bolts. Secure with nails and screws a 2 cm plywood sheathing on the beams, and finish by painting (normal or rough paint).
- Wooden scaffold, wooden outer cover. It consists of lumber attached to a "mud sill" or built on a concrete base. A 5x15cm piece of wood is recommended, centers at 40cm, with a 2cm plywood outer sheath fixed with 8 5cm long wood screws at 20cm in the center. You will need a reinforcement firmly anchored to the back of the wall and to the ground behind the structure to keep it vertical.
- Wooden scaffold, stucco cover. Build the wall as indicated above, then attach a stick of plaster and wire with nails 3 cm long, 20 cm from the center. Spread a 1.5 cm layer of construction plaster onto the batten, scratching this "coating" so that the final one sticks better. Apply a final coat of construction concrete or synthetic plaster after the scratched layer has dried completely.
- Concrete block. Place a concrete base, at least 20cm thick and 60cm wide, with reinforcing bars, 0, 5 or 1m below the ground level. Insert 5 cylindrical pins at 40 cm on the center of the concrete block, with 1.20 m facing upwards for the reinforcement of the cells of the block. Secure the block (20X20X40cm usually) by filling each cell that has an armature with mortar as you go. Add armor with an 80 cm turn so that the entire armor is continuous at the top of the wall. Backfill the bottom to ground level and compact it. This base reinforcement will serve as a support in strong winds to prevent the wall from tipping over.
Step 3. Calculate accurately the costs of the wall, the materials you will need and all the technical details
He begins to conceive the specific cutting angles, the scaffolding, the junction points and other important features of the wall. Understand what kind of effects the natural elements will have on the wall if it is outdoors. Will he risk being left in the rain or snow? One way to improve the seal of the wall over time is to use the marine edge. It is more expensive but if you live in a rainy area, over time you will consider it a valid choice.
Step 4. Build the wall
If you like to build, this will be the best part. The actual wall will gradually take shape during this process.
Step 5. Finish the wall surface, paint it and apply the knurling
Step 6. Consider the location of the drop zone
Will you have any protections such as mattresses or gym mats?
Step 7. Tighten the grips and build the routes
If the wall is outside, know that the sockets and bolts will most likely rust a lot. If you don't plan on moving your sockets often, that shouldn't bother you too much. If you want to move them, it may be difficult to unscrew them once they have rusted. Going to the nearest climbing gym you may also find relatively cheap ones; often when they replace them, they sell the old ones at rather low prices. You may also find some from manufacturers who are getting rid of the old models. Once the wall is up, you will be thrilled to be able to climb anytime you want; however, there will come a time when you get used to the wall and it won't be as exciting as it used to be. Keep motivation high by adding new parts and creating new ways. The more challenges you find, the more likely you will be to improve your training.
Advice
- It will help you tremendously to find a carpenter or bricklayer friend who can help you out.
- A good way to help prevent rusting of sockets is to paint them with liquid tape. It can then simply come off when you want to remove it.
- The descriptions given above regarding the construction of the wall are simple suggestions on techniques that could be applied to this project; these are not detailed instructions on how to put these techniques into practice.
