Rock Climbing Room
Undoubtedly, the towering feature of the Student Activity Center on SMC's Dowagiac campus, is the 3,500-square-foot rock climbing room called the Canyon.
Approaching the room from the long hall, you feel as if you are walking into a large crevice between two crags. The Canyon has a 35-foot vertical wall with several shorter walls, and a 12-foot high bouldering wall.
The Canyon has the capacity for as many as 10 people to climb at one time. There are 22 lines for learning rappelling, toproping, and other climbing techniques.
There are more than 60 routes climbers can take in the room, not counting the 20 or more options on the 12-foot bouldering wall. Bouldering is a term used when climbers use no harnesses or ropes to navigate the wall. If a climber were to fall, they will land on a bouldering or crash pad similar to a mattress.
Participants will find climbing routes designed with names like "Purple Rain" because all of the holders are purple; "Anthony 101," which reflects crazy shapes; "Twist n' Shout" based on how the climber has to twist around to reach different holds and then be faced with three holds that appear to be shouting at the climber; and "Road Runner Aréte" named after the SMC mascot.
Hours of Operation
| The Canyon Hours | ||
| Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday |
3:00p-7:00p |
|
| Wednesday Saturday |
Closed |
|
| Sunday: | 2:00p-8:00p | |
| Summer Hours for The Canyon (Effective April 29-September 4) |
||
| Monday Wednesday Friday |
12:00p-3:00p |
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| Tuesday Thursday |
Closed | |
| Saturday | 8:00a. - 12:00p | |
| Sunday: | closed | |
How the Rock Climbing Room Came to Be
Completing the realistic illusion of the space is the 28-foot by 53-foot mural of Zion Canyon printed from an original oil painting by David Baker, SMC art instructor. Baker traveled to Zion National Park to photograph Zion Canyon and the infamous 1,500-foot Angels Landing, which, along with the Virgin River, is the focal point of the mural.
"It's a very beautiful place," said Baker of Zion Canyon. "It was very inspiring as the artist." Over eons of time the Virgin River carved the canyon through the sandstone cliffs. In several places, 4000 foot walls frame this narrow canyon. Zion has become a destination point for both artists and serious rock climbers alike. Baker chose to depict Zion Park because of the beautiful range of colors in the Navajo sandstone cliffs. Rock climbers hold Zion in high regard. It is second only to Yosemite in popularity among our national parks. Finally, the unique character of its geography offered a perfect match for our own "man made canyon".
The custom-designed rock room was made of interconnected sections with geometrically-shaped steel panels fabricated and installed much like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. Plywood was then put up on the steel structure. A special two-part surface texture was then applied, stamped, and painted to provide a seamless finish. This texture has amazing feel for climbing, much like the real thing.
Finally, a digital photograph of Baker's painting was enlarged 1200%, printed on artists canvas and then mounted on the walls.
Inspiration from the SMC President
The Canyon Rock Climbing Room is the inspiration of SMC President Dr. David Mathews, who "was bitten by the (climbing) bug" in 1983. For those who have never rock climbed, Dr. Mathews said the Canyon Rock Climbing Room is designed for beginners as well as experienced climbers. "This is beginner friendly," said Dr. Mathews. "We will have a range (of climbing routes) for beginners to some that are absolutely very challenging."
