How to Design a Rock Climbing Wall

Find a suitable location for your wall. A short bouldering wall can be set up in a spare room or basement, but a larger sport-climbing wall requires a great deal of space. Outdoor walls can be constructed with great success, but weathering increases maintenance demands.

Rough out height, width, contours, corners and overhangs. Sketch or write down dimensions for every aspect of your wall and work off these plans.

Design support structures. A short wall, less than 15 feet, can be supported by studded panels similar to house framing. Large walls, however, must have steel support structures. These frames must be strong enough to support the weight of the wall and climbers as well as the additional forces created by climbers' leverage and stresses caused by arresting falls. If you have little experience working with such materials, find a professional to assist with this step.

Use square panels of ¾-inch plywood for the wall face with holes pre-drilled for climbing holds. Attach these panels with quality framing screws. You can also use preformed plastic panels that can be purchased from climbing equipment suppliers.

Purchase varied designs of climbing holds, or fashion your own out of hardwood blocks. Plan for various route designs and difficulties so you can change your training regimen.

Provide climbing protection with professional ropes, top-roping anchors and various permanent protection points on the wall. Bouldering walls need a soft landing area since climbers do not use protection on these short (10 to 12 feet) walls.