Oxford University Climbing Wall

As a climber in Oxford, I was excited to learn that the university has its own bouldering wall. However, ‘Iffley’, as it is fondly known, is one which you will either love or hate.
Unlike most modern walls, which have screw-​on or bolted resin holds, Iffley is a brick wall with inserts of what feels like real rock, postioned in numbered tiles along the wall. It’s 2 – 3 metres high, so is for bouldering only, but you need to provide your own mats for safe landing. Only members of the University Mountaineering Club are allowed to use the wall, and they have access to some club mats, but if you’re not a member, it’s still good fun to go and watch people doing bizarre gymnastic moves on teeny holds.
The holds are numbered and there’s a guidebook with graded problems, which consist of sequences of numbers. These range from traverses to awkward sit-​starts, to dynos and even more inventive moves involving the roof beams and nearby door frames! The holds are rather unusual, including some metal bits and some vital chips in the brickwork. Don’t even think of trying to smear, as the wall is polished to death.
The place has a great atmosphere if there are a few people down there, and it overlooks the hall where hardy people can be seen waving martial arts sticks around or performing aerial stunts on trampolines. The main problem is that the wall is simply the wall of a corridor, so climbers and other sports centre users can get in each others’ way. It can be quite awkward to watch climbers, but there’s often a Pilates ball or a pile of gym mats to sit on.
A very different experience from climbing at Brookes and well worth a go if you’re a member, or a look if you’re not. Before you turn your nose up at it, just remember that Johnny Dawes has climbed here.