From conquering the rock wall at local Madison gyms to traveling the country in search of the most challenging climbs in the country, Mountaineering Club members take trips that challenge climbers of all levels.
The Hoofer Mountaineering Club is a student-run organization that wants to keep people out on the rocks, while also maintaining a collective of knowledgeable climbers who can both teach and pass on their knowledge to others. We love teaching new members or even just getting people together to all go climb, whether it be at Devil's Lake or as far as Red River Gorge in Kentucky. We run both club trips and more relaxed unofficial trips for last-minute planners! If you're more experienced (or looking to improve), we also offer a climbing team!
A membership with Hoofer Mountaineering gives you access to our gear locker, as well as discounts at the climbing wall in the Sett and 20% off climbing gear at Fontana Sports in Madison.
How to Join
1. Create your Account!
When you're ready to join, head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You must be a Union Member to join. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
2. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined the club, you can search for events and sign up from the member site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
For more information, click the button below!
Contact Us
Hoofer Mountaineering Club
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hoofermountaineering.org
Contact Us
News
What’s up climbers! This trip was an intro to sport climbing trip to the Red River Gorge, Kentucky!
Upcoming Events
Outdoor Queer Climbing Social
Queer Climbing Social at Gov. Dodge State Park.
Sponsored and led by Hoofer Mountaineering Club (HMC)
When:
Saturday, October 19th, 9am - 3pm
Who:
All Queer and Trans identified people.
Cost:
Free to participate
Equipment:
$7 rental shoes available at Outdoor UW (Pick up Friday 10:30-6pm, Drop off Saturday 10:30-6pm)
Free Helmets and harnesses from HMC at Gov. Dodge.
Food:
Community Potluck and Grill out!
HMC will provide some mains (GF and Vegan options).
Transportation:
HMC leaders will organize an informal sign up sheet for people to carpool.
HMC is not providing transportation and cannot promise its availability.
No experience, partner, or membership necessary!
HMC leaders will set up 4 ropes and can help people with skills as necessary (belaying, climbing, etc).
More details (packing list, parking location, etc.) will be sent out to registered participants.
About HMC:
The Hoofer Mountaineering Club is a student and community member-run organization that wants to keep people out on the rocks, while also maintaining a collective of knowledgeable climbers who can both teach and pass on their knowledge to others. We love teaching new members or even just getting people together to all go climb. We also offer a climbing team, again no experiance needed to join!
Contact:
Lizz Epp CVT (she/he/they)wishingpony@gmail.com
Anchors Clinic
Anchor setting clinic at Devils Lake! This will be a full day, so we're leaving the circle around 9AM and getting back around 6PM. Bring a lunch, water and some snacks! The expectation here will be that you already have a top rope rating and are excited to learn. You will need a harness, helmet, and some sort of personal tether, such as a PAS (not a daisy chain).
We'll be going over the most important aspects of setting top rope anchors. This will include:
- Identifying routes
- Placing trad gear
- Tying knots
- Actually climbing
For questions, contact Josh or Elena.
Hillbilly Hollow Sport Climbing Clinic
I'll be hosting a sport climbing clinic at Hillbilly Hollow. You'll learn how to lead, belay, and clean. Once we're finished with the educational part of the trip, we'll probably have some time left to climb things for fun. We'll leave from Memorial Union at 7:30 AM, and try to arrive back in Madison between 5 and 6 PM. To go on this trip, you must be confident top rope climbing. Also, because this is a clinic, you are required to wear a helmet while climbing or belaying. The cost of this trip covers the fleet car. For more information about the area, see this Mountain Project page.
How do I know if this is a good clinic for me?
- I have top rope experience and want to push myself to the next technical level
- I want to learn to sport climb so I'm more ready for my next trip
- I'm not confident in my existing sport climbing skills
If you're an experienced sport climber, you won't get much out of this. Due to the limited number of spots available, I'd like to ask that you don't sign up for this if you just want to sport climb. This clinic will be oriented towards beginners.
You must bring:
* Water
* Lunch/snacks
* Sunscreen
* Sturdy, high-traction shoes for the hike up to the crag
* A few bucks for gas and/or Culver's
* Climbing shoes
* Climbing harness
* Climbing helmet
* Chalk bag
If you have any questions about gear or need gear, come to the meeting Thursday night or email the gear manager (gearmanager@hoofermountaineering.org). Quickdraws and ropes will be provided. Feel free to reach out to Regan Murray with any questions, mountaineering@hoofers.org.
Sport Climbing at Necedah
A day of climbing in fall weather!
This is a great trip for those of you going to the Red River Gorge the next weekend and want to get some last minute sport climbing in on real rock, or for those not going to the Red but want to take advantage of the sport climbing we have in WI! The purpose/vision of this trip will be that all participants are majority sport lead climbing, meaning top roping will not be the main purpose or style of this event. Come ready to try hard and push yourself on the routes! Everyone will be encouraged and supported in their send-endeavours :)
Bring: Lunch/snacks, plenty of water, cash for gas money or food on the way back, harness, shoes, personal anchor (NO daisy chains), HELMET, personal belay device (if desired, otherwise club will provided ATCs), warm clothes, gloves, sunnies, a smile :)
Transportation: We will be arranging cars either through the Fleet service, or if there are enough kind souls with cars willing to carpool, we will do that. Necedah is about a 90 minute drive away, so we will plan to leave Madison around 7/7:30am to capitalize on a full day of climbing, and will be back to Madison late afternoon.
Cost: Fleet prices will be split amongst the group, or gas money will be expected as payment to the car owners.
Must have a sport climbing rating to join this trip by the time of the trip. There are a number of beginner sport clinics taking place earlier in October, so you can sign up here and get your rating at one of those and be fine to join for this trip. Again, this is not an education-oriented trip; it is expected that participants are fully competent in sport lead climbing, setting up/cleaning sport anchors, and lead belaying. Any questions regarding this information, reach out to Elena at education@hoofermountaineering.org.
Rain/Bad Weather Date: Sunday, October 27th
Red River Gorge 2019!
Description This trip is for people who have their Hoofers sport rating and are ready to use it to its maximum potential! There will also be lots of pizza eating, burrito eating, costume contests, howling at the moon, the usual.
Summary Join us for a long-weekend at the Red River Gorge! We'll be leaving from the Memorial Union circle Wednesday at 2:30pm for our 9.5 hour drive to Miguel’s, our home away from home. We will leave the great state of Kentucky late morning/early afternoon on Sunday, getting back to Madison around 10pm. The cost of the trip is $55 which provides us with a vehicle; gas, food, and camping is not included in the trip cost. We will arrive late Wednesday night, climb all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then head back on Sunday (might get a few climbs in Sunday morning if we are feeling up to it). This trip will be all sport climbing, and we will highly encourage everyone to mostly lead climb!
Hard Details There are 4 open spots. If you pay for one of these spots, there will be no refunds but you can switch out your spot with another person if you can no longer attend. We will be camping at Miguels Pizza(!!!!) which is $3/person/night (if you do the math that is $12/person). Bring your own tent/hammock or find a buddy to share (would not recommend doing this with the hammock). You will also need to bring your own food or meal money for all meals this weekend. Miguel’s pizza and burritos are available, of course. You will also need to fill out the climbing waivers (links at bottom), and become fleet certified. Song input into our roadtrip playlist is REQUIRED!
- Muir Valley waiver http://www.muirvalley.com/waiver.html
- PMRP waiver https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/51c2134a209ee/web
- Fleet Certification https://www.hooferleaders.org/cartravel
Packing List
* Helmet, harness, climbing shoes, chalk, personal anchor, 2 locking carabiners, belay device
* Headlamp, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad
* Sun protection
* Insect repellent
* Other personal items (Toothbrush/paste!!)
* Clothes - Bring layers (and a hat and gloves) and check weather
* Hiking/approach shoes
* Rain jacket
* Food (breakfasts, dinners, and crag food), camp stove to cook on, utensils and a plate/bowl
* Water bottle
* A few dollars for Miguel goodies/ showers
Remember to fill out the Muir Valley waiver http://www.muirvalley.com/waiver.html
PMRP waiver https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/51c2134a209ee/web
Fleet Certification https://www.hooferleaders.org/cartravel
Adaptive Climbing at Adventure Rock
We'll be headed to Adventure Rock for Adaptive Climbing. Feel free to come as a volunteer or as a participant. We’ll be meeting at the Memorial Union circle at 12:00 PM to leave for the gym!
Participants
The cost to participate is $15, and it is a good idea to bring some extra money to stop for a snack on the way home. Adaptive Climbing runs from 3-6 PM at the Adventure Rock Brookfield Location. Learn more about their program on their website or by checking out their Facebook page! Here's what you should bring:
- Water
- Money to participate, potentially get food, and to spot the driver a couple bucks for gas
Adventure Rock has all of the climbing gear needed!
Volunteers
There is no cost to volunteer and we are allowed to climb at the gym for free before the event! We can head up two hours early if everyone wants to get some climbing in. It is recommended that you have received training in adaptive climbing, but it is not required as there is opportunity to learn and occupy entry-level roles at the event. Here's what you should bring:
- Water
- Climbing Shoes
- Harness
- Belay Device
- Money for snacks and gas
REEL ROCK 14
Come to the Marquee at Union South to watch REEL ROCK 14. REEL ROCK is annual film showing a compilation of outdoor adventure films that are screened worldwide. This is an event you won't want to miss. Tickets are FREE, but spots in the theater may be limited. No need to sign up before hand just get to the Marquee on November 18th. This event was made possible by both Hoofer Mountaineering and our sponsors: WCA, Fontana, Boulders, Adventure Rock, and Summit Strength and Fitness. Additionally, upon entrance you will recieve a ticket for a raffle item where you can receive one of the donations from our awesome sponsors.