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climber49er
Aug 17, 2007, 6:38 PM
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Registered: Mar 8, 2003
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Hey all, I plan to build a climbing wall on the outside of my shed in the near future. I can go about 16' wide and at least 12' tall. Keep in mind I have children that will want to climb on it also, ages 3-10. I have several questions I would like input on: 1) Would you go the full 12' high or is that getting to high for the kiddos? I feel like lower will bore me horribly. 2) If I build a topout it seems 12' is to high, what height would you go with? 3) what angle(s) would you prefer? I plan to have at least two distinct angles, somewhere between vertical and 30 degrees overhung. 4) I live in a severe cold/snowy/wet climate. Is treated plywood and framing the only way to go or would a couple layers of paint provide enough protection. (I tend to think treated is the far better choice, I'm trying to see if I can save $$$) treated 3/4" plywood is like 50 a sheet here, ugh. 5) Any other thoughts at all? I have a pretty blank slate as far as what I can do, I'm just hoping for a semi-consensus on what would be optimal for the fun/training/children balance.
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reg
Aug 17, 2007, 7:06 PM
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Registered: Nov 10, 2004
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climber49er wrote: Hey all, I plan to build a climbing wall on the outside of my shed in the near future. I can go about 16' wide and at least 12' tall. Keep in mind I have children that will want to climb on it also, ages 3-10. I have several questions I would like input on: 1) Would you go the full 12' high or is that getting to high for the kiddos? I feel like lower will bore me horribly. i'm gonna give some of these a shot. i've never built a climbing wall but i have built ah bunch of other stuff and some of it is still standing! you talkin about a bouldering wall or roped climbing?you can go "at least" 12'? go higher if you can. no kids allowed with out supervision. bored? put in ah roof and change the holds a lot.
climber49er wrote: 2) If I build a topout it seems 12' is to high, what height would you go with? i quess it's a bouldering wall then so, i don't know this one - maybe personal preference. u can break an ankle from 12' - hell u can do that from 1'
climber49er wrote: 3) what angle(s) would you prefer? I plan to have at least two distinct angles, somewhere between vertical and 30 degrees overhung. sounds good. could they be adjustable???
climber49er wrote: 4) I live in a severe cold/snowy/wet climate. Is treated plywood and framing the only way to go or would a couple layers of paint provide enough protection. (I tend to think treated is the far better choice, I'm trying to see if I can save $$$) treated 3/4" plywood is like 50 a sheet here, ugh. treated or not - you should paint. non-treated wood will last under paint but the action of climbing will deteriorate the paint envelope and you'll be painting two times a year!
climber49er wrote: 5) Any other thoughts at all? I have a pretty blank slate as far as what I can do, I'm just hoping for a semi-consensus on what would be optimal for the fun/training/children balance. how about a whole obstacle course thing with a smaller wall included - less plywood! you could have rope climbing, pendulum dodgeing, bury a 2x4 - 2"side up for a balance beam, etc - u get the picture. - have fun with all that - ur a good dad
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climber49er
Aug 17, 2007, 7:57 PM
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Registered: Mar 8, 2003
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A few more points of clarification: Yes, its a "bouldering wall" I thought about going 20 feet or so and putting up top ropes but I think thats really asking for trouble. I do think 12' is too high for a top out. What would be a good height for a top out section? I dont feel like messing with adjustable walls. treated or not, I'm going to paint. I just wondered if paint would be "enough". Probably not. Whats a good formula for getting a nice texture on the wall?
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hiyapokey
Aug 17, 2007, 9:51 PM
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Registered: Jul 6, 2006
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I built a swing set for my kids with rock climbing holds on it. If you get treated wood, it shrinks a lot and during that period of curing you'll have to tighten the holds once a week. If you end up drilling holes through two by fours make sure you get the longer bolts to reach your t-nuts.
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HarklessDO
Aug 17, 2007, 10:48 PM
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Registered: Jan 29, 2007
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I will answer a few of these. My oldest is only 4 so keep that in mind as you read this. 1. Is twelve feet to high for kids. The answer is yes. When I built a wall for a camp I put a red line on the wall at 8 feet that I did not let hands go above. 2. As long as angled section is top out I think you are ok. 3. My wall is at vertical and 22ish degrees. See my profile and pics to see. My angled wall my kids really can't get off the ground so I think if you make the angle 20 plus degrees you should be safe without having to worry about the kids. The older kids that may be able to use it should be able to monitor themselves to not go to high. I would paint a line so they have a visual of what is to high. If you want the kids to use it I would build a 8x8 vertical or minimal <10 degrees angled wall that the kids can use and a >20 degree wall that is more for you that is 12x8. 4. I live in PA and my wall is built in and outside my carport. I did not use any treated wood on the initial wall. I used one layer of ext. primer and one coat of ext latex and one layer of texture paint. It has held up well under the snow. It may however be cheaper to buy treated vs all the paint and man hours. Other than this if you have any questions fire away. Check out my pics cause I built mine primarily as a traverse wall and with kids in mind to be on it.
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N_Oo_B
Aug 25, 2007, 6:59 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Registered: May 21, 2007
Posts: 463
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great idea with the line. even at only 12ft you'll feel cramped, but use every inch of it down to a sitting start on the overhanging if nessary! my 2 cents.
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bigfatrock
Aug 30, 2007, 7:20 PM
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Registered: Aug 2, 2006
Posts: 1321
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My wall is outdoors, and I would definitely use pressure treated wood and paint it with primer and a coat of your color choice. I have a picture of mine in my member gallery. It is at a 20 degree angle. We made it to be adjustable but we need to make a modification to the base before it will actually work. We just haven't got around to getting a crew of four guys out to take the wall down. If you have a good selection of holds I would say 20 degrees is good. We mainly have a lot of small holds so it makes it hard for us. We often wish we could adjust our angle.
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