Freshman climber Nick Rothamer on the Inland Wall. Photo by Finlee Matejcek

Every other Monday, the Queer Climbing Collective meets at the UMD Inland Climbing Wall to hone their skills and have a good time. These recurring events are open to students looking for a safe queer space and want to try a new hobby or refine an old one.

“I was so excited when I heard about the Queer Climbing Collective because I get really nervous around people and the North Shore Wall is always super busy and I was worried that the first time I went climbing I wouldn't know what to do,” said freshman Nick Rothamer. “So being able to come here with people I knew would be kind made that a little easier.”

“Then I got here and everyone was just so amazing and so nice and I was like ‘Yes, I found something that works!’” they continued. Despite only picking up the sport a few months ago, Nick tackles the wall like a seasoned professional.

Even though it was the first climbing wall on campus, many people don’t know the Inland Wall exists. As opposed to the North Shore Wall, which is in the main gym area, the Inland is a closed off space located behind the ice rink that allows for beginner climbers to feel safe, according to student climbers.

The QCC was established in the spring of 2022 by UMD students Kamrie Frost, Steph Comfort and Taylor Stewart with the goal of creating “a safe space for queer and gender queer folks to get to know others and lift any barriers they may be feeling when wanting to try out climbing at UMD,” Frost said.

In order to access the North Shore and Inland walls, UMD students must purchase a day pass for $15 or a semester pass for $30. The Inland Wall is partly made up of “natural rock that was taken from around the state of Minnesota and placed in here,” according to Erin Schommer, a UMD sophomore and RSOP employee who has been climbing for six years.

“For me, I really enjoy having a space where queer people can come together and do something active together,” Schommer said. “Queer people often get a reputation of not being athletic, and this allows them a space to feel physically strong and brave.”

“Climbing can also be a very closed and male dominated space, and can be very intimidating to new climbers, especially those who don't present the way of your stereotypical climber,” Schommer continued “Overall, QCC is an incredibly open and inclusive space where we want people to feel they can just be themselves.”

Climbers in the Inland Walls bouldering cave, following paths marked by colored holds and tape. Photo by Finlee Matejcek

Climbing is a big part of UMD culture and is a draw for incoming students. Groups such as the QCC work to increase enrollment and involvement.

“When I was looking at schools to go to, the one thing I said was ‘I want to go to a school with a cool climbing wall’ because I've always thought climbing was super cool but in my hometown we didn't have anywhere to do it,” Rothamer said.

Rothamer’s confidence on the wall has been growing and like many other students, QCC has provided a comfortable environment to foster that growth.

“I just love it so much and climbing here gave me the confidence to go climb with Women on The Wall and then climbing there gave me the confidence to climb on the North Shore Wall,” Rothamer said.

To take part in the fun, attend the next Queer Climbing Collective session on March 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the Inland Wall. Women on The Wall is also an inclusive climbing environment for women-identifying people that is held on the Inland Climbing Wall.

Follow @rsopclimbing on Instagram to learn more about UMD’s climbing community and how to get involved.

Queer Climbing Collective Creates a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Students