We request the protection of the UW Climbing Rock as a structure deserving a high level of preservation and recognition.

The UW Rock, built in the 1970’s, exemplifies the many qualities noted in landmark structures, such as its age, unique architecture, and history of use by the Seattle climbing community. Many of Seattle’s renowned climbers began their training at the UW Rock, and still use and cherish it.

The Draft University of Washington 2018 Campus Master Plan (CMP) shows an unidentified 160 ft tall building sited where the current UW Rock wall sits, located at the southern end of Husky stadium and just west of the UW Waterfront Activities Center. The CMP does not note or mention the UW Rock in any section, or show the UW Rock on any map.  As one of the guiding principles of the CMP is “Stewardship of Historic and Cultural Resources,” we protest the exclusion of mention, and believe the UW Rock as a structure deserves a high level of preservation and recognition.

Internationally recognized, the UW Rock was one of first designated bouldering areas in the US and probably one of the earliest artificial climbing walls constructed. It was conceived by the UW Climbing Club, funded by ASUW, and designed in 1975 by the architects Anderson and Bell. With help from the local climbing community, the five walls of concrete and Index granite rock were constructed and poured onsite and completed in the spring of 1976. The walls are surrounded by a gravel bed to cushion falls.

It would be a tremendous loss to the Seattle climbing community and University of Washington if the UW Rock was removed, modified, or destroyed. A student who worked with the project and later graduated from the UW Civil Engineering department, believes it’s unlikely the UW Rock could be successfully moved, due to its massive foundation and an excessive cost.

Please update the 2018 CMP to recognize and protect the UW Climbing Rock, so that future generations of climbers may use and appreciate this great structure.