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A girl wearing a blue shirt and magenta shorts, rock climbing up a wall outside.

The perfect training ground for climbers.

Members of the Climbing Team find organized training, coaching, travel, competition and abundant access to climbing within the Mountain Sports program at Western Colorado University.

The Gunnison Valley offers ideal training grounds for Western’s climbing team. With excellent locations for bouldering, sport climbing, and traditional climbing just minutes from campus athletes can hone their skills and work together to support one another’s goals. The team practices regularly during the week and competes on USA Climbing’s collegiate circuit.

The climbing team fosters an incredible sense of camaraderie and community where team members can chase improvement and accomplishment at any level of the sport. Along with local training and competition travel, the team also takes several trips to other Colorado areas, as well as to Utah and New Mexico. Head coach Chris Lindner brings a vast wealth of knowledge to the team that allows athletes to find connection and lifelong passion for the sport!

Western Mountain Sports Climbing Team

Get an idea of what the Climbing team is all about in this short video.


Dues: $700

Covers: Coaching, travel to climbing areas, camping meals, competition entry fees, lodging and uniforms.

Doesn’t Cover: Personal climbing equipment and gym membership

Season: September-April.

Practice:  Tuesday & Thursday 7:30-10 p.m. and Wednesday 6-8:30 a.m., unless otherwise notified of an outdoor travel practice

Coach:  Chris Lindner

Coaching Staff

Chris Lindner

Chris Lindner

Climbing Head Coach

Chris Lindner has been rock climbing for 35+ years. He was born into a climbing family in San Diego, CA and excelled early on, receiving his first sponsorship contract at age six after climbing the grade of 5.12. By age nine he was climbing 5.13 and then at the age of 16, after climbing his […]

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