The COP Climbing Wall

The COP climbing wall was built in 1998 by its own climbers. The wall is 16-ft square on the inside with a 32-ft high climbing surface for a total of over 2,000 sq ft of climbing surface area. There are 16 ropes on the inside and 4 more ropes on the outside. The climbing routes vary from easy to difficult and include roof and overhang sections. Power for lighting and heating is provided by a portable generator.

DIRECTIONS

The wall is located in Licking County, approximately 3 miles outside of Granville, Ohio. It is well-concealed on a remote field and may be difficult to find for the first time. Please contact the Rock Climbing Activity Leader for if you plan on coming out to the wall and for further directions.

Directions to the wall...

...from southern Columbus, take I-70 east to exit #122 - "Kirkersville Baltimore." Turn left (north) onto Outville Road. Continue north through Kirkersville. Continue heading north through the flashing light at State Route 16, passing the State Highway Patrol Station on the right. Wesleyan Church Road will be the first street on the right after the Highway Patrol Station. (see map below.)

...from northern Columbus, take I-161 east as it turns in SR 37. Continue heading east and turn right (south) on Outville Road. A sign for the State Highway Patrol Station also indicates this intersection. Drive 2.5 miles, crossing Morse Road, and turn left onto Wesleyan Church Road. Because of the construction on I-161, Morse Road may be a good alternate. Take Morse Road to the stop sign at Outville Road and turn right (south). Wesleyan Church Road will be on the left. (see map below.)

The map below describes how to find the climbing wall from Outville and Wesleyan Church Roads. From Outville Road, drive east on Wesleyan Church Road approximately 0.6 miles and spot a big, red barn on the left. The drive back to the wall is the first drive on the left past this barn. There is no sign and you cannot see the wall from the road. The gravel drive runs back alongside a farm field. The climbing wall is located behind the field in the woods. Please do NOT drive back to the wall when the ground is wet, but rather park near the road and walk back.

CONSTRUCTION

The wall was constructed by its own climbers in 1998. Four 50-gallon barrels of concrete make up the footer at the corners. It has 20 tons of gravel as a base with another 20 tons of grit to provide the floor. It was constructed using 4'x4' ladder framing with sheathing of 3/4" plywood. Plywood was later added to the outside surface for climbing during warm weather. Later, one side of the wall was extended out to create roof and overhang sections.

(Click on pictures for full size view)

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