From conquering the rock wall at local Madison gyms to traveling far and wide in search of the most legendary climbs in the country and beyond, Mountaineering Club members take trips that challenge climbers of all levels.
The Hoofer Mountaineering Club is a student-run organization that wants to keep people out on the rocks, while also maintaining a collective of knowledgeable climbers who can both learn from and teach one another. We love teaching new members and we love getting people together to go out and climb as a community, whether it be at the classic Devil's Lake or as far as Spain! We run both club trips and more relaxed unofficial trips for last-minute planners. If you're more experienced, if you're looking to improve or to even just get started, we also offer a climbing team!
A membership with Hoofer Mountaineering gives you access to our gear locker, as well as discounts at the climbing wall in the Sett.
FAQs
What is Mountaineering?
The Hoofer Mountaineering Club is a student-run organization of climbers that want to keep people out on the rocks, while also maintaining a collective of knowledgeable climbers who can both teach and pass on their knowledge to others.
How do I get started?
To join, you can either purchase a membership online or sign up in-person at the Outdoor Programs Office. We hope to see you at HMC meetings, clinics, socials, and events in the future!
How often does Mountaineering hold events?
You can expect weekly meetings, socials, clinics, and trips.
What kinds of events does Mountaineering have?
Hoofer Mountaineering general meetings are held every Thursday at 7pm in Mendota Lounge. In addition, we hold technical skill clinics, climbing socials at local gyms and crags, and regional and global trips.
Where do you go to climb?
With Devils Lake, Governor Dodge, Necedah, and Hillbilly Hollow in our own backyard, we utilize our local crags to their fullest potential.
Some of our further destinations have included Puerto Rico, Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, the Margalef and Siurana crags outside of Barcelona, and Red Rock Canyon. The annual trip to Red River Gorge for Halloween is a fan-favorite as well.
What is the climbing team?
If you're looking to sharpen your climbing skills, train, socialize, and compete, Hoofer Climbing Team is for you! You can learn more here!
How can I sign up for events?
Become a member!
Do you provide gear?
We sure do. We offer anything and everything a climber may require, so you shouldn't need anything of your own.
Check Us Out on Instagram
View this profile on InstagramHoofer Mountaineering Club (@hoofer_mountaineering) • Instagram photos and videos
How to Join
1. Create your Account!
When you're ready to join, head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You must be a Union Member to join. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
2. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined the club, you can search for events and sign up from the member site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
For more information, click the button below!
Contact Us
Hoofer Mountaineering Club
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hoofermountaineering.org
Contact Us
News
HMC ventured down to Puerto Rico this Winter Break! Some beautiful weather and stellar sport climbing makes for a good couple weeks.
The club heads out to the Red Rocks area annually for some of the best sport climbing in the country. This year, the group stayed in the Las Vegas area. Two weeks of good times!
Annual Halloween weekend trip to the Red! HMC camps at the legendary Miguel's Pizza campground every year, and sport climbs some most legendary crags.
The annual HMC Welcome Weekend makes its return for 2023! Almost 60 folks gathered at Devil's Lake for a stellar day of top rope climbing at the Railroad Amphitheater and Birthday crags on Saturday followed by a good ole fashioned cookout by the lake. A bunch of others stayed for the whole weekend at the club's reserved campgrounds, and got some more climbing in on Sunday!
As the Black Hills trip came to a close, a couple trip leaders traveled out to Devil's Tower! All 6 of them made it to the summit after a day of gnarly multipitch trad climbing!!
Upcoming Events
Sport Climbing Clinic - Hillbilly Hollow
Sam and I are running a beginners sport climbing clinic at Hillbilly Hollow this Saturday 4/20!. We will meet at the Memorial Union circle at 8 am and head out shortly after. Our return time is flexible, but we hope to be back before 7pm.
If you have them, bring your climbing shoes, harness, helmet and belay device, otherwise all of these can be rented from the gear locker no problem.
Also, bring your own snacks, lunch, and plenty of water!!
It is recommended that participants have some familiarity and confidence top rope belaying and climbing in order to get the most out of this clinic. If you don't have a top rope rating yet, you can gain one at the gear manager's offiice hours, after the weekly general meeting or by setting up a meeting with arremus@wisc.edu or education@hoofermountaineering.org.
Kubi's Klassik Bouldering Competition
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Join the Hoofer Mountaineering Climbing Team at UW-Madison for our 6th annual fundraising competition 'Kubi's Klassik'! This bouldering competition will feature 6 mini competitions and is designed to be inclusive for climbers of all experience and skill levels. Climbing will be from 1pm to 4pm followed by scoring and awards for each category. Registration is $25, but worth every penny. Kubi's Klassik is always a blast and we have tons of prizes to give away! We hope to see you there for a full day of awesome climbing!
Competition Categories
- Most sends
- Dyno compeition
- Fastest cave top-out
- Longest deadhang
- Fastest one arm traverse
- Fastest clipping traverse
Sponsored by Fontana Sports, Ian's Pizza, Wisconsin Climbing Association, American Alpine Club, and more!!
*Anyone new to Summit Strength and Fitness needs to sign this waiver: https://trainclimbsummit.com/waiver*
Devil's Lake Climb & Clean with WUD Alt Breaks
Howdy folks,
Join us on Sunday, April 21st for a good old-fashioned Earth Day crag cleanup with WUD Alternative Breaks! There, we will clean up our beloved park, have a potluck-style lunch, and if time remains, go climb some rocks or go on a hike! We will begin our festivities at the South Shore parking lot at 9 am and finish around 2 pm. You can expect to be back in Madison around 3:30 pm.
Items to bring:
- At least 2L of water
- Sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes
- Sun protection
*can be rented from HMC, email a gear manager (gearmanager@hoofermountaineering.org) to reserve
Transportation:
- Carpool with us! There will be 20 spots open that are first come, first serve. If you have transportation and want to meet us there, shoot me an email (mountaineering@hoofers.org)
- Meet at Memorial Union Circle (parking circle between Memorial Union and Helen C. White hall) at 8 AM to carpool, otherwise you can meet at the South Shore parking lot at 9 am.
Question? Email mountaineering@hoofers.org
Gear Manager Office Hours
Gear Manager Office hours is a time to get gear and ratings from the gear managers. This even occurs every monday during the spring semester from 4-5pm.
Stoke + Treat Night with Hoofer Mountaineering
Hi Mountaineers!
Come join us in Mendota Lodge on April 25th to eat some sweet treats and get stoked for outdoor climbing! There, we will hear from our incoming VP of education about all the incredible forms of climbing. From ice climbing to trad multi-pitches, there is more to rock climbing than plastic hold and 30ft walls. During this meeting, you will learn what trad multi-pitch climbing is and how incredibly amazing outdoor rock climbing can be. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber HMC wants to help you achieve your rock climbing goals. Come with questions, suggestions, ideas, and passion for this incredible sport! We want to hear from you about your goals and aspirations so we can run more clinics and socials that will benefit you!
Arbor Day at Devil's Lake
Hi folks,
Join us for another year at Devil's Lake for Arbor Day with Devil's Lake Climbing Guides. We are aiming to plant 60-80 trees in the Quartize Campground on the north end of the park. All details regarding the tree-planting aspect of this event can be found here! PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RSVP THROUGH THAT SITE PRIOR TO SIGNING UP FOR THIS EVENT! Afterwards, we will be joining forces with another crew of Mountaineers to hang out at the Lake and boulder! Note that I will be taking my personal vehicle and will expect everyone to pitch in a few bucks for gas!!! :)
Plenty of fun to be had -- you should really consider coming to this one!
- Claire
Trailer Training #4
If you anticipate using a FLEET/DOA VEHICLE to tow a Hoofer-owned trailer at any point this fall or winter, then attend this class to get your trailer towing certification! This would include towing a sailboat for lift-out, towing the horse trailer, towing the alpine ski trailer, or possibly towing the outing club canoe trailer. Please note that if someone cannot make this class, other trailer trainings will be offered in the future. Outdoor UW plans on running two trainings each semester. FLEET AUTHORIZATION WITH WISCONSIN HOOFERS IS REQUIRED. If you are fleet authorized with another UW department, you must submit paperwork with our office as well to become fleet authorized with Hoofers. There is no cost for the class. We will meet virtually before the in-person driving demonstration to get started and review the basics. After a short presentation, we will be leaving our meeting location to go to LOT 60 (by the UW Hospital) to perform the hands-on portion of the training—dress for being outside.
Previous experience driving a trailer is not required for this training, however, it is helpful as the in-person section doesn't provide much time to practice but instead is mostly meant to demonstrate skills and ability to drive a vehicle with a trailer.
If there are questions please reach out to Dan @ ddunne@wisc.edu. A Zoom link for the virtual component of this training will be sent to participants who are registered the day before the event.
Bouldering Social in Devil's Lake - Extension of Arbor Day celebration
We are going to meet up with fellow hoofers who spent the morning at Devil's lake for arbor day and have some fun bouldering. All levels of climbing experience welcome! Please be at memorial union by 12:45 to help load up the car.
Devil's Lake Bouldering: Reserve
Hey folks,
Are you looking to get out and have a fun day of bouldering with fellow hoofers? Well you have come to the right place. We are going to spend the day at the reserve, a really fun and classic part of Devil's Lake bouldering. Never been outdoor bouldering? All good, beginners welcome.
Gear Manager Office Hours
Gear Manager Office hours is a time to get gear and ratings from the gear managers. This even occurs every monday during the spring semester from 4-5pm.
Outdoor Explorer Series (Introductory Course): Intro Expeditionary Canoeing
Have you ever wanted to take an overnight or multi day paddling trip, but not know what you need to do this successfully?
Join us for our new Outdoor Explorer Series: Intro to Expeditionary Canoeing and learn all about the thrilling world of expeditionary canoeing! Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, where tranquil waters meet untamed landscapes, and discover the art of paddling through uncharted territories.
This class will:
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Guide you through the basics of canoeing, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for both beginners and seasoned paddlers
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Teach you essential skills so you can confidently embark on your own canoeing expeditions.
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Discuss safety and equip you with the knowledge to navigate waterways responsibly.
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Share tips to help you connect with nature while in a canoe and discover hidden coves, witness wildlife in their natural habitat, and experience the tranquility that only expeditionary canoeing can offer.
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. Join our Expeditionary Canoeing Class today and let the adventure begin!
------- Class is located in the Mendota Lodge located in Memorial Union (along the lakefront and across from the Outdoor UW office) -------
Gear Manager Office Hours
Gear Manager Office hours is a time to get gear and ratings from the gear managers. This even occurs every monday during the spring semester from 4-5pm.