Investigation of qualities and quantities of artificial climbing walls in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to examine the qualities and quantities of artificial climbing walls in Turkey. Climbing walls were examined with regard to their construction years, heights, surface dimensions, climbable surface dimensions, indoor or outdoor environment, which style is suitable for rock climbing and structural materials. According to building year variable, the number of artificial climbing walls is as follows; 2 walls in 2000 and earlier, 1 wall between 2001 and 2005, 13 walls between 2006 and 2010, 18 walls between 2011 and 2015, 25 walls between 2015 and 2019. In bouldering style, there are 3 walls (14,29%) between 3 and 4 meters height, 18 walls (85,71%) between 4,01 and 5 meters. According to frequencies of wall heights with regard to lead climbing style, there are 13 walls (27,08%) between 6 - 8 meters, 10 walls (20,84%) between 9 - 11 meters, and 25 walls (52%) 12 meters and above. According to heights of speed climbing walls, there are 6 walls (25%) 10 meters height and 2 walls (75%) 15 meters height. According to climbing surface, there are 25 walls (42,38%) below 150 m2, 17 walls (28.81%) between 151 m2 and 300 m2 , 17 walls (28,81%) 300 m2 and above. According to indoor or outdoor status of walls, 42 walls (71,19%) are indoors and 17 walls (28,81%) are outdoors. A total of 21 walls (27,27%) is suitable for bouldering, 48 walls (62,34%) for Lead Climbing, and 8 walls (10,39%) for Speed Climbing. According to structural materials of climbing wall, 50 walls (84,75%) are made of wood, 8 walls (13,56%) made of fiber and 1 wall (1,69%) is made of concrete. As a result of the current research, it was determined that the number of climbing walls in Türkiye is insufficient. Moreover, it is thought that the existing walls cannot meet the needs. More climbing walls with better qualities are suggested to be built. Keywords: Rock climbing, Climbing Wall, Recreation