Making a Backyard Climbing Wall | DIY Outdoors

I wanted to make a climbing wall tower out at the farm to teach my kids bouldering and climbing. Using some construction lumber and some outdoor plywood, I show you how to make an awesome backyard climbing wall. Get Plans, Shirts, and more at shop.iltms.com
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Making a Backyard Climbing Wall | DIY Outdoors
• Making a Backyard Clim...
I Like To Make Stuff
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[@TheLopez2617]

Hey Bob, how about a rope Bridge. The columns would be separate from both structures, so you can make sure it's secure, then lay the deck attached by rope on it. It sounds very challenging but at the end it's a basic statics problem. A big downside is the loss of one of the 4 walls functionality.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Love this idea!

[@RDGoodner]

I scrolled down to the comments just to say "rope bridge." :)

[@ncot_tech]

Yeah rope bridge or the kind with the wooden planks/logs chained to each other. I used to work at an outdoor centre with an area like this, you can get pretty creative. We built a massive swing between two trees over a small river, and a giant pole you climbed up and had to stand on the top of before jumping off. All of it was done wearing a harness with someone belaying though so we could make pretty intense things that felt far more dangerous than they were.

[@8-BitEngineer]

Came here to suggest a rope bridge as well. That would be killer and would be a great learning experience on how to make one.

[@kz.irudimen]

A rope bridge would definitely be badass

[@djnorm98]

In our industry we add 1/2" screws to each t-nut to keep them from rotating in the future. Might be a good idea what with it being outside. Looks great!

[@liteguy38]

You could make a cool draw bridge that moves and is attached to the tree house, a rope bridge, or install rope netting, almost like a hammock, that way it could be a cool place to lie out and chill. Great job on this! I totally would hang out inside the climbing wall!

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

I definitely need to build one of these, if for no other reason than making it NOT perfect is totally acceptable, and actually almost preferred! 🤣

[@Turtleboi32]

Just got to be sure it's still stable. 🤣

[@ettore760]

If you want to use metal for the core and you need suggestions feel free to as me. I build one a year ago and it's super fun. (8m² on the outside, attached to house walls)

[@ragamuffin09]

Awesome, love rock climbing! Should probably have some fall mats just in case maybe? For another project, you should make your own disc golf baskets, and setup a small course on your farm property! Looks like a good amount of space for it.

[@jkxcreations1937]

Bob already has. Just search up disc golf on his channel.

[@BooglesMcGee]

Could use the climbing wall thing as a storage shed to hold the mats when not in use

[@DILLIGAF65]

Next on "I Like To Make Stuff" , Building a first aid station at the Farm. 😀 In all seriousness I would definitely put something soft (sand/mulch) around the climbing wall, it may not be that high but even a 6 inch drop can bugger up an ankle pretty good.

[@frogmann49]

I was going to say. “I hope your home owners insurance is paid up”

[@TactileLoki]

If you think mulch is soft you obviously never played on a playground with mulch

[@catgynt9148]

@@TactileLoki mulch is still better than rose and berry bushes.

[@DILLIGAF65]

@@TactileLoki If you think packed dirt is soft you apparently never landed on your ass after slipping off a swing or hitting the end result of a slide, I'd much rather land in mulch.

[@jonathansims525]

Hopefully he has some mobile crash pads he can bring out there.

[@withJordanFrank]

SO cool! Did I miss the part where there's a finish put on the structure? Won't the exposed plywood get pretty damaged with a lot of rain? Or would it just be cosmetic?

[@sophia4953]

Pressure treated doesn’t need finish outside

[@life_behind_bars]

Pretty cool climbing wall. I built one in my garage years ago to help train during the off season. One trick I did was to use liquid nails on the back of the t-nuts to make sure they didn't pop out the back and fall back behind the wall. Saved me from having to pull a whole panel down to retrieve a loose t-nut. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@adny802]

I also love the idea of a rope bridge to connect the two. Simple and fun

[@Skrap007]

I like using the Tnut with a flange with screw holes in them, Lowe’s has zinc coated ones but some online places have the stainless version for a few cents more. Way easier install, and I use them in other woodworking projects as well. Now you need to build a crack out of bondo, we did that years ago on a 2x12 I think about 12’ long. Forget how many gallons of bondo went into it with an aluminum foil base to take up some room and get a rough structure going. We put it on a 7’ tall fence and had the bottom start at about 3’ off the ground, we quickly got in trouble at the camp and had to move it to a less seen area. With the price of plywood right now, the climbing holds might be the cheapest part of a climbing wall LOL.

[@whozeppelin224]

This is SO incredibly awesome.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@M4st3r0fN0n3]

Thats a perfect spot for a rope and plank bridge! Excellent skills to learn plus it looks super dope!

[@CodeProfessor]

You may want to check what your t-nuts and bolts are made of. I built a similar climbing wall 2 years ago and all of the handhold bolts and t-nuts are rusting. The ones I used looked the same as yours and they came in a kit that was meant for outdoor use. If I could go back I would have either used something different or I would have sprayed the hardware with something while I was installing it.

[@dylan-nguyen]

I think ur supposed to use galvanized nails bc most screws don’t have shear strength so when climbing a screw could easily snap in half 😨

[@raymondcarrick8132]

Great work, looks amazing. Maybe you could connect the two builds with a rope bridge with wooden steps.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That's the plan!

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

Even though 2 feet is deep enough for the frost line, but also the height and weight of the structure may impact how deep the structure/footings should be. In an area where there are nasty winds, it may need deeper footings to keep it from becoming a sail.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

True, but this structure is deep in a thick patch of trees that will hopefully help dampen the wind.

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

@@Iliketomakestuff I thought about that, but just wanted to mention it. Our area doesn't have many trees and we have had several days just this year where there have been sustained winds 60+ MPH, so I am thinking about that.

[@DavidLeeKersey]

The standard rule I learned was a third of your height above ground should be how far you go into the ground so for a 10 foot tall structure you should be 3.3 feet in the ground.

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

@@DavidLeeKersey good to know

[@projekt6_official]

Could always build some “outriggers” that tie to deeper anchors if it ever becomes an issue.

[@JonathanRansom]

Looks like a fun time!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It really is!

[@ga1205]

That looks dangerously awesome.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Bob! 😃 It's going to be a pretty fun place there!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Xuvier]

This is awesome.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I appreciate it!

[@ScottHaun]

epic!

[@etedrowable]

Could you please do a bits video on the different kinds of screws for an application like this? I've heard of drywall and decking screws before, but I'm not sure what you mean when you say "structural screws". It'd be nice to have some guidance on how to differentiate between them all when I'm planning out a project and going to the store to purchase them.

[@Cadeh13862]

Heck yeah! And and under cling wall over to the platforms posts would be cool!

[@ChristianBehnke]

Done is better than perfect! Looks like fun. 🙃

[@Critters]

Looks amazing! I want to build something like this in my basement at some point.

[@sethlaske6338]

This seems awesome. I wish I could make one and make it look like a castle gate. Some nice overhang options and would look awesome

[@peterjf7723]

That's a fabulous structure with a lot of potential. Nothing as complex as yours, but when I was ten my father built me a seven foot high platform at the bottom of the garden. There was a ladder to get up to the platform and to get down there was a wooden slide and a foreman's pole made from a scaffold pole that went through s hole in the platform. Later we added walls round the top made from fencing panels. I and my friends had a lot of fun with that structure. It lasted about five or six years.

[@royaldaxter125]

That Spider animation of them going over the screen almost made me throw my phone 🤣🤣 keeping us on our toes

[@jasonthomashorn4794]

The inside would make a great fort! And you can use craft paper and a staple gun to make quick templates for the plywood.

[@kyfore]

Love this! The farm seems like it's getting more fun with every video. An idea for how to connect them would be a legit Indiana Jones style rope and slat bridge. Even a rope balance bridge (three strands) would be fun too!

[@jameshunter6121]

I had a thought from the start, I'd use the inside as a place to store my extra holds, making sure to keep them from getting wet. Means, as you find more interesting holds, you can keep them all together in one place and reset the climbs with all the major components nearby

[@treecarcasstweaking1555]

Hay Bob… looks awesome.. the connections got to be a rope bridge surely 👍🏻 Keep up the good work 😊

[@HDBrown-wc9xt]

To connect the climbing tower to the zip line platform you could make a chain Bridge. I had one on my fort growing up. My dad used four chains and bolted 2x4s for the walkway to two of the bottom ones and the top were the rails.

[@BourbonSauced]

Fireman pole in the center leading out from the bottom would be neat too. And maybe some climbing bolts to add climbing ropes for practicing lead climbing, rappel, etc.

[@thePunisher95125]

Nicely done. For connecting them try including some kind high ropes course.

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola! 🖐 That looked like it was loads of fun. To connect the two, how about a type of bridge that is weirdly shaped above and monkey bars or rings below to make it more challenging. That would be fun, maybe. Take care and have a good one, Adios! 👊

[@steinerdaniel1992]

about that connection: either a rope bridge as already suggested or an overhanging climbing section with some kind of bridge on top. With that section, you'd have a rather difficult climbing section and an easy way to get over from the plattform.

[@MrAdamyt]

Hey, really nice project. One lesson I learned when I've build mine was to replace hammer-in t-nuts with screw-in t-nuts. Spinning t-nut is a disaster and it happened to me several times.

[@darodes]

Holy crap my boys would love this…..

[@FallLineJP]

Great build! One thing I’d point out is the side where you have a vertical slit open into the interior between the two faces, it seems to taper down into a sharp V at the bottom? If someone were to put their hand/arm in there then slip off the wall, their limb could easily become jammed in the V section. Would cover that opening up with plywood. Looking forward to seeing how you connect the two platforms. Getting lots of ideas here !

[@marsniper27]

Rope bridge is always fun

[@dragonclawcreations4817]

looks great, love to have one. you should do a single line rope bridge with guides.

[@gunsbuns3532]

Rope bridge would be sick

[@drewbdoo_]

The rope bridges seen on a lot of playgrounds would probably be the best... or if you wanted something different, maybe a "tightrope" with rails across.

[@Freeman42718]

cool

[@robgrova6250]

Rope bridge would be awesome to connect the 2 structures.... or rope with wooden slats to walk on

[@sjmaguirepdx]

Cool build, Bob! Suggestion for the future - Instead of a concrete block (which will eventually sink into the ground) to shore up the middle of the sagging framing, a 2x6 or 2x8 screwed into the side of the bottom plate should provide plenty of resistance to deflection... Think deck joist... To be fair - the plywood sheathing may be enough shear resistance to keep things from sagging too.

[@DaleHawkins]

If it looks straight, it is straight! 😜. Great project, Bob!

[@Craftlngo]

I really like your work on this climbing wall. I would consider making an entry hatch at one side, if you ever need to go inside the tower. So you don't have to unscrew a whole panel in a couple of years. Btw. I've seen you signing the Crimson Guitar build on the Makers Central!

[@lopaka76]

Connect the two with a rope bridge. Similar to Temple of Doom. Lol (Edit) well after scrolling a bit, it seems it is a popular idea. Lol (Edit 2) Almost forgot, as you were building it, I thought a climbing rope(s) would be an added source of fun, and secrete exercise. Maybe one with knots for added assistance or a straight rope. Or one of each off the back corners.

[@xnadave]

Suspension bridge! Bonus points for painting it rust-colored and adding lane lines and tiny little car stickers. And Starfleet headquarters.

[@BKRcustommotorbikes]

That wall is awesome!!! You should connect the platform with a rope bridge 😁

[@donaldstafford970]

Have you seen a Monkey Bridge? Only requires three main ropes/cable. One to walk on and then one for each hand. Then use smaller rope/cord to connect each hand rope down to the walking rope/cable. The shape of a V. used to build them at Scout camp or large camping events. Have you considered adding a Peg Board on one side. Helps with advanced climbers to improve hand eye coordination, plus even more strength.

[@lisaborder7127]

Rope Bridge! Giant Hammock!

[@craigjsanderson]

A giant cargo net between the structures would be cool

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on the climbing wall Bob! maybe you could connect the to buildings together with a rope bridge or something that you could climb threw to get to the other side :) anyways Thanks for sharing the video with us!👍💖😎JP

[@vicstir1]

Cave style climbing wall bridge, so you could climb on the underside of the bridge!

[@vDC2me]

Rope bridge from the deck of the wall to the tree house. If you like to make stuff, try to use plastic grocery bags to twist into rope.

[@davidbrennan7422]

Great work! I've been planning a indoor wall for some time, so I'll look out for that Metolius book. A few questions: is the foam method cheaper or faster for the footings? Because it seems like ready mix concrete bags would be a surer bet for now much money. Are you considering painting and texturing the wall like they have in climbing gyms?

[@FaZekiller-qe3uf]

the last time i watched you was years ago and you hadn't nearly this amount of subscribers. good job i guess.

[@chaintheguardien]

drawbridge. was thinking rope bridge but that would be more fun for a longer span. and knowing you there will be one of those later. for this short span a drawbridge connecting the two would probably be pretty fun.

[@earwaxuk]

Pefrect!

[@bencebrown2258]

I have the exact same shirt from the opening

[@WiredWorkshop]

Very cool project, those triangle tapers came out really nice. Also the top of that seems like a great spot to put a nerf gun turret. Actually that whole yard seems like an epic nerf war waiting to happen!

[@sverleis]

You had my sub when you stated that the spiders are friendly.

[@CascadeCreate]

Rope bridge all the way!

[@fidgetandtoys6000]

wow this guy must have aced geometry 🤓

[@ralphvanthoff]

You're lucky to be able to build something like that the raw way. Where I live, that would be taken apart by wind, weather and thermites in about 12 months.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That's a shame.

[@malloryrobinson6418]

I was thinking a cool bridge. Maybe a ILTMS version of a rope bridge!

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

For the top connection, maybe a rope bridge with rope handles on the sides

[@waterboy3032]

You could put the platforms together with a type of bridge (like a swaying bridge) for fun and/or a tunnel of sorts

[@transatlant1c]

Awesome! Definitely need some kind of fall protection though. Given its outside, matts might get ruined so instead maybe some of that pine bark they have around the swings at playgrounds, or something similar (there are some with rubber too I think). Would hate to see someone slip and fall near the top and hit the hard ground.

[@tequilahamster]

Hey Bob, how about connecting the two platforms via a metal chain bridge with rope rails and possible wooden runner beam at base? Would be good to see mix of metal work, woodwork and then work with creating rope handrails

[@TrevorLeeMusic]

For the connection. You should do an arch bridge with stationary or swinging monkey bars underneath.

[@marcmmclellan]

On the next episode of ILTMS: Spider boy is born!

[@willowrolin9957]

Having seen my parents build climbing walls professionally my whole life, this video is a different kind of watch for me ^^"

[@willowrolin9957]

the classic inside gymnasium wall is basically the same idea but with steel framing and resin and sand for a fake rock texture (they also did fiberglass structure with super fancy geometry, but that's a whole other level ^^")

[@CrosshairLunchbox]

Hi Bob, I'd like to see the process of augering the holes. How do you get 4 holes that are all square toeach other?

[@jameshuot3706]

i second the rope bridge idea! do you think you're gonna expand the play structure any more than that?

[@rarechips8349]

You should build a hangning bridge with cables. Cables on each side and planks hold on cables.

[@briannascott3899]

You should build a bridge over and a slide down from the climbing wall

[@MichaelRodgers670]

to prevent that sag, you could also connect a 2x4 down on the inside to the center where the sag is. I think your 2x6 or 2x8 you are using can sure up that load.

[@rockstarfan886]

Connect the platforms with a rope bridge that would be awesome

[@karlossmith3714]

Deffo connect then with a rope bridge! Would look so good! You could also get a slide or fireman’s pole to come off one of them

[@nzlemming]

Damn you, Bob! I thought the spiders were crawling across my screen! Almost needed a new laptop. 😄😄😄

[@thefluxlife]

Make another Zipline from deck to climb wall. Wooooohooooooo

[@rockincowgirl10]

Thats looks awesome! Although,warching you stand on the thing while making it made my anxiety skyrocket. I dont do well with heights.

[@surveyingfleaproductions]

You could have a drone shadow you during one of your favorite climbs, then recreate it with a 3D printer, then use that as your model. Idk. Reminded me of how they recreate room layouts to run through for tactical training. Simulate floor plans, simulate rock faces

[@terryclarke8300]

Make a rope bridge to connect them

[@scafleet]

Swing bridge!

[@429TURKDADDY]

Just so you know you rock!(climb lol). But, I enjoy the "bloopers" edits also man lol.

[@D2Kprime]

I would say a cargo-net would be a nice way to connect the two like on American Gladiators during the Eliminator round, but it probably wouldn't be safe or protected well enough from the elements. 😏

[@Iliketomakestuff]

We need more American Gladiator elements in the world. Great Idea!

[@coreyelliott4082]

Connect them with a rope bridge! I’m making my son a tree house and would love to see how you guys would do it.

[@printfab]

Hey Bob! You should use a robe bridge or monkey bars to connect both structures :)

[@kaitlyngrace1]

to connect the two things for sure add monkey bars if it would be safe underneath and then for above you could do something like a net with a close weave to walk across

[@MJ720]

Could put a solid floor to connect the two platforms then underneath it you could have a climbing roof parallel to the floor which would add some challenging routes for training/stronger climbers. You would want to buy a bouldering pad for a roof tho as you wouldn't want to land on the floor with your back.

[@MeleeTiger]

Could connect the tower to the tree-house with one or more of those V shaped rope bridges where it's got one thick one to walk on and two hand rail ropes?

[@TheImpybug]

You should build a ladder that connects the two. Like a hanging ladder. If that makes sense

[@BarttRoman]

That looks awesome! What about finishing? Is the wood weather proof?

[@shabithesnail7016]

Connect them with a rope bridge! It's a unique project and will be interesting to see you figure it out.

[@jasonbailey9139]

I think a rope bridge between the climbing wall and treehouse would be pretty cool and allow for the sway of the structures. Cool video as always. My only questions is how soft is that ground if you take a fall? I've never done any free climbing and take great comfort in my belay line. The bouldering room in the rock gym has a bunch mats all over the floor. Just curious as this what prevents me from seriously considering building something like this.

[@camryncorbet2925]

Maybe make a rope/wood bridge? That would be fun