U of I: Following Fall, Rock Climbing Wall Remains Closed; Review Ongoing

A 53-foot-tall rock climbing wall on University of Iowa campus remains closed as school officials continue a review of an incident in which a student survived a 30- to 40-foot fall.

News reports had the wall reopening today, but university spokesman Tom Moore said it remains closed.

"The climbing wall is not open," Moore said in an email. "It remains closed because the review of the incident is ongoing."

Moore added "there is no set timeline" for reopening. And, that the review will include "all of the potential factors that could have contributed to the incident."

Shortly before 10 p.m. on Nov. 8, Spencer Bean, a UI senior, survived after the estimated 30- to 40-foot fall. The Daily Iowan reports that Bean is an experienced climber.

It remains unclear what led to the fall. 

Bean landed on his feet, crushing two vertebrae and was rushed to the emergency room for an 8-hour surgery, according to a blog called Check on Spencer that is is providing updates about his recovery. He has been able to get up and walk around.

The wall, among the tallest on university campuses around the country, excites climbers from novices to experts.

The wall is one of the most prominent features of the $70 million Campus Recreation and Wellness Center at the southwest corner of Burlington and Madison streets. The center opened in 2010.