Bouldering Cave

A big part of the new kid’s project is turning our under-the-stairs closet into a bouldering cave.

The space has been nearly empty for almost a year, so I think it’s safe to say we don’t really need it for storage.

There’s a couple of things to point out in this picture.

First, the wall on the right is the wall between the closet and the “playroom”. This is where the kids will climb up the inside of the closet to a hole through the wall to the tube slide on the other side.

Second, the underside of the stairs provide a perfect low height, semi-steep angled ceiling for the kids to try climbing. Personally I’m not a fan of climbing upside down, but it is a great way to build strength and hone skills quickly.

Third, the doors at the back access a tiny crawl space like area under the landing of our stairs – essentially our foyer. This is where the hideout will go. I’ll insulate, drywall, light and carpet it to make it cozy. There’s a possibility I’ll even add another door through the right wall/climbing wall into the playroom, but that’s a bubble item at this point.

The plan is to rip out all the paneling and drywall to replace it with 3/4″ plywood drilled and t-nutted for climbing holds. I’ll also have to do some framing in the ceiling and in the wall where the slide will attach.

There’s also a significant amount of electrical work to be done. I need to move/replace the current bare bulb fixture in the ceiling with something enclosed and protected like a recessed LED. I’m going to tie it into a motion sensor switch so the kids (me actually) don’t have to worry about turning off the light when they’re not playing in there. Lighting in the hideout will also be switchable (within the hideout), but ultimately tied to a switch in the hallway or playroom, so it’s only live if some other (more obvious) light is on. I could do a motion sensor switch in there too, but figured the girls would actually like their own controllable switch to turn on/off as they like.

As always, stay tuned.

– b