Category: Climbing

Roof of Swift Hall - Northwestern University

3/18/2017

Overview

One of campus' few accessible roofs, Swift Hall is a central location on campus to climb and explore. This can be a good thing, because it offers a unique view of Northwestern at night, but it is equally dangerous. Do not visit this location during the day as visibility for students on the ground is very high. If you see someone that appears like they have spotted you... you probably want to climb back down *swiftly*

Instructions

The roof can be accessed via a fire escape ladder that hangs from the Northern half of the back of the building. This last segment of this ladder is almost always secured, but motivated or tall students can still grab a hold and pull themselves up. If you're as small as I am, a simple rope thrown over the lowest loop can make this feat ten times easier, especially if you make a foothold.

And of course, you might get lucky and find the ladder hanging down, as shown in the picture.

Snapshots from the top

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Hidden Treehouses

7/25/2016

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Overview

Next time you're by Storms Driving Range, walk around to the back and take a right to see the most well-built tree-house I've yet to explore. A second, smaller one lies nearby, but the first treehouse is where it's at. Warning: you'll have to cross a river to get into the field, which lies beyond Storms, unless you cross the grassy ridge in line with the middle of the driving range.

Treehouse One Location

Coordinates: 43.042407, -88.109729

Have you been to this site? What did you think? Leave any tips of your own or observations in the comments to help other explorers!

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Mill Domes

7/25/2016

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Overview

If you're afraid of heights, keep scrolling: this site marks the highest climbing structure I've been to. Climb a 30-foot ladder to the top of an old grain mill to see the blaze of city lights all around, then climb down to investigate the eerie glow of old boating buildings and other, less impressive towers with plenty of low roofs to traverse and a low threat for other explorers. Make sure you stop by the abandoned parking lot before you leave to add to the graffiti wall.

Directions

Park at Piggly Wiggly (6111 W Mequon Rd #2) or Central Bark and walk across the train tracks pictured, over the fence, and into the site, 43.218846, -87.986082. Climb over the pile of rocks to get to the rest of the site. It's a pretty big area to explore. The tower that you can climb should be obvious when you get there. Pictures below will help you identify the climbable structures.