The Doe Traverse's significance today

Today, the Doe Traverse remains the most-climbed building on campus, and it reflects many ideas that define the sport. Completing the Traverse does not reward the climber with any special view of campus or position that is difficult to get to otherwise. It is far from risky, as the Traverse never rises above a foot or two above the ground. The Traverse is not in a heavily-trafficked area where non-climbers would walk by and be impressed by the ways in which climbers stick to the side of the building. The Traverse is, however, a testament to the history of climbing on campus, and its role in the development of the sport of climbing itself.

Berkeley epitomizes many of the aspects that make the climbing community what it is, and Berkeley and the Bay Area have long been home to some of the largest collections of climbers in the country. America’s largest climbing gym is under ten miles away in Oakland¹, and the number of climbing gyms within 5 miles of UC Berkeley is slated to double within the next year (including an on-campus gym in the Rec Sports Facility). Although the culture of climbing has shifted over time from a way to push oneself in the mountains to a more mainstream way to stay active, its roots remain pure to adventure.

On certain evenings one can find small groups of climbers in the corner of Doe, carefully stepping on the edges and pulling themselves around the many corners of the Traverse.

1. Pacific Pipe, May 9, 2022. https://touchstoneclimbing.com/pacific-pipe/.

2. Wills, Colin. Photo by Zoe Silverman. Various Photographs and Videos, 2019-2022.