Tracks: Rocking the gym
Climbing walls a hot spot amid the cold
By Sandra Fish, Special to the Rocky
Published November 10, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Video: When the rock in Eldorado Canyon is cold as ice and snow covers the approach trails in Clear Creek Canyon, there’s only one place for the hard-core rock climber to go: indoors.
Sure, indoor climbing gyms offer a great place for climbers to stay in shape over the winter. But these days, indoor climbing gyms aren’t just for the experts. Most gyms also welcome families and beginners, offering basic classes, kids’ birthday parties and a welcoming atmosphere. Watch »
Photo by Joshua Duplechian / Special To The Rocky
Specialty equipment - such as carabiners and harnesses - is used at all rock climbing walls, indoor and outdoor.
When the rock in Eldorado Canyon is cold as ice and snow covers the approach trails in Clear Creek Canyon, there's only one place for the hard-core rock climber to go: indoors.
Sure, indoor climbing gyms offer a great place for climbers to stay in shape over the winter. But these days, indoor climbing gyms aren't just for the experts. Most gyms also welcome families and beginners, offering basic classes, kids' birthday parties and a welcoming atmosphere.
"It's more accessible; it's easier to do," said John Kruse, co-owner of Rock'n & Jam'n, which has two locations in the metro area. "It clearly has less risk and fewer things to worry about, fewer variables than outdoors."
Climbing inside is a time-saver and offers plenty of variety, says Brett Merlin, marketing coordinator and manager at The Spot, a bouldering gym in Boulder.
"A lot of people do it for the convenience factor," he said. "Working professionals in Boulder don't have time to get away. If you wanted to train outside, you wouldn't find the density of problems we have here at The Spot."
Kruse agrees that climbing inside can build strength.
"You just can't beat the workout that you can get in the gym," Kruse said. "Climbers will be in their best shape come spring. The outdoor season is about sending their projects."
For established climbers, the gym will be familiar - it's just that the molded holds have colored tape marking routes of different difficulty.
Those considering climbing for the first time will want to take an introductory class to learn the ropes, so to speak. All of the five gyms in the metro area offer such classes. The Boulder Rock Club offers both coed and women-only classes, and sales specialist Jill Salva says that's a great way to get started. The four-session classes cost $175, and include plenty of extras.
"You're meeting people who have the same interest, you're getting a month's free membership at the gym and you're getting the gear as well."
So if you're a beginner or an expert, here's the info you need to know get indoors and rock out this winter.
Glossary
* Belay: Placing the rope through a device that uses friction and typically hand control from the belayer to protect your climbing partner from falling too far. This is a key skill that must be learned to climb safely.
* Bouldering: Climbing without a rope, typically only 12 feet or less above a heavily padded base. No partner needed, though spotters may be useful.
* Top-roping: Ropes are attached at the top of the climb, with the belayer taking in slack as the climber goes higher.
* Lead climbing: Using an unattached rope to clip into pre-placed carabiners on the climbing wall, while the belayer gives out rope from the ground.
* Autobelay: An automatic device that an individual climber may clip into and climb. The device automatically lowers the climber when he or she lets go of the wall.
Climbing gym tips
* Most gyms offer a day pass, punch cards or various monthly memberships.
* You'll be asked to sign a standard safety waiver. Kids will need parents to sign. Most gyms keep a database of climbers once you've filled out the form.
* Take a class or lesson to get started. It's a good way to meet other climbers, as well as learn the ropes.
* Get the proper gear - a harness that fits snugly and shoes you like, along with a belay device that you're comfortable using. Consider renting first to try things out.
* You'll be tested on belaying and lead climbing before you're allowed to do either.
* Realize that climbing indoors is far different and considerably more controlled than climbing outdoors. Don't expect to climb or lead the same grades outside initially. The holds aren't marked and conditions vary.
Boulder Rock Club
2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder; totalclimbing.com
* Type of climbing: top rope, lead, bouldering; 16- to 35-foot walls; 8 autobelays
* Size: 8,000 square feet of climbing area
* Cost: $17
* Classes: Beginner, intermediate, lead climbing, professional coaching
* Other features: full fitness center, yoga and aerobics classes, massage and alternative therapies, 34-foot slide
* Atmosphere: "It is family oriented. I think some people seem very surprised at that," said Jill Salva.
* Celebrity climbers: Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Emily Harrington, Lynn Hill
Rock'n & Jam'n 1
9499 N. Washington St., Thornton; rocknandjamn.com
* Type of climbing: top rope, lead, bouldering, 37-foot walls; three autobelays
* Size: 9,000 square feet of climbing area
* Cost: $15 prime time; $10 off hours
* Classes: introductory, intermediate, learn-to-lead classes, advanced techniques
* Other features: weight room, aerobic equipment
* Atmosphere: "Welcoming to climbers of all levels. We get some lead climbers here, but we get beginners, intermediates, moms, dads and kids," said John Kruse.
* Celebrity climbers: Andy Raether, Emily Harrington
Rock'n & Jam'n 2
7390 S. Fraser St., Centennial; rocknandjamn.com
* Type of climbing: top rope, lead, bouldering; 40-foot walls; three autobelays
* Size: 8,000 square feet of climbing area
* Cost: $15 prime time; $10 off hours
* Classes: introductory, intermediate, learn-to-lead classes, advanced techniques
* Other features: weight room, aerobic equipment
* Atmosphere: Appeals to newer climbers, families
* Celebrity climbers: Not so much
Thrillseekers
1912 S. Broadway, thrillseekers.cc
* Type of climbing: bouldering, top roping, lead climbing; up to 35-foot walls
* Size: five lead walls, 40 top ropes
* Cost: $13
* Classes: introductory lessons, lead climbing
* Other features: 10-foot campus board, pull-up boards, some free weights, retail climbing equipment sales
* Atmosphere: Laid-back, according to manager Scott Sills.
* Celebrity climbers: Every climber is a celeb, Sills says
The Spot Bouldering Gym
3240 Prairie Ave., Boulder; thespotgym.com
* Type of climbing: bouldering, a few topropes
* Size: 10,000-plus square feet
* Cost: $15
* Classes: indoor instruction and outdoor guiding
* Other features: Bouldering competitions, weight facility, conference room, yoga studio; typically, site of national bouldering championships
* Atmosphere: "Fun, social, a good place to network with others," said Brett Merlin.
* Celebrity climbers: Lynn Hill, Daniel Woods, Paul Robinson
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